Over the River and Through the Woods to Creede, Colorado

Last week Sue McCullough and I took a painting day up to the charming mining town of Creede Colorado. Our main intent was to scope out the town, take photos and hopefully get in a painting before lunch. Built along the Willow Creek
in a high narrow canyon of the San Juans, Creede seems to literally disappear into the awesome cliffs and canyons of the mountain. On Wednesday tho', the town appeared to be shaking off the last of Winter and turning a smiling face to the sunshine.
We did paint- who could resist? It was such a beautiful day, we hardly noticed the gusty wind blowing dirt up the street. Later when I got home I realized, there was so much grit in the paint layer that I had to wipe the whole thing down;
sad, but so worth it.
Sue and I, Steven Quiller, Charlie Ewing, Kris Gosar and David Montgomery will be just a few of the painters painting the town over Memorial Day at the Taste of Creede; Saturday the 23rd, and on Sunday the 24th there will be a Quick Draw in the street in front of the Quiller Gallery at 1pm.

Judson's Plein air Newsletter - April

I am excited to be one the Judsons featured artists for April. The premier outfitter for plein air painters, Judsons has a wonderful catalog and a ton of resources including their newsletter, an online plein air journal, comments, information and articles from artists like ourselves.
Every month an artist is featured and invited to share something about themselves or a plein air story.
In the following post I have recreated my article but if you are interested in receiving the Judson's Newsletter simply email them a request at Judsons Art Outfitters mail@phantomcanyonranch.com

A Moment of Clarity

Coni Grant - Contemporary Plein Air

Nature has always influenced my outlook on life. Painting outside is the best of all worlds. Plein air work forces you to respond from the gut - pitting all you know (even what you don't know that you know) against time and the elements. It can be painting at its most raw, but working in the landscape is its own reward. Dramatic weather, changing conditions, they add to the experience, and to the stories afterward. Any day painting out is a good day.
In 1998, I was so fortunate to study with Charles Movalli, who I consider to be one of my greatest influences. On one perfect morning at Morro Bay, California - light breeze, the sound of small waves lapping against the pier while gulls flew overhead and wonderful fishing boats everywhere, - four or five painters were lined up along the board walk, intent at our french easels. From behind us strolled a couple, enjoying the day, and viewing each artist in turn until they came up behind me and I could just over-hear the man say to the woman on his arm,
"Now THIS is the life".
I will never forget that moment: the day, the breeze, and my clear-as-a-bell thought,
"This IS the life; and I'm livin' it".
When the couple passed, I recognized the man as the well known actor Hector Elizondo.

That was a moment of real clarity for me.

The photo above was taken by fellow painter David Montgomery on LaVeta Pass this winter, and Yes, it was really cold.

Autumn in Red

This is the painting that sold up in Cheyenne - not the 8"x 6" plein air piece in the previous post. 'Autumn in Red' is one of my large studio pieces, 48"x 36", and Rebecca Barrett, owner/operator of the Link Gallery in Cheyenne, has sold several of these large pieces for me. Thanks Rebecca.

Road Trip - Yippei-yi-yo-ki-yay

I took a road trip up to Cheyenne this weekend to visit the Link Gallery and Rebecca Barrett, owner/operator. Rebecca just sold one of my large studio pieces, "Autumn in Red" and I took up new work. That is always a good reason for a road trip.
The painting to the right "Late Show" was painted in Cheyenne last August during the Wyoming Plein Air Event 08.
The town of Cheyenne has really embraced the plein air artists and owned this event.

2009 looks to be bigger than last year with sponsors that include Cheyenne Downtown Development Authority, Cheyenne Depot Museum, the Convention Center and Visitors Bureau, Plains Hotel, Emerson Frames, the Link Gallery, Deselms Fine Art, as well as local banks, and restaurants, and Southwest Magazine. If you are a plein air painter download the Call for Entries info at the Link Gallery Website. Entry deadline is April 30. Don't miss it!

Plein Air Painters - We are headed to Cheyenne in August '09

The Link Gallery, located in Cheyenne's historic Plains Hotel, is the centerpiece for Wyoming Plein Air'09 this August.
In 2008 artists from all over the country gathered to paint historic Cheyenne, Laramie, the wonderful Snowy Mountains, and all parts in between, and we did it in just a week. This year the event has been extended to 2 weeks and culminates on August 15 with a Quick Draw and Auction on Depot Plaza with the show opening that same afternoon.
If you are a plein air painter download the Call For Entries info by clicking here:Link Gallery Website. Entry deadline is April 30.
Last year Sue McCullough and I went together and had such a great time. Paint outs are always fun but Cheyenne really exceeded my expectation. People in town were excited and welcoming and camaraderie among the painters was something very special.
Photos to the right show the Link Gallery, Sue McCullough painting in Cheyenne's historic downtown, artists with a model at the Quick Draw, and Al Tofanelli from California, in intense concentration at the Quick Draw.

Anatomy of a Commission - Shipping Out

All three of the commissioned pieces received the final OK last weekend - WHEW!
Now to dry fully so everything could be shipped. Click on the art to view it larger.
Last year at this time I was definitely a shipping novice but what a difference a year makes. One shipping disaster and a few times around the UPS counter has made me a much more savvy shipper. A client may wince at the cost of shipping but if their art investment is worth anything in the first place, it is worth protecting to the end of the line; and that would be at the client's doorstep.
These pieces are 24"x 28".
Each one is wrapped in paper, wrapped in bubble wrap and because they are the same size, put together. UPS requires at least 2" of wrap between art and box in order to insure but I have learned, the hard way - of course, a wood crate around the cardboard box is also a good form of insurance.
Bicycle boxes are very good for large art (check your local bike shop) and also the U-Haul stores carry large art boxes.
I can't wait to get these in the mail.

Alamosa ARTWALK

The day before our ArtWALK the schools were closed due to almost 8" of snow on the ground from a heavy snowfall but Saturday dawned clear and sunny. It could not have been a more perfect day bringing record numbers of shoppers to the street. There was only one small disappointment - Sue McCullough was supposed to paint with me but when snow closed the pass her return to the valley was delayed - from Spain, yes, Spain (you will have to read about that on her blog).
I enjoyed the morning painting in a warm spot across from the San Luis Valley Brewery and spent the afternoon on the town, enjoying live music, food, friends and neighbors and over 30 venues with artwork.
I celebrated Spring by painting with no gloves.
The painting above as well as several other of my pieces will be hanging in the San Luis Valley Brewery until the end of April.

Anatomy of A Commission - Show Me the Money

Kathy Park is a wonderful "soul", artist, writer and friend who lives in the San Luis Valley. She and her husband, Henry Wolbert, also an artist, live in the village of Juaroso- about an hour from me and we consider ourselves almost neighbors. Our paths crossed on Saturday, and as ever, the conversation focused on the "artist life". I asked her to write down a story she had shared so that I could post it here.
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The best commission I ever took happened like this. A friend visited my studio and noticed a chunk of lignum vitae wood, a beautiful, dense, oily wood. It won't float it's so heavy. Generally it's used for sculpture mallets, not the sculpture itself. I picked it up and handed it to her so she could feel its heft. She was suitably impressed, and surprised me by saying, "I want whatever you carve out of this." She handed the wood back to me, reached in her purse, and pulled out a wad of cash. "Here's your down payment." We settled on a subject - a woman so strong and centered she'll never burn out - but she wasn't that interested in seeing even a sketch, much less a plaster model, which was unnerving to say the least. Periodically she'd hand me another wad of cash. It's what got Henry and me through a very lean time, in fact. She ended up loving the piece, (and paying a New York price for it) and it went into her office in a women's prison where she served as the chief medical officer, the main doctor. She told me it helped her every day, and a whole lot of other women too.
Sounds like a perfect commission, and I doubt I'll ever get one again so good. Even so, and even though you may not see it, I know in my gut that the sculpture suffers from a cloud of cash around it. Hard to explain, but the fact that it already "belonged" to someone else made me tight, anxious, and preoccupied, all very bad states of mind for an artist. I felt beholden, obligated. What if the sculpture didn't please her? What if I busted it in the process of carving it? So, although it's beautiful, it's also a little tight, a little conservative, a little stilted, not my best work.
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Check out Kathy and Henry's, individual, as well as collaborative work at www.dreampowerartworks.com
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The "cloud of cash" - neither good, or bad - but like the elephant in the center of the room, it can be hard to get around.
And below is the 2nd part of my 3 painting commission. This one has been given final approval; the painting I posted last week is needing some additional detail work and the third piece is waiting in the wings. So far I am on target for my deadline and I am looking forward to painting out on Saturday at the Alamosa ArtWALK.

A Brief Commercial Break For Alamosa ArtWALK

THIS Saturday, March 28, is the 7th Annual Alamosa ArtWALK.
It is a good excuse to visit beautiful San Luis Valley and enjoy Alamosa's 2009 celebration of art, music and spoken word. There will be painting demos, and displays of photography, pottery, fiber arts, sculpture, and stained glass with artists on hand, 10 am - 5 pm.
ArtWALK locations are within walking distance of Main Street and Programs and maps are available in downtown Alamosa stores and restaurants.
Get your program stamped at 12 or more event locations to enter the drawing for a $200 art gift-certificate. Prize Drawing will be 5 pm at the San Luis Valley Brewing Company, 631 Main.
My work, including this painting "Valley Spring" - used for the ArtWALK promotion, will be on display at the
San Luis Valley Brewing Company.
For more info click on - Alamosaartwalk.org