Old Friend/ New Space

An old friend came into my studio recently - "Wow! Do I know you?"
Actually, it was this painting - purchased over 10 years ago by our local hospital for their conference/ education wing.
At that time I was ecstatic but could not afford to have it framed - so it appeared like a large picture window looking out into the woods - and thus named "Into The Woods".

This past Spring the curator of the hospital collection notified me that it would be the feature piece for the new Oncology waiting room.  I felt very honored, to say the least but it was also my chance to do a little restoration and have it framed properly.
Having this piece back in the studio was fun, and interesting - looking closely at something that I had put all I had into - back then.
Also interesting, was how compelling the desire to change or "fix" it;
 maybe a little  update, bringing new skills to bear  . . .

Except for minor restoration and varnish, I let it go untouched.
I see it like a moment in time, my time - but for the folks viewing it for the first time- it is a whole new experience.
Over the years the hospital foundation has purchased many of my paintings; I am so grateful for their support, and grateful to be a part of the community of artists represented there.

Thanks to the San Luis Valley Health Foundation for supporting ART in our valley, for the purchase of REAL art, and for recognizing it's importance to the health and well being of our entire community.

PLACES and SPACES

February 14th was the reception for my solo exhibition
"Places and Spaces" highlighting work of the San Luis Valley.
Whew!
And that big one in the photo - it has also left the building - THANKS to collectors in Kansas.

It was all so much work, but a pleasure to show in my home town - something I try to do every 2 or 3 years.  The ARTrium Gallery space, located inside our SLV Hospital is also one of the most beautiful venues in southern Colorado. I was able to show about 35 pieces during the 3 months that this show hung, and I sold over half of the work - including the one in this photo.  It was especially gratifying that buyers came to the reception from as far away as Denver and Santa Fe - and carried work home with them.
Thanks to the SLVHRMC Hospital Foundation for providing such a great ART space and one that is also enjoyed on a daily basis by doctors, nurses and many patients on their way into surgery or back to recovery. The SLV Medical Center owns several pieces of mine - as part of their permanent collection.
- another reason why I love this place. Thanks so much friends.

Winter Dreams of Summer's End

This plein air painting, done at the end of last summer is a part of the solo show that I hung at the beginning of December here in Alamosa at the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center ARTrium Gallery. This solo exhibition has been the major focus of my year and I felt real relief as it all came together.
A huge "Thanks"
to the San Luis Valley Medical Center for creating such a beautiful dedicated space for art in this community and for all the encouragement from the staff.  I am thrilled that 4 pieces sold right after the show went up.  The reception will be February 14th - save the date;  paintings will hang until the end of February.
I for one am happy to throw myself into the Christmas Holiday and do a little quiet non-painting meditation before heading into the new year.
Thanks to my galleries; it has not been any easy for those in the way of fire and flood here in Colorado. This is one year we are ready to see come to an end.
Thanks to folks who purchased paintings this year, from me or from other artists. Thanks for supporting art and the people who make it.
Thanks to all my students; you keep me honest and keep me on track.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, a blessed holiday season.
See you in January.

SHOW Time

Thanks Alamosa and the San Luis Valley for showing your support in such a tangible way by spending the evening with us, - and buying art.

I try not to have expectations about show openings in general- certainly, out of town shows where I might not know anyone. A home-town show though,
is a very different thing and my hope is always for a REALLY great party - period.
Last night's opening exceeded all of our hopes as so many friends, from every sphere packed out the long gallery in the Medical Center ARTium.
Mid way, we paused to enjoy an amazing panorama as the sun set over the San Juan mountains. The sun went down, lights came up and people enjoyed food and conversation late into the evening.

The Medical Center ARTrium is on the second floor and part of the route taken by doctor, nurses and many patients on their way into surgery or back to recovery. Even as we set up for the opening a large extended family had gathered to wait for one member who was having heart surgery. This ART space is a part of that world and it is especially gratifying when we hear from those people - how much they enjoy the paintings - PRICELESS.
The SLV Regional Medical Center also owns and shows original artwork by myself, Susan McCullough and David Montgomery, and many other valley artists - as part of their permanent collection.
- another reason why I love Alamosa. Thanks so much friends.

3 Friends, 3 Painters Show comes to the ARTrium

The newest version of 3Friends-3Painters opens this Friday night in the ARTrium at San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center.
New work from myself, Susan McCullough and David Montgomery - most of it painted in the landscape. Join us from 4- 7pm for the party to celebrate in one of the valley's most beautiful art venues at the SLV Regional Medical Center.

Below, we are all together at Rock Creek- it only looks like the Amazon jungle. If I recall, that day we were painting beaver ponds.

San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center ARTIUM

Right before leaving for Ghost Ranch I hung my Solo show at the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center. Curated by Katherine Benke and Insight Art Connection this show has been in the planning for almost a year. I have been looking forward to showing here for a lot longer than that though. The ARTRIUM Gallery at the SLV Medical Center is such a beautiful venue and the perfect place for my large pieces. The hospital already owns 7 of my paintings (several of which are plein air) in their permanent collection so I have been anxious to have a showing in the 2nd Floor ARTIUM. Though many of my large paintings have gone off to galleries in Durango, Boulder and Cheyenne, these pieces, I think represent the best of my studio work, as well as the most recent.
The show will hang until December 6th.