Holiday Magic in Manitou

 Don't miss the Holiday 100 miniature show and sale on
Sunday, November 26th, from 1 to 4 pm.-
a festive opportunity designed to help you start  -or polish off- your holiday shopping,
- AND guaranteed to be more inspirational than pushing that behemoth shopping cart thru  a big box store.
Give ART this season - it's holds its' value (think Antiques Roadshow), your purchase supports small business, AND it shows your good taste - without having to go to Christie's and bid like a high roller.
GREAT artists will be featured at this show, with work created especially for it.  You can be sure there will be something for everyone - all very affordable - priced especially for the holidays. 
Holiday 100 miniature show and sale, 
Sunday, November 26th, from 1 to 4 pm.
at the TracyMiller Gallery, 16 Ruxton  Ave., Manitou Springs, CO.


Take a break from Black Friday madness and indulge in a trip to Manitou Springs for some holiday magic - and get some shopping done along the way.
Located at the base of the Pikes Peak Cograil and only about 15 minutes from Colorado Springs, the Tracy Miller Gallery will host the Holiday 100 show through December 31st.
These pieces here are just a few of the miniatures I painted for the show. Have a great weekend.

Colors of the West - Landscapes We Love

The Tracy Miller Gallery presents

Colors of the West - Landscapes We Love

Opening - Sat., May 7th,  4-7pm

Western Landscape show that pays homage to our beautiful and diverse Western Landscape. 

All new work by Coni Grant;

 this group show will also feature the work of
Rose Collins, Ray-Mel Cornelius, Greg Dye, Sushe Felix, Tracy Felix,
Randy Honerlah, Buffalo Kaplinski, Deb Komitor,
Laura Reilly and Peggy Trigg.

 16 Ruxton Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO 80829  

Call: 719-650-0827

Tim Deibler in His Studio

A couple of weeks ago I had a chance to visit Tim Deibler in his studio overlooking the Spanish Peaks in southern Colorado.
I tagged along with Tracy Miller of the Tracy Miller Gallery in Manitou Springs, as she interviewed Tim for a feature on her gallery website.

I met Tim a few years back when we showed together at Art for the Sangres in Westcliffe, CO - and I was excited to just
be a "fly on the wall" -
Ha!

Turned out to be more of a party;
Tim’s relaxed style belies his amazing work ethic and we could have chatted the morning away gawking at his art collection, his HUGE art library and his stockpile of what looked like thousands of stacked plein air paintings. He let it fall rather casually that he really didn’t market the plein air work so much but saw it as the path to improving his work. That, being his goal as a professional painter- and his “job” everyday -  to improve the work
- and the right people will find it.
And so they have: Tim has authored a wonderful book on landscape painting  “Capturing the Seasons in Oil” and you can see his work in places like the Brown Hotel in Denver where a huge mountain aspen scene dominates the front desk area. He was also featured as the cover artist for the 2014  L.L.Bean Christmas Catalog. You cannot BUY advertising like that.
Faith is a guiding principal in Tim’s life and work, and his gentle and generous outlook seem to flow naturally from it.
This weekend the 13th annual “Representing the West” Show opened at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center and Tim’s huge sunset over the Spanish Peaks is the piece that opens the show- it is a stunner.
See more photos and read the interview in it’s entirety at studio-visit-with-tim-deibler.

Holiday Treasures

Looking for a fun way to start your holiday shopping -
that does not involve appliances or big screen TVs?
Head to historic Manitou Springs, Colorado on Saturday, November 29th, where  the fun begins at the Holiday Miniature Show and sale from 4 to 7 pm  at the TracyMiller Gallery,
16 Ruxton  Ave.

Holiday Miniature shows pop up everywhere at this time of year and are the best places to buy work from established, and emerging artists,  - for the best prices.
With so many great artists featured at this show, you can be sure there will be something for everyone - all very affordable.
The Christmas Season is also a wonderful time to be in Manitou Springs; located between Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak,
this fun and festive mountain town is a hotbed of galleries, unique shopping, restaurants, and family attractions- especially inviting at this time of year.
This show will continue in Manitou Springs, at the TracyMiller Gallery, through the end of December.
These pieces here are just a few of the miniatures I painted for the show. Have a great weekend.

TracyMiller Gallery Presents
100 for $100
2^nd Annual Holiday Art Show and Sale

“Sangre Summer”  oil   5” x 5”   ©Coni Grant  SOLD

“Stars & Snow”  oil   4” x 4”   ©Coni Grant  SOLD

Featuring: Coni Grant, Karen Anderson, Danyl Cook, Nancye Culbreath, Lorraine Danzo,

Mark Day, Will Ersland, Patrice Filler, David Gonzales, Ded Komitor,

Shar McClure, Audrie Mergelman, Tracy Miller, Laura Reilly, Jack Risley & Sue Tormoen

Opening Reception Sat. Nov. 30^th  3 ~ 6pm
16 Ruxton Ave., Manitou Springs, CO
Show continues through Dec. 31^st

Hot and Smokey Days of Summer

June 21st  I had the opportunity to host the TracyMiller Gallery during the 3rd Friday Manitou Springs Artwalk. I painted, promoted my show at the Phantom Canyon Brewery in Colorado Springs, and had a chance to meet many art collectors from that area - some who had homes burned in the Waldo Canyon Fire last June.

Here it is a year later and  Friday morning, as I drove toward Colorado Springs, I skirted the Southfork fire to the west of Alamosa and the East Peak Spanish Peaks fires to the east, - through Canon City, which suffered a fire that took out almost everything surrounding the Royal Gorge Bridge.  Fortunately, the bridge was spared.  This June has been tough for our state and especially for Colorado Springs.  Some folks who came through the gallery were just moving back into places that only days before had been evacuated because of the horrendous Black Forest Fire that destroyed over 500 homes.
In spite of fires and mayhem, Manitou had an upbeat feel and a lot of art lovers came through the gallery which features my work and that of Tracy Miller, Laura Reilly, Deb Komitor, William Ersland Buffalo Kaplinski and Audrie Mergelman. Thanks all.

ps. Tracy painted the wall of the gallery to show off my piece "Pony Trail".
I think I like it.

Manitou Springs 3rd Friday Artwalk

I will be in Manitou Springs this Friday night, June 21st from 5pm to 9pm,  for their 3rd Friday ARTWalk,  - painting a demo and hosting at the TracyMiller Gallery  in Manitou.   Just a short drive from downtown Colorado Springs, take US-24 West;  exit at West Manitou Ave. and follow it up to the top of the street to the round about and go left on Ruxton to the TracyMiller Gallery at 16 Ruxton.


After strolling Manitou,  you can enjoy dinner at the Phantom Canyon Brewing Company,  in nearby Colorado Springs and view 24 pieces of oversize work created specifically for this venue, by 
myself and Tracy Miller, of the TracyMiller Gallery in Manitou. The WILDLAND.WILDLIFE show will hang all of JUNE and JULY.
Check it out; good art, good food, good brew - at a first rate venue.
Phantom Canyon Brewing Company is located at 2 E.Pikes Peak Ave., in Colorado Springs.

WILD Times in Colorado Springs

I am very excited about this show that just went up at the Phantom Canyon Brewing Company, one of Colorado Springs' most distinctive event spaces/ brewery.
Myself and Tracy Miller, of the TracyMiller Gallery in Manitou have put together 24 over size pieces specifically for this show that will hang all of JUNE & JULY.
Colorado Springs is a new art market for me and having a chance to show so much work, and BIG work, is a great opportunity. 
So, if you are in the area check it out; good art, good food, good brew - at a first rate venue.
And a huge 'Thank You' to Tracy Miller, who lassoed me for this gig and to Abby Kreuser, of the Kreuser Gallery who curated the show.
Phantom Canyon Brewing Company is located at 2 E.Pikes Peak Ave., in Colorado Springs.

June 21st, I will also be in town to promote this show at the Manitou 3rd Friday ARTWalk:
Friday night, June 21, from 5 pm to 9pm - I will be painting a demo and hosting at the TracyMiller Gallery located at 16 Ruxton Ave., in Manitou Springs - just a short drive from downtown Colorado Springs.

Saturday morning, June 22, from 10 am to 3 pm, I will be back up at the Gallery to conduct a one day Painting Workshop. Look to the right,  under WORKSHOP for more info about that.

WorkShop in Colorado Springs

Join me for a ONE DAY workshop:
Saturday, June 22 from 10 am to 3 pm, in Manitou Springs, at the Fare Bella Gallery, 14 Ruxton, in Manitou, just a short drive from downtown Colorado Springs.

The workshop will focus on design and color interpretation, and how to organize visual info to create better paintings.
This is a workshop to benefit students at all levels and is open to all mediums.
Workshop price is $75. for the day, and class size is limited to 8.
To reserve a spot - contact me through my website at  Coni Grant.com or call Tracy Miller at the TracyMiller Gallery - 719-650-0827.

Manitou is one of the oldest small town destinations in Colorado; known for art and home to the Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway that takes passengers to the top of Pikes Peak at 14, 115 feet.  Downtown Manitou is packed with charm, and just a short drive from Colorado Springs.
FareBella Gallery is right next to the TracyMiller Gallery where I show my work, and where I will be featured at the Manitou ARTwalk on Friday night, June 21st from 5 to 9 pm.

100 Miniatures - each at $100

The Holiday Miniature show, 100 for $100,  that opened this last weekend at the Tracy Miller Gallery in Manitou Springs was a big success- and a breath of fresh air.  People came from all over the Colorado Springs area and actually seemed more interested in the work than the food.  Many collectors came ready to buy art after losing everything in homes that burned in the Waldo Canyon fire this summer. Lots of art went out the door but there are still minis to be had. To purchase any of the pieces shown here simply contact the Tracy Miller Gallery at 719-650-0827.
Click on any of the photos to view the work larger.

These small pieces come framed and ready to make great gifts or treasures to enjoy for yourself. All are easy to ship and at $100. each - they are priced to move.


We had a great opening and I am very excited to be associated with this gallery and the other artists that it represents.
Check out the work of other contemporary artists such as Tracy Miller,  Laura Reilly and Deb Komitor.

100 Miniatures Show

These small works are so easy to purchase and easy to ship - in time for Christmas.

To view minis larger, simply click on the image.
To buy any of the pieces shown here simply contact the Tracy Miller Gallery at 719-650-0827.

More Miniatures

Friday, November 30th I will be in historic Manitou Springs at the Tracy Miller Studio Gallery on 16 Ruxton  Ave. for the Holiday Miniature Show and sale from 6 to 9 pm.  The piece above, "Stars and Snow" is one of the 20 miniatures I painted for this show.
Miniature shows pop up everywhere at the holidays and are the best places to buy work from established, as well as emerging artists, for the best prices.
12 artists are featured at this show and there will be something for everyone - all very affordable. Christmas is also a great time to be in Manitou Springs; located between Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak, this fun and festive mountain town is a hotbed of galleries, unique shopping, restaurants, and family attractions- especially inviting at this time of year.
Have a great weekend.

Holiday Miniature Shows

It is THAT time of year:
you're thinking - Christmas shopping, decorations, making a list - checking it twice. . .
I am thinking - it's the SMALL time of year - when artists tie themselves into a pretzel to paint miniature masterpieces that will sell at rock bottom prices at galleries all over the country.
I tell myself every year to start early - like 2 years ago - in order to be ready for holiday shows-
Insert sigh here. . .
One of those great holiday shows is the Taos Hearts & Stars fund raiser, coming up November 24 in Taos - but more about that later. This year I will also be in the Holiday Show at Tracy Miller Studio Gallery in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

So back in October I started putting together 20 miniature paintings ranging in size from 3"x 3" to 5"x 5".  They have taken over my studio and, I think, my life.
For the art lover, this is an opportunity to get an original painted gem at an affordable price and buy for the other art lovers on your Christmas list.
For the artist, the challenge of painting small, is only the beginning.  Working out framing and presentation can take more time than for large work.
These are just a few of the miniature paintings I will have at the Holiday Show in Manitou at the Tracy Miller Gallery.
Click on any images to view them larger.

Class Notes: Getting Small

For the artist, the challenge of painting small is only the beginning.  Working out framing and presentation is a big part of the package.
My work tends to be contemporary and I like a clean look.
I have my framer make a simple frame in 6"x 6" and
5"x 7" sizes. It is a tidy and consistent presentation -  I like that.

Once framing issues are resolved the problems of small work have a lot to do with scale and using brushes in a size that will maintain the same "painting voice" that appears in larger work.
I try for as few strokes of the brush, as possible,  to create shapes that will hold the integrity of the design - as opposed to pulling out the tiny brushes and - well, you know - trying to see how many angels can be painted on the head of a pin.
With small paintings I work for more disciplined brushwork that leads to a straight forward, loose and non-fussy end product.

These pieces are painted on 1/4 inch gatorboard - which is the same type of support I use for all of my work.
The gatorboard is cut to size, gessoed on top and sides, painted as I would any other piece, except to make sure that the sides get attention as well, because they will show. Once the paintings are dry, they are glued onto black foam board so they appear to"float" in the frame.