Wyoming Artists' Association

Vanda's Pastel 9x12 untitled... from the workshop

Mike Beeman

It was the first time for me to meet the artists from across Wyoming at the annual convention of the members of the Wyoming Artists' Association, held each year the first weekend of May and at the city of the President.  The weekend was packed full with the exhibit of art, workshops, meetings and of course food and entertainment.  The excitement for me was the workshop with Mike Beeman who flings his pastels into dreamy, soft visions.   His visual voice seems effortless, but is really based on his years of training and as he states, taking time to paint EVERY day.  You will want to see  more of Mike's work.  http://mikebeeman.com/ 

Great Harvest Bread Company

Spring Scent  5x7 Pastel 

So what does bread have to do with art you my be asking?  They are a new Art Partner and you can see some of my floral paintings when you stop by to get your baked goods, coffee or soup and sandwich for lunch. The store is at 5249 Yellowstone Road in Cheyenne.  Sharon and Dwight have created a charming store and along with their family of six kids.  Open Monday through Friday from way early until 5 PM.  Check my Locations Link to see other places to see my art.  The Student show at LCCC just closed, however I will have all new pieces at Halley Murray & Smith CPA's this week. 

A Lesson

Morning Light 9x12

My Grandson Sam paid me a compliment last week when he asked if would teach him how to paint in pastel.  Sam is creative in his music (Plays sax In jazz band and has his own group of musician friends) along with drawing and graphics.   I am new enough at this art thing to wonder how to teach, since I am still learning.  So I pulled out Beginners Guide to Pastel, the book I used when I began.  Morning Light was from the lessons, completed in 2010.  


http://www.amazon.com/The-Beginners-Guide-Pastels-Step-By-Step/dp/1853686042


It has step by step instructions for using pastel.  He took to the medium and did a pointillism piece, which he decided wasn't his style.  He borrowed a reference photo and has started a second piece of a duck in water.  He liked the lines in Morning Light and is learning how to layer his strokes.  He cropped the picture, studied the values and chose a palette.  He is showing some talent and enjoys the pastel as much as I.

Walk as one at 1

Garden Labyrinth at Cheyenne Botanic Gardens

You should know that we have a labyrinth in Cheyenne.  I walked on a labyrinth  for the first time in 2000 and discovered the subtle power of that circular form.  As with all my endeavours I dove in and discovered labyrinths across the globe, found like souls here in Cheyenne and in 2001 we created a grass labyrinth at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens.  http://www.botanic.org/discover/the-gardens/explore-the-gardens/garden-labyrinth/

Shortly after that creation another group formed and we raised $70,000 through the CBG foundation to create the Garden Labyrinth which is made from stone.  Rachel Preston-Prinz designed the labyrinth as part of our committee.  http://archinia.com/     So now you have a chance to experience the Labyrinth.

World Labyrinth Day

Walk as One at 1

May 5^th, 2012 1:00 pm

World Labyrinth Day is a day that brings people together from all over the planet in celebration of the labyrinth as a symbol, a tool,  a passion or a practice.  Meet at 12:30 near the Peace Garden to learn more about the lbyrinth and begin the walk at 1 PM.   For more information  labyrinthsociety.org  or email me at enliven.art@gmail.com

Shows and Shows and Shows

Pure Pigment Reception

Art Shows are springing up.   So you know that Pure Pigment opened at the WOW gallery in Laramie yesterday.  Gail and I had a nice collection of friends and met some new folks at the demo.  Jeanie Schlump, a brilliant pastel painter, enjoyed trying out pan pastels.  http://jeanieschlump.com/


And remember you still have time to see the Western Spirit Show http://www.oldwestmuseum.org/western_spirit_art_show_2012.aspx 

Old Mill pastel 8x6

in Cheyenne at the Old West Museum.   
This show runs through April 15th,  The Old Mill, Ivy and Aster and Helianthus are there with more than 200 pieces of art from 130 artists selected from across the nation. 


The next show, the Cheyenne Artists Guild annual Easter Show, will open April 3rd.  It is a tradition to visit the Guild on Easter Sunday, see the show and visit with the community.    Rejoice and Raw Chocolate will be on display.  

Pure Pigment

Pure Pigment. Just what does that mean? Pastel is pure pigment, the same pigment used in making all fine art paints. A bit of binder holds the pigment intact. As opposed to mixing color, as in oil painting, each stick of pastel owns its own hue. The word pastel does not mean a muted or toned down set of color as you will find a pastel stick in 1000's of colors. You have a chance to discover more about the medium of pastel at a demo' on Saturday March 24th at Works of Wyoming in Laramie from 2 to 4 PM. the Laramie Plains Civic Centre is at 710 Garfield and find WOW is in Suite 271.
Gail Watford and Vanda Edington will show their pastel art and you can pick up a pastel and feel the soft velvety texture and create you own mini masterpiece.  Hope to see you there!
Oh,  don't forget to visit the http://www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum/ while in Laramie... Open 1-5 Monday through Saturday.