Men of a Certain Age

When the New Year came around this year and I began to notice newspapers, TV programs and magazines writing about the best Movie of the year, the best Fashion, the best Book, Food, Restaurant, popular Music, well you get the idea. I decided to begin to think about noticing my best art, color , artistic, aesthetic experiences of the upcoming year - 2009. On March 27 I had the best fun, celebratory evening going to the opening of Robert Strohmeiers' exhibit and retrospective. It was entitled " A Life In Art" and was the event of the art year so far, for me here in Denver. It was the first show of a new art gallery "The Dry Ice Factory" a wonderful building which also houses artists studios. It was a vibrant event and "Stroh's" art met the occasion.

So let me introduce you to Robert C. Strohmeir, "Stroh". I've had the fun of knowing Stroh through his lovely artist wife Bev. She was the Curator of this show and did a wonderful job. You can tell by looking at this man that he has a lot to share and he does so graciously. He is a painter, printer and as a teacher he has influenced the lives of many artists. He was born in 1927 and his artistic curiosity and interest began in the '40's. He had the good fortune to be a student at the L.A. Chouinard Institute and through Mme Chouinard he worked as a printer's devil. He knew such wonderful artists as Jean Charlot, Rico LeBrun and David Alfaro Siqueiros. In the early 50's he pursued art degrees at the California College of Arts and Crafts where he worked with Richard Diebenkorn and Sabro Hasegawa. He loves letting the process of the material speak to him yet he brings years of artistry and knowledge to each new medium to understand how far he can push a medium. He is an active artist today and filled with ideas. I love the quote and I also love the following paintings, prints and drawings--

It was an evening which sparkled, not only because of the live jazz band, but because of Stroh's passion for art making. Stroh invited several of his former students to exhibit with him, not surprisingly they are artists of note in the Denver and Colorado area. As a result people were delighted to see each other, the new venue and thrilled to have the opportunity to look and purchase the art.

So I will mark this as a fun art filled evening and look forward to see if it can be topped later in the year. Have you a favorite art moment this year?