Annual Exhibition from the 2010 Zapata Artist Invitational Gathering

This show was a result of the Artist Invitational Gathering that preceded it in late July - and a one day wonder hosted by Janet and Duke Phillips who run the Medano-Zapata Nature Conservancy Ranch in the San Luis Valley. The Zapata Ranch is a living demonstration of how cattle and bison operations can co-exist with conservation efforts.
Briefly, the "Artist Gathering" brings artists together with the Nature Conservancy and revolves around the land and people that work it. At the core, is the intent of communicating, not only the natural beauty of the area, but also the urgency of protecting vanishing spaces. The Artist Gathering in July brought 29 artists from all over the West to the Medano-Zapata Nature Conservancy Ranch. Click on the link to learn more about the Conservancy.
Very much in keeping with the "ranch" theme the show was held a the Chico Basin Ranch east of Colorado Springs. The art was displayed on stacks of hay bales - very unique and show-goers enjoyed a beautiful afternoon in the Ranch's cottonwood grove. In the photo 2nd from the top, my work hangs next to that of Bill Alther and Laura Mehmert. Below that is shot of myself with David Montgomery and his wife, Cindy Cutts, and Laura Mehmert.

A "City" Show is planned for December 4th at the Design Center in Denver that will feature larger work, inspired by our time at the Medano Zapata Ranch. I will keep you posted.

Saturday In the Zapata

The Zapata Ranch area, on the slopes of the Mount Blanca along the Sangre de Christo Mountains, borders the Great Sand Dunes National Park and is one of my favorite places to paint. It is a local treasure with amazing diversity: long views to the Great Sand Dunes and across the valley to the San Juans, areas with cactus and pinion, and running streams flow through aspen glens and deep pine forests. On Saturday Dee Bartee, Kayleith Pellandini, Richard Luckermeier, all of the San Luis Valley Painters, spent the morning painting en plein air in the Zapata. Puck, Richard's faithful friend also came along, enjoyed a swim in the lake, a chase in the woods and put up with a little water color instruction.
It was morning well spent - especially for the painters and our pieces are in the bottom photo. Click on any of the photos to view them larger.

Zapata Aspens

The attractions of this area are so numerous that choosing a spot to paint can be the hardest part. This little pond nestled in the pines was calling but not loud enough. A small stand of aspens framed by pine trees, was just getting hit by the morning sun and I knew that these shapes would be more fun to abstract.