Tis The Season

Dazzle pastel at RSVP through December 19th

 Yes it tis the season for finding that special little gift and there are many unique venues for your shopping.  

Don't miss the Duck Barn Artisans beginning Friday, November 22nd through Saturday, December 14th, open Monday through Saturday 10 to 5.  I have my mini mini pastels along cards and original paintings priced for gift giving. 

Next plan to see the art at the Civic Center with the National Arts Program as well as at the Library with the RSVP annual show where both Don and I have our art.  If you are in Laramie stop by Works of Wyoming for their holiday show.  

In December visit the Nagle Warren B&B to see the show of fine art photography. 

Begin Again, photographer Don Edington

It's All About Pastel

Thistles by Jeannette Stutzman and Karen Henneck

You all know my medium of choice is pastel.   This year the theme for the Art Design and Dine is based on the various mediums artists employ.  This month two artists, members of the Pastel Society of Colorado, will show their work created in pastel at the Nagle Warren mansion.   The show is open now and the reception is the second Thursday, November 14th from 5 to 8 PM.  If you miss meeting the artists at the reception the show is open through the 30th.   Jeannette is from Evergreen Colorado and Karen is from Casper.   Don't miss this opportunity to see their pastel paintings. 

Blackhawk Gallery, Saratoga

100 N 1st. Saratoga Wyoming 

Saratoga is known for their hot springs, their trout,  darn friendly residents and the Black Hawk Gallery.  

Patty Lufkin took over the Black Hawk Gallery more than 20 years ago. Along with her manager Gwen Gorton and Kim Sikes  they have created a dynamic galley in Saratoga representing more than 40 artists.  I am very excited to tell you they now represent me. 

I felt it was time to have a gallery. Gwen made me feel so welcome when she took my portfolio and said the team would discuss my work and let me know.  Be sure to make Saratoga a destination soon, before the snow flies and the Gallery has limited hours.  

Original art, jewelry, sculpture, troll beads, books  and more

And the added bonus to you visit to Black Hawk is Laura M's boutique right next door. 

Rawlins Times has a article on Black Hawk.   Gwen plans to rebuild the website this winter when the Gallery has limited hours. 

Tell Gwen howdy from Vanda when you stop by. 

Saratoga

Jery Palen and Vanda in his studio in Saratoga

Saturday's trip to Saratoga was multi-faceted.  Don was the driver and Barbara Wolf, my good friend, came along.  We stopped at Black Hawk Gallery to visit with Gwen and Patty about representing me.  After a quick overview of Saratoga and the hot springs we stopped by to visit Jerry and Ann Plaen.  WOW!!!  The home was designed for the vista of the river with a north facing studio for Jerry and Ann's office nearby.   The foyer serves as a gallery for work in process or special pieces that Jerry will never sell.

The studio was such a treat to view.  If you own a Palen you might see your painting created from the inspiration out his windows.  The plywood behind me is a huge mirror, an artist's tool to view the work in progress and make adjustments.  At least 100 brushes and his oils were tidy in his work space and numerous pieces for his bronze work were in progress.  I loved his memory wall with autographed cartoons from many notables. 

Jerrry's memory wall

Ann & Jerry Palen, Vanda, Barbar Wolf

His Governor's proclamation from the annual art awards was my favorite as the calligrapher was Bruni Naylor, a dear person that is no longer with us.  After the home tour and his manicured gardens we headed out as the weekend was the first viewing of color along the road to Brush Creek, Ryan Park and on to Centennial.  Magnificent Wyoming scenery for Don to capture on his Nikon!  A quick stop at WOW in Laramie to drop paintings and prints and home again.  

Time's Up

 The Signature Show for the Pastel Society of Colorado members is closing this Saturday.  The The Great Frame Up in Longmont hosted the show.  My Pastel Pal, Gail took these photos yesterday when she stopped in Longmont to see the show.   Check out the  Pastel Society of Colorado

My three pieces at the show

Plain Shapes
The Gros Ventre
Summer's End

                                   http://mikebeeman.com/
                                   http://www.gailwatford.com/
                               

Mike Beeman & Gail Watford

                                     

                                     

Traffic Control Boxes

You may be asking what on earth does this nondescript utility box, controlling all manner of traffic signals, have to do with enLiven? Well let me tell you.  The Leadership Cheyenne Class of 2013 has chosen their project to beautify Cheyenne to have original art created, printed on a "skin, and turn the boxes into a work of art.  I am one of the ten artists that will have their art downtown.  The size of the box is perfect for my 10x20 paintings.  I plan to create poppies, Indian Paintbrush and Iris and choose which piece is used for the project. The original piece will be auctioned at the Boo Ball in October. 

                                                      Which flower will you want to see?   

17th Street Art Festival

You can't miss a fantastic collection of artists this Friday and Saturday at 17th Street Art Festival.  Don and I were both juried into this wonderful set of artist from the region.  I will have my pastels, some inspired from Dons Photo imagery.  See you there!

Castilleja framed, 16x20

Castillega pastel , 9x12

Show Me Pastel

Fresh cut from Don's garden

 Amy will do it all in her life! She is staying with us for five weeks in her training rotation, as a Physician's Assistant from Chatham University, at the Cheyenne VA hospital.  She has taken in the Rodeo, shopped for boots and helped Don begin a photography session for Sam's senior portrait.  We are  exploring vegetarian  cuisine. Her presence has enLivend our lives.  So when she wanted to have a pastel lesson I was thrilled.  You all know my passion is pastel.  She completed her painting in record time as her previous lessons and love of art are imprinted.  A new convert to pastel!

Vanda & Amy with her first pastel. 

Amy's Link  and A Patient A Day blog.   Before Amy began her new career as a PA she and her husband Maurice were in the  Photography business in San Diego.

Better Stick to Pastel

Vanda & Barbara at the LCL Maker Workshop

Our Laramie County Library is so much more than lending books.  The maker workshop by Connie Norman was packed with many eager artisans ready to create ceramics just like Connie's.  I  have collected several pieces of her work and eagerly signed up along with my friend Barbara.  Connie demonstrated the various steps to making a slab cup, just like hers.  Roll that clay and scrap the clay and form the clay and mold the clay and smooth the clay.  Create a design and wa-la ready to fire.  Hum..  maybe a bit lopsided and a few letters were backward and askew.  Ah well firing and glazing might hide the flaws.  Nuf said.   A wonderful experience and a deep appreciation for Connie's marvelous creations.  I will get back to my pastel painting soon.  

Cups from the workshop

Annual Art Show at the NICI in Centennial

Secluded Pond Pastel 12x9

Arlene Gregory is the organizer of the art sale during the 4th of July celebration at the NICI Self Museum in Centennial.  This is a great museum and a portion of the  proceeds from the art show help support the heritage of Centennial.  This year the sale is July 6th and 7th.  I have three pieces in the sale and you will also see photography by Don.  I know Gail Watford and Barbara Wolf also have their art along with Linda Gregory.  So pop over the hill and see this unique show with many regional artists. NICI Self Museum

Governor's Capitol Art Exhibition

Brushes of Brilliance Pastel 

Woopee!

For the second year I had a piece in the Gov's show.  I was delighted to be at the reception this year as Kristin was here from Seattle to share in the event.  She is a big supporter of my art avocation called pastel.  She sent me my first set of Terry Ludwig pastels for mom's day several years ago. 

The Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition and Sale began when Governor Jim Geringer realized that there were not enough pieces of Wyoming artwork to display in the Governor’s office. The other elected officials’ offices also wanted artworks to exhibit. Several pieces are added to this collection each year.

Even more exciting was my email from David Newell to tell me my piece sold.

Art of the Earth

Jennifer Rife invited me and two other artists, Connie Norman and Georgia Rowswell, to exhibit this summer at our Laramie County Library with a theme of the summer reading program, Dig In.  Jennifer is so creative to focus the work with the title, Of, Above and From Art of the Earth.  Connie's clay sculptures are of the earth, while Georgia's inspiration for her series of topography is above the earth.  My flowers stem from the earth.

Please meet the Artists on Tuesday, June 11th and enjoy learning a bit more about each of us as we present our vision and inspiration.

Connie Norman
 



Georgia Rowswell

Show Season

What About Those Ames Boys - Pastel 20x10

I took a deep breath today as I realized how many shows were on the horizon.  Tomorrow the RailArt show opens at the Cheyenne Depot.  It is just part of the Depot Days with so many activities. The Reception is at 6 PM Friday the 17th.

Photo of Ames the night we were STUCK

We visited Ames a few months ago but the spring palette were the hues I wanted. I am enjoying the feel of the panorama size.  Come see it in person and let me know what you feel.

The 47th Annual National Greeley Art Exhibition and Sale will be at the Greeley City Hall, 1000 10th Street, from June 3 through June 14, 2013, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. I have two pastels juried into this show and Don has three photographers. That reception is Saturday June 1 from 5:30 to 8 PM.  Tickets are $10 and benefit young artists financial aid.  Sixty artists were chosen with 130 pieces of art on display. Summers End , 10x20, is a new piece for you to see.

Check the Locations Link to see more shows coming up this summer.

 

 

Meet Romy Owens

http://romyowens.com/

 

You might know we love to travel.  World wide as well as to the smallest city in each state.  Last week I was at the Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City and had time to take in the city with an amazing Art Museum.  http://www.okcmoa.com/ It featured a 40 foot tall Chihuly glass sculpture and an exquisite collection of his glass.  But the high point of the trip was meeting Romy.  She was selected as the first Artist in Residence at the Skrivin hotel, a historic building completely restored in 2007.  

 http://journalrecord.com/2012/10/02/romy-owens-x-skirvin-cool-squared-opinion/

 

Romy creates in photography.  She also knits.  A creative spirit at work.  Her large pieces don't resemble any traditional photography, but are a mosaic of her images, carefully spliced with intricate hand stitching to form her impressions.  The piece in the picture took 600 hours to complete and will someday be sold for $39,000, as Romy states, most likely to a business. 

 

To know more abut this creative force click her link and go to her blog.   Tell her Vanda said Hi.

Take Three Snow Days

 

 

It started snowing Sunday, and by Tuesday schools and offices were closing. I pulled out some reference photos from last spring, the iris were irresistible. Having just finished a workshop with Mike Beeman I worked through the steps for creating a great painting. First find the value map. I keep it simple. Not having the Value Viewer, a great little app created by Mark Putman, I make a copy of my reference photo in black and white.  I was happy with the composition as I had cropped the original photo.   Next I chose a palette and realized I needed an even a darker purple to create the shapes of the iris.  I used the analogous color wheel to find a discord to keep the eye moving.   The snow has stopped so the time to really paint, not just do a quick study, may not begin again for a bit.  This painting in pastel is 10x20 and is Irresistible on this cold April day. 

Our early summer iris from last year... oh for Spring...

 

 

 



It's All About Watercolor

Watercolor by Vicky Russell

I am the Gallery Coordinator for the Nagle Warren Mansion venue for our in town art tour, Art Design and Dine http://artdesigndine.org/

I love finding new artists to profile.  This year I also decided it might be fun to create shows based on the medium.  You know how much I love pastel and can show it and talk about it for hours.  Well Vicky Russell of Loveland And Carole Eppler of Cheyenne will do that at  the reception next Thursday the 11th from 5 to 8 PM at the Nagle and show their favorite medium, watercolor.  You can see their combined show and learn more about why and how they create their art in watercolor.  If you miss the reception (with the NWM special blend of Earl Gray tea and something special Sandy will create) the show runs through the month of April and is open from 9 to 5 everyday.



Watercolors by Carole Eppler

Just Paint Every Day

Mike Beeman recently taught two workshops at the Cheyenne Artists Guild.  http://mikebeeman.com/  You know we hear it again and again however this time it stuck. You must paint every day to improve you work. 

I have heard of an artist assign a study of the same object 100 times. Mike said to paint from a still life, not a photo, 20 times.  First paint a value study, monochromatic. Next try the composition in complimentary colors then use a triad palette.  Paint again with an under painting and finally paint in the hues you see. I am using Canson paper, not sanded Wallis. so the whole experience is opening my eyes.  

I will say the exercise is beneficial.  This weekend is CLICK the symposium of Wyoming artists all meeting in Laramie.  Don't tell Mike I will miss a few days.  

The Study of Color

Add caption

After a fab four years studying art, developing a visual voice, learning about composition, creating pastel pieces; I decided this is the year for color. This image is from Moses Harris created in 1766. A piece of art in its own right but the basis of so much we know today as color theory. Gail (my pastel pal) and I are enrolled in the Water Based Medium at LCCC this semester. No, I am not going to paint in watercolor, however I am enjoying studying color and mixing color. For me it is not easy to get the proper proportions of pigment to even create the colors you see on the wheel.  What I do love is assimilating the combinations of color, the theories of complementary colors, the triadic pallete, values and most of all the enchantment of creating in glorious color. Check out David Kidd and his in depth site related to color.  http://www.davidkidd.net/Color_wheel_palette.html   Or search on Steven Quiller for even more discussion on color. 

 

For more on color I pulled out my Richard McKinley book Pastel Pointers. He relates the elements in the Munsell Color Wheel theory created by Albert Munsell, from the turn of the century, with the study of the human visual response to color.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munsell_color_system

 

So let this be my year of color, discovering all the unexplained in those wheels. 

 

 

 

 

Origami Hearts

It is always fun to attend an artist reception and this one has an added bonus. Win Ratz, skilled in all manner of origami, will lead a heart origami demo and let you fold one for your valentine. Do Palma will show you the process of creating fiber art. And you will enjoy refreshments from the artists and the famous earl gray tea blend from the Nagle Warren Mansion. Maybe you will discover a perfect gift for your valentine.  So see you Sunday, February 10th between 1 and 4 at the mansion. 

 

Dazzle on display, pastel 18x24

Quiet

http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com/

Yes this is my blog related to enLiven and the pursuit of art.  After spending much of fall and even now in this early winter, marketing, developing show opportunities and deciding shows that may be entered, I am not in creating mode.   My daughter first mentioned this author in a TED talks.  http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com/

I am reading (listening actually on CD)  and it is a poignant reminder of how quiet and time to contemplate is imperative to the creative process.   While the book relates to how those that are introverted are labeled quiet, those qualities are the ones that many of the great contributions to society--from van Gogh’s sunflowers to the invention of the personal computer. She relates that the qualities of the introvert relate to the power of creativity. 

Point taken.  I need to make more quiet time.