Painting Close to Home

Well, I have been trying to get back up to Zapata this week but it was not to be. First we scheduled a paint out for Wednesday but there were too many impediments; then Friday but that won't work for other reasons so I am resigned to looking again at my back yard and the surrounding marsh. I was inspired by some of the paintings in the PAAC show that could have been painted there - I had never seen the possibilities quite that way. On the way back from Denver Sue and I discussed that very thing: bringing something fresh to familiar material; trying to make something out of nothing. I think that is what separates the men from the boys.
This is a 9"x12", Marshwood.

Winner - ARTIST CHOICE's Award

The 12th Annual PAAC Show (Plein air Painters Colorado) opened at the Abend Gallery Friday night in Denver. Sue and I had a great time; the show is very good - and beautifully hung.
Awards for Best in Show, 2nd and 3rd Place, as well as Honorable Mentions, had already been made by the show judge, but during the opening reception, patrons as well as the artists voted for the final awards of - People's Choice and Artist's Choice.
My painting "On the Tracks at LaVeta" won the Artist's Choice Award and $500 cash prize. YIPPEEE! I am so honored to have had this piece chosen as the favorite by the other artists in the show and could not have been more thrilled if I had won Best in Show.
Thank You to the PAAC, to Wes, Leslie and other members who put it together and to the Abend Gallery for hosting, hanging and putting on a really nice opening.
The entire catalog of work can be viewed online at www.abendgallery.com. Check it out.

PAAC Show in Denver at Abend Gallery

Sue and I will head up to Denver today to be at the opening of the PAAC (Plein air Painters Colorado) Show opening at the Abend Gallery tonight. Some of the best plein air work will be in this show; painters, not only from Colorado but members of the group that come from all over the country. Sue and I, both have 4 pieces juried into this show. The entire catalog of work can be viewed online at the Abend website. Check it out at www.abendgallery.com

Painting at South Fork

Back on July 5th I spent the day in the Mountian Artisans Gallery in South Fork and painted this little 6"x8" piece from my head. I think it reflects the general lack of focus that happens when you spend time painting, talking, painting, talking.

Thank You to Arkansas Valley Art Center as the Show Closes

A very special 'Thank You' to Carolyn Rice and everyone at the Arkansas Valley Art Center who invited Eldon Warren, Alec Cooke and myself to create this plein air show 'Different Strokes'. They have a very nice venue in the Colorado Mountain College and did beautiful job of putting the show together. I can't remember when I was at an opening with so many people knowledgeable and interested in the art, and really interesting themselves. It was a pleasure.

Buena Vista Morning with Eldon Warren

On June 28th I drove up to Buena Vista to strike 'Different Strokes' plein air show at the Arkansas Valley Art Center. The payoff for the day was a chance to paint with Eldon Warren, who was one of the other 2 painters featured in the show. We met at 9am and got right to it. The day was really beautiful and it didn't take long to find views along the Arkansas River, which was running very high, punctuated by rafters who came screaming down the river at regular intervals. Above, you can see Eldon's view clearly behind him. His painting features a high horizon and a quick indication of the bike rider that flew by. The road in the foreground really sets up the view; I never saw anyone who could do so much with a road.

Buena Vista Morning with Eldon Warren

Here are our paintings together- "different strokes" for sure. I still had to put in my sky and a brief comment about the water. As you can see, that did happen.

Saturday in South Fork

Saturday, July 5th, I will be at the Mountain Artisan Gallery in South Fork, doing demonstration painting and talking about my work. The Mountain Artisan Gallery is at 29919 W. Us Hwy, 160, right next to Coldwell Banker on the north side of the road. Drop by for a visit and shop this beautiful gallery that features some of the best of Colorado's artists and craftspeople.

12th Annual PAAC Show in Denver

PAAC, Plein Air Painters Colorado, 12th Annual Exhibition at Abend Gallery in Denver is a major show featuring some of the country's best plein air work. Sue McCullough and I were both juried into the show and will be at the Opening Reception, Friday night, July 11 at Abend Gallery, 2260 E. Colfax Ave. Denver, CO.
You can now see the entire show in the online catalog: http://www.abendgallery.com/html_shows/12thannualpaac/paac.htm

Hittin' the Rails in Alamosa

I painted down by the tracks in Alamosa 3 days last week and Tuesday morning Sue Mc, Heidi Algrim and Carol Watson joined me. We also garnered a little local publicity when Andrea from KENY tv in Alamosa came by, shot some footage and interviewed us for local tv. I'm not sure if anything I said made sense.