Color Creates

Sistahs!!

2012-02-11T07:56:00.000-08:00

On with the theme of sisters. I am one of three sisters and the mother of two sisters. I know the back story of my daughters - they are presently writing their own stories. I have caught them in these two recent paintings.

"First Harvest", pastel, Kate

"The Luncheon Guest",pastel, Johanna

http://faso.com/boldbrush/painting/29524

Sisters

2012-02-09T15:55:00.000-08:00

I am one of three sisters. When I see girls together I often nod my head in recognition and think "Sisters". that was the case when last year I saw two young girls selling fruit at a road side stop in Katok , Guatemala. Katok has now become a familiar rest stop after leaving Guatemala City and heading up to Solola Guatemala. I told myself "these are either sisters or at least sisters in the work they do here, selling fruit to roadside travelers". I often give my artwork a personal backstory while I am working on it. Thus I told myself a story of these two sisters living near Katok and wondering what their days were like.
I am heading back to Guatemala and probably will be traveling this same road. I wonder if I will see these girls. I secretly hope they are in school.

Red, Rouge

2012-01-21T10:52:00.000-08:00

I think every month and season have a distinctive color. Some of course you could all reasonably agree on such as ochres and warm colors for autumn. However I have always associated the color red with January. This year three stalks of Amaryllis plant blooming in my dining room have agreed with my color beliefs.

Pastel 18"x12"

I think I will be doing several paintings of these brilliant ruffles as they wax and wane through the growing process. Hoorah for red!!

The Eyes have it

2012-01-18T19:38:00.000-08:00

Thank you David Hockney!! My artistic hero. I have long followed and admired David Hockney for his artistic energy, investigation, devotion to drawing, innovation, exploration and use of technology. One of my all time favorite books is Secret Knowledge (Rediscovering the Lost Techniques of the Old Masters). In this book he reveals a careful discovery that only a practicing draftsman, painter could discover. Based on his personal knowledge , voluminous experience, Hockney shows that the so called great draftsman of the art world used mechanical devices to aid their eye and hands in their drawings and paintings. He shows that Vermeer, Van Eyck, Messina, Caravaggio up to Andy Warhol used optics to create their work. That is they used 'monocular" vision as opposed to "binocular" vision.

The Eye of Horus

He shows how Cezanne's use of his own two eyes, i.e. binocular vision is what pulls you into his picture. Hockney says "Cezanne's innovation was that he put into his pictures his own doubts about how objects relate to himself, recognizing that view points are in flux, that we always see things from multiple, sometimes contradictory, positions. It is a human, binocular vision ( two eyes, two viewpoints, and therefore doubt), in contrast to the tyrannical, monocular vision of the lens (Velazquez), which ultimately reduces the viewer to a mathematical point, fixing him to a particular spot in space and time."

Apples by Paul Cezanne

David Hockney's work developing eye hand coordination and emotional response to the world in which he lives is being celebrated in a gigantic lovely exhibition at the Royal Academy in London. Hockney believes as I do too much attention has been given to the exploration of mind games and not enough to the exploration of drawing and our binocular vision as artists. Take a peek at this wonderful video. I hope to post more.

Read the blog Making a Mark for more information about the Royal Academy exhibition of David Hockneys current discoveries and work http://makingamark.blogspot.com/

FOUND, More best pocket memories from 2011?

2011-12-31T11:26:00.000-08:00

After all the sculpture, architecture and music of foreign lands I did have wonderful aesthetic experiences here in the USA. Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvannia was a delightful experience on my return from France,http://www.longwoodgardens.org/ . I love finding places that have been made beautiful as the result of someone's passion. The art at Longwood Gardens is the plant life. So I vote for Longwood Gardens as #8 to fill my aesthetic pockets of 2011. Thanks to Pierre du Pont and the purchase of land from William Penn in the 1700's and du Pont's desire to emulate some gardens in Europe.

9. In August I had the good fortune to meet Richard McKinley, pastel artist. He was a juror for an art show I entered. I was struck by his kindness and willingness to share his enthusiasm for pastels. Introduce yourself to him at http://www.mckinleystudio.com/.

10. Finally # 10 meeting and seeing the work of pastel artists whose work I had previously been inspired by in book, magazines and the internet. First Sandra Burshell, as she did a demo and talked about her process of working with pastels;
http://www.sandraburshell.com/default4.asp
Then take a look at some other pastelists featured at the Abend Gallery exhibition here in Denver. I will put in their links so you can really investigate them.

Pastel by Sandra Burshell

Contemporary abstract pastel by Deborah Stewart
http://deboralstewart.blogspot.com/

Denver pastelist Connie Renner
http://connierenner.com/

Margaret Dyer http://www.margaretdyer.com/home.html

Pastel by John Roush
http://www.johnroush.com/index.html

I was able to edit down many wonderful aesthetic experiences and select just these 10. A very interesting experience and makes me realize how fortunate a year it has been.

Happy New Year !!

Albert Handell
http://alberthandell.com/

Here's to filling your Pockets with wonderful Aesthetic (ARTY)
Experiences in the coming year.

What will YOU put in YOUR Pocket

2011-12-30T13:18:00.000-08:00

What will you put in your visual pocket from 2011 to pull out and look at in a future time? What will tweak your imagination in the future months? What does not disappear into your sands of time or lost memories? This is the criteria I use to think about my best aesthetic experiences of each year. Luckily 2011 presented lots of fine choices. I already mentioned 4 in previous posts. In case it escaped you
1.- El Cerro- art and sculpture park , Antigua, Guatemala
2. - Alfombras- Lenten celebratory parades, Antigua. Guatemala
3. - architecture -Cathedrals in Antigua, Guatemala
4. - Cuban Jazz performed by Ignacio in Antigua, Guatemala
5. - Rogier Van der Weyden altar piece in Beaune, France

6.Burgundian Clay Roof Tiles, on The Hospice de Beaune

Clay roof tiles, central plaza Beaune, FR

Clay roof tiles, house in Beaune , FR

Clay roof tiles, Meursault, FR

The clay roof tiles of Burgundy were a wonder to me as I love repeated patterns. When I had first seen these tiles I had under appreciated them. Now having spent days making plein aire paintings of which they were a part of I gained new appreciation.

7. The Burgundian country side-- I will definitely pull this visual memory out of my pocket and savor it along with the wine and Chevre chaud lunches during these cold winter months.

Vinyard view point

More to come-----

Describing Winter

2011-12-22T11:53:00.000-08:00

" Every Branch big with it,

Bent every twig with it;

Every fork like a white web-foot;

Every street and pavement mute:"

exerpt " Snow in the Suburbs" by Thomas Hardy

Its a day for hot tea, chocolate drinks and or mulled wine here in Denver. Also this first day following the winter solstice has brought almost the same view I saw in my back yard 3 years ago when I made this painting.

Backyard tree the morning after the Solstice Snow

So I began to look and think about scenes of snow by

artists. Wish I could have them over for tea and say, now would you paint this tree and how?
So how about NC Wyeth. Here is a painting he did using snow. Because NC definitely used every object in his paintings to pull the viewer in and engage her/him.

N.C. Wyeth "And Lawless, keeping half a step in front of his companion....." 1916

I think early this morning when a cross country skier was going down the middle of our street NC might have been inspired to create an adventure.

Andrew Wyeth "The Corner" 1953

The ability Andrew Wyeth has with a few descriptive lines , create cold and crisp mornings. The quiet stillness with only the snow moving would have been an Andrew Wyeth moment.
Now I have seen footprints in the snow this morning were they dogs, rabbits, the fox living under the neighbors spruce tree? If so they would need the masterful hand of Jamie Wyeth to look into their animal eyes and retell the cold.

James Wyeth " Angus" 1974

Now back to more painting about snow, cold and winter.

Une Autre "ARTY" 'expierence!!

2011-12-18T18:47:00.000-08:00

So after seeing Alfombras being made in Antigua. Experiencing exquisite 17th c. Cathedrals which were destroyed in Earthquakes in Antigua,

Perhaps this post could be "Why I love Antigua". Then finally, leaving,( but I look forward to returning), to hear, Cuban Jazz, played in beautiful 200 year old architecture.

I had the good fortune in June to travel to Beaune , France. This time I brought my pastels. However, one of the all time "ARTY" experiences for me is once again seeing the Rogier Van der Weyden, Altar pieces painted about 100 years before Antigua. Guatemala was founded. As I said this is my second visit. Take a peak http://www.abcgallery.com/W/weyden/weyden27.html Above is what I saw--. Next post I hope to show you the landscape and talk about inspiration. Tis the season, saison!

Best ARTY experiences of the Year!!

2011-12-16T09:17:00.001-08:00

Sculpture in El Cerro Santo Domingo

Arty views

Art on the tables

Chairs marching through the garden

This past year has been filled with a few "Arty" bests. The word "arty" was first introduced to me by a young 10 year old art student of mine. One summer(about 10 years ago) I received a postcard from Paris sent by her, declaring that "Paris was an ARTY experience extraordinaire"! Even then I was enamored with France along with artistic expression.
Now I am influenced by my student and continue to use her word "Arty", to describe the best, le haut, l'extraordinaire!

Inspired sketching before breakfast

1. First on my list is the discovery and visit to the sculpture garden on Le Cerro Santo Domingo in Antigua, Guatemala. A few pictures of why this place sparkles arty magic above a magical city.

Hanging from trees

No this is not a car wreck but another sculpture in the garden.

Painted on walls

This is a sculpture and art garden where you can come for brunch, or a dinner. It reminds me somewhat because of its grounds of The Fondation Maeght in St. Paul de Vence , France. The art you see is made by Central American artists.

Found at the top of stairwells

Georgia On My Mind!

2011-11-15T07:21:00.000-08:00

This past week was the birthday of Georgia O'Keeffe. I spent a part of a morning looking at O'Keeffe videos on You Tube. I would like to post 3 with a few about her. I think we can celebrate her birthday for a few more days This first piece deals mainly with her floral paintings.
I am hoping to post links to 2 other videos of her life and work.
http://youtu.be/_B25-YLu4cA.
http://youtu.be/xWj4amkYwQc Ah ha they are here. I think you will really enjoy them. You will get to see and hear Georgia talk about her feelings for the southwest.

The photo was taken by her husband photographer, Alfred Steiglitz,who helped her name the region around Taos and Abiqui, " The Faraway".

This last painting is made with pastels!! Hoorah! Georgia used pastels as well as water color and oils with which to paint, She also made her pastels it is believed. So here is to Georgia and her love of the Southwest which I understand so well.

Color and Reasoning about Simplicity

2011-11-09T17:06:00.000-08:00

"Drawing is feeling. Color is an act of reasoning."
P. Bonnard

I am thinking of adding this above quote to my list of quotes on this blog. Bonnard is one of my favorite colorists. He was able to take daily life and infuse it with emotion, in a large part through his choice of color.

" Back Yard View" 4"x 7" Pastel

I've been working on some miniatures. Not so easy with clunky sticks but challenging. Some simple scenes.

"Spring at Rancho de Taos" 4"x 7" Pastel

As it happens these were all drawn or painted at different times in different locations with a common unrealized theme until I began to work on them in the studio.

"Sanctuary Chateauneuf, FR" 11" x 8 1//2" Pastel

All I could think about as I worked on this last piece was those warm beautiful stones. It was a lovely day in late June when I saw them last and I longed for that day once more.

A grand Atelier

2011-11-06T19:48:00.000-08:00

Johanna touring us through the studio

For those of you who follow this blog you know I suffer from Studio Envy. So I was very interested to see the new Todd Bolender center for Dance and Creativity. This is the new work place for the Kansas City Ballet, the studios, administrative, costume, scenic, storage area where magic happens. It is located in near the Union Station and is a fine example of repurposing. The building was originally a Power plant.

It has been gutted and turned into a wonderful place for the study and support of dance.
Here follow just a few pictures of a different type of studio than I normally talk about.

Front desk

Entry Hall

The largest practice studio. There are 3 others on this floor.

sound booth and stadium seating in the large studio

Now a chance to look and see where the costumes are made and maintained.

Johanna at the cutting table

Displayed costumes from the early days of the KC Ballet.

Everything seems very up to date in Kansas City. It is a city that has truly stepped up to support the arts this year.

Up to date Spoutings about Ballet and Architecture in KC MO

2011-10-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

I visited Kansas City, Missouri this month and was struck once again by the influence, salutation and importance of water in this mid-size American city. A city which is in the middle of vast prairies but actually settles into arching bluffs and glacier made hills. The confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers was what brought that region to the attention of early French trappers as early as 1714. The city, now known as Kansas City, began to arrange itself on those bluffs and ridges in 1838.

JC Nichols Memorial Fountain

Today Brush Creek is tamed and made people-useful in the beautiful Plaza area. The creek looks like a cement lined canal and when I was there, Bonfires were artfully arranged in the center of the canal in the shape of a long serpent. Bridges over the creek were closed to traffic and live music was performed while restaurants spilled out onto the streets closest to the Creek offering outdoor dining. Brush Creek is a tributary of the Blue River and becomes a part of the Missouri and then part of the watershed which is the Mississippi River.

Johanna http://nativemoments.blogspot.com

KC plays homage to the water flowing through it by being a "city of fountains". It is second only to Rome, Italy, in the number of fountains erected. There are over 300 fountains. They can be found in parks, outside of buildings, shopping areas and marking the entry of neighborhoods.http://www.kcfountains.com/

I was in KC MO to visit my daughter Johanna. I was also there to see the completed Kauffman Center for the Arts and to attend a brand new ballet. My daughter works as a costumer for the Kansas City Ballet. The ballet which was performed was the premier of the first ballet ever based on American literature. It was "Tom Sawyer", this piece of literature is based on events which happen in the small 19th c. town of Hannibal, Missouri. A town, novel and now ballet heavily influenced by the rolling Mississippi. So it was appropriate that Kansas City Missouri a city influenced also by the flow of water was able to premier this amazing event.

But first, the new building in which the ballet was performed also seemed to have a watery connection to my eyes. Because I think it looks like 2 giant conch shells left there in some primordial time to be repurposed into an Opera/Ballet Theatre and a Symphony Orchestral Theatre each nestled beside each other. See photos of these which my daughter took on her blog. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/16/us/kauffman-center-for-the-performing-arts-set-to-open-in-kansas-city.html , This is what I saw as I came to the Ballet performance.

To be in this brand new building was pretty exciting in this time of debt crisis. I love that private donors were the main donors for these buildings. 135 million came from the Muriel Kauffman fund. The city gave a parking garage. Now I think if you build it they will come. The horse shoe arrangement of Opera/ballet Theatre provides the sort of sight line an auditorium built for theatrical or symphonic performances cannot provide. We set high up in the balcony but easily felt an intimate of the performance. The sets were beautiful and minimal. The simple cross beams which were raised and lowered to indicate the individual homes of Hannibal, the lanterns which were suspended in the Firefly scene and the spooky graveyard tombstones all created believable settings without taking away from the choreography, dancers and story.

Lobby at intermission

The music performed by the Kansas City Symphony and Choral group from the Liberty High School Concert Choir and composed by Maury Yeston was wonderful. The costumes gave a sense of time and place and magic. They were primarily designed by Holly Hynes and put together by the wonderful costume department which includes my daughter. The company has been working on this premiere since January. Now that is while they have kept there regular performance schedule and moved to a new building.
Kudos to Kansas City. Do read this review from the New York Times its a good read.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/25/arts/dance/tom-sawyer-by-kansas-city-ballet-review.html?_r=1&ref=dance

Two Views!

2011-10-26T15:19:00.000-07:00

Just had to show you a photo of my back yard where I worked on a pastel of this view of my neighbors glorious red leaved tree.

"Autumn, the year's
last loveliest smile."
William Cullen Bryant

Below you can see what we have today here on the Front Range. It is down to the studio to paint in between knocking the snow off branches. Warm weather will be back again by the weekend.

Check out my new website, it is in process and is being

created by my niece. What do you think? I am excited.
http://cbuschmannart.com/

Raisin D'Etre

2011-10-17T20:10:00.000-07:00

I have been asked " What draws your interest when you decide to make a painting? ". I do know I am very interested in repeated patterns, light and color. I know also that I love the challenge of creating the mood or temperament I felt when I saw something just out of the corner of my eye. I believe we see so many - honestly I don't have the words for it and that is why I paint it. I am a visualist.
For instance my husband and I were visiting friends near Crow, Oregon outside of Eugene. It is in the country and the air is full of moisture to my Coloradan nature. So we walk in the morning up this road, which we have often walked before. Each time I walk it, when I get to this bend in the road I begin to think about how and where, from which position could I paint it. This summer morning the sky is pink and the buildings are sinking into the moist grass. But most important is the sharp pungent odor of an herb. What is it- I wonder?And then my cooking sense turns on and I recognize it as the herb chamomile. Later when I am walking around my friend's pond I notice a field of wild chamomile growing. From those experiences which I carried back home to my studio, my memory, some photos and my desire to share came this painting.

"Chamomile Path"

If you can smell the chamomile and feel the moisture of that July dawn this painting is for sale at the AUM Gallery this weekend and until November 26th. The opening is 5:00 to 8:30 PM Friday, and I look forward to seeing you there.

The True Size of Things

2011-10-16T15:11:00.000-07:00

"The Goldenrod near the Garden Chair" 14 1/2" x 8"

This clear soft air of autumn has given me time to ruminate about this and that. One of those, thises or that's is how technology has made the relative size of stuff equal and has that affected our judgement or not. I thought of this when I reproduced this rather small plein aire painting I did of my friend's August garden. On the computer screen it suddenly had a larger presence. Then last week while I was visiting Fredricksburg, Texas I got to see Scott L. Christensens painting "Winter Light". It is 70" x 70" but when you look at it on the site of Insight Galleryhttp://www.insightgallery.com/searchresults.php?exhibitionId=18&start=10 it appears to be one painting among many. You cannot begin to be as amazed as I was at the sheer weight of the accomplishment of painting such a lush and fresh painting so large. The joy of that painting was certainly in the real seeing as opposed to the virtual seeing. You can see it again on Scott Christensen's web site http://www.christensenstudio.com/3/artist.asp?ArtistID=15825&Akey=TVKNT9F5 If you hit on Galleries it opens with "Winter Light" alone on the page. It is a treat to see.
I don't know quite where I am with this ruminating but perhaps a small orchestral crescendo should be played with paintings like "Winter Light". Or perhaps going to galleries and museums have real solid value and understanding toward accomplishment. I encourage you to get out and see real art whether small or large!

Preview!!

2011-09-30T08:53:00.000-07:00

The end of October ( October 21 - November 26) AUM Gallery will have another Invitational. This year the theme is flowers. Here is one bouquet I am inserting.

"Circular Poetry"

I will have 2 other floral offerings in the show. So this is my tease.

Ahh September Respite

2011-09-18T20:01:00.000-07:00

September came in as if it really understood the artificial dates we humans had posted on 30 new days of a proscribed period of time. Whooee the heat spell was broken here in Colorado. All of a sudden the tip tops of trees sported 10 yellow leaves portending a golden future and the temperature actually allowed one to comfortably wear jeans.( I know the teenagers are still wearing shorts but they will be doing so in December.) Thank goodness those of us of a certain lovely age finally get it. (one hopes) Or they've given up hope.

"The Smoke bush on Delgado Street"

So I have some catch up to do. I saw a great pastel show at the Abend gallery and got to meet some fine pastel artists. I will share this with you , I promise.
I have been painting flowers for an invitational at AUM Gallery and I will give you dates and information later. All the flower painting got me into a rash, throe, consumed in floral painting so here I share a couple with you.

"Next to the Reading Lamp"

At the moment these are the also rans, I have three others I have selected for the AUM Gallery show. What is really terrific news- Check out one of my all time favorite pastel blogs www.landscapesbychristopher.blogspot.com and pick up the September Pastel Magazine you will see a cool article written about Tom Christopher an Iowa pastelist. And to all of my Iowa pastelist friends with whom I visited Beaune with this summer you have a treasure!

"Well Worth Waiting for-"

2011-08-31T13:29:00.000-07:00

I had 2 weekends of great pastel time this past month. The first was of course being a participant in the Mile High Invitational for pastels here in Denver. The judge as I mentioned before was Richard McKinley. If you are a pastelists and ever have the chance to take a workshop from Richard I highly recommend you do. I was unable to get in as there was quite a long waiting list. I did however go at 4:30 PM on the evening of the show opening to hear Richard talk about the pastels he had selected for the show. I truly enjoyed his comments and the manner of respect he showed for the variety of ways the artists expressed themselves with pastels. I asked him when he was through talking to the group to talk to me about my two pastels which he had selected. His comments were thoughtful and affirming.

"The Banana Seller"

The above pastel was the second one of my pastels in the Mile High Invitational. If you live in Denver I recommend this show, it is at the Curtis Arts and Humanities Gallery and is open Mondays through Fridays.
The quality of the work is high and the styles are diverse. If you would like to learn more about Richard McKinley please look at the article "Pastel Pointers" which is located in my blog list on the sidebar. If you would like to see his work it can be found at www.richardmckinley.com
The exhibit was sponsored by the Colorado Pastel Society and they did a very professional job. If you would like to know more about the Colorado Pastel Society you can find out more at its website; www.pastelsocietyofcolorado.org
Now for the second week of pastel adventures in my next post.

Pastel Exhibition Anticipation

2011-08-16T13:32:00.000-07:00

I had two paintings selected from 200 pastel paintings by the nationally known pastelist Richard McKinley www.mckinleystudio.com/artist.html , to be included in an Intertnational Pastel Exhibition. "Flower Thoughts", and "Banana Seller" will be on exhibit at the "Mile High International Exhibition" sponsored by the Colorado Pastel Society, August 20,2011. That's coming up and soon, this Friday! Here's a preview-

"Flower Thoughts" 17"x 23"

I think it's really an honor to be included with all the other pastelist's that have been selected by Richard McKinley. (*1) This is a special collection of paintings from artists around the country and showcases the best in contemporary art in the pastel medium.

Both of my paintings which were selected are from my "Guatemalan Suite". If you have been following this blog you know I have been influenced by my volunteer experiences in Guatemala. The above pastel is based on the flower sellers I saw on the cathedral steps at the Chichiconstenango Sunday Market, on the first Sunday of Lent. I will show you the second pastel in a later post.

The Exhibition is open to the public and can be seen at the Curtis Arts and Humanities Center, 349 East Orchard Rd, Greenwood Village Colorado Mondays through Fridays from 10 - 4. Admission is free and the art is available for purchase. The Exhibition begins with an Awards Ceremony on Saturday August 20, 2011,from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. The exhibit is available for public viewing until September 15.

Do stop on in, I would love to see you and based on the beautiful pieces I saw when I took my art work in, I know you are in for a treat.

*1-- Check out Richard McKinley's art blog "Pastel Pointers" on my side bar of this blog. He always has interesting observations and ideas.

Studio Voyeur

2011-08-07T10:03:00.000-07:00

I know I am a voyeur - I.E. observer, investigator of - other artist STUDIOS. I confess I have studio -envy. In early July I got to visit the studio of LaVonne Tarbox-Crone,www.tarboxcrone.com.

I first met LaVonne in Guatemala. She and I worked as volunteers on the culinary crew of the Cascade Medical Team. That is we chopped and prepared dinners for the Medical team from primarily the Portland and Eugene, Oregon area. LaVonne is one terrific chopper. She also is an upbeat personality who is up for a a challenge. On those rare moments of time off at our Lake Atitlan location she could be found with sketchbook in hand creating quick water color sketches. If you would like to see her finished studio pieces definitely check out her website. LaVonne is an accomplished water colorist and artist teacher. I got to check out her home base as I said in July.

LaVonne says she lives "in a bouquet"! Indeed she does, she is an accomplished gardener as well as artist. Check it out!

The garden pulls you out into its center whether you are inside or out on the terrace. Her studio/workshop/great room peers into her garden.

Take a trip to LaVonne's website and look at her art work it is a trip well worth taking.

Simplicity - Structure

2011-08-01T12:11:00.000-07:00

Out on the southern edge of Denver there is a beautiful iconic building.

St Philip in the Field, Episcopal Church
7 miles west of castle Rock and 5 miles south of Sedalia

It was built as a house of prayer in 1872 by residents of what was known then as the community of West Plum Creek Valley. My friend Suzanne introduced me to this beautiful little building in June. I vowed then to return and paint it. I got to do this last week. Suzanne came with me bringing her lawn chair and summer read while I pushed pastels around on Wallis paper.

I plan to come back in different seasons to study this building and catch its form in the light of different seasons. It also sits on a ridge which looks out toward Pikes Peak, and oh, an old cemetery surrounds it.

As we left the property we noticed this silhouette on the edge of the cemetery. On investigation we learned it was homage to a jazz loving musician, a cool metal bass viol. It spoke well of the singular, creative and individualistic people who lived, worked and made a simply elegant place to think about life, nature and time.
Ah also some of the best tamales I've had since my favorites from an Arroyo Seco store in Taos can be found in Sedalia. A frozen dozen will go too fast!

Getting Edgy

2011-07-31T11:29:00.000-07:00

Alla Prima, final cut

Yesterday I got to take part in a workshop at the studio of Michelle Torrez. I did an earlier post about her work at Saks gallery here in Denver (www.saksgalleries.com). Look for an upcoming show in the winter months in Naples, Florida ( for those readers who live there). At any rate she has been working on renovating a new space for the past year for her studio. It was fun to see that, however looking at my photos I can see I didn't really take photos of it. Just let me say, it's a lovely place in which to work.

Heather and Skye working on their final painting.

During the workshop we painted from 9 AM to 4 Pm, with a lunch break. We had a model in the morning and did 1 minute gesture drawings, then 5 minute paintings (I was the only pastel painter the rest were oil painters), then we did 10 minute and finally 20 minute paintings. In the afternoon we worked from a photo taken of the model in the AM, an worked on using our former paintings and the photo to create a painting.

Morning reference painting.

The take away for me from this workshop was to be aware and to work with a variety of edges rather than always making a hard edge. Now the other thing I loved was the gesture drawings and drawing the body when you could not see it, that is it is hidden by clothes,etc. That happened a lot as the model was wearing a great long, white, fluffy tulle skirt. So the day was filled with good ideas and the work of the other students was motivating. A great way to spend a Saturday.

Encore! encore!

2011-07-30T20:59:00.000-07:00

I went to a workshop today. Came back inspired and reworked this painting.

"Morning Drive in Beaune"

Virtual Plein aire Painting

2011-07-29T10:49:00.000-07:00

As I said in my last Post I decided to paint in my studio here in Denver at the same time my fellow June/French travelers were painting in Iowa. That is between 1 and 4 PM Iowa time. I pulled out my first plein aire piece and decided to do a studio piece. Here are some photos reflecting my process, progress, procedures.
My original plein aire painting was a 7"x10" size, painted in the morning of our first day. I truly didn't know at the time I painted this piece what was beyond the arch which cars in the early morning were driving through.

Under-painting using Rembrandt pastels on Wallis paper.

Under-painting painted with turpenoid.

I decided to use a larger format (11"x14") in the studio, and actually a vertical rather than horizontal format.

#3 t I removed a car
at this stage and modified various forms.

Next follows a series of photos showing how I put the pastel on, wrestle with shape, color and composition.

#4 Working with front and fine tuning shadows and forms.

#5 Final piece for now/ "Morning Drive in Beaune, France"

Part 2- Found Color on 2 Continents

2011-07-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

In June I discovered the color of Beaune , France. I did this in the company of 7 other artists participating in a pastel workshop led by the artist Mary Muller www.marymuller.com. Mary lives in DesMoines, Iowa and the majority of the participants also were from Iowa. This workshop was sponsored by Phil Levine Workshops Inc.. Phil has organized workshops in Europe and Mexico with a variety of artists. He has some cool workshops coming up and if you are curious check out this website.www.paintingfrance.com.

We painted in the town of Beaune

and in the famous vinyards in Meursault and Chateau Chateauneuf.

Hospice de Beaune

Polydiptych by Rogier Van der Weyden in the Hospice de Beaune

We painted, critiqued, communed, saw sights and drank wine for 11 days. At the end of that time we layed out our collective work and were amazed.
We all knew that we would carry this experience back into our art on our return to the US. Mary offered to open her studio to the Iowa artists on Saturday afternoons to continue to explore there vision formed in Beaune. Because I live in Denver I said I would participate by painting at the same time on Saturdays but here in Denver. A virtual paint out. More about this during my future posts.

Returned/ refreshed/ found color on 2 continents!- part 1

2011-07-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

This summer began, for me, looking and listening to people creating colorful experiences on the street. I know I was seeing art on the street again! Check out my post on Alfombras in Guatemala. Now I was seeing pastel Alfombras on the streets of Denver, Colorado. The "Pilot" (my husband) and I headed for Larimer Square to check out this street festival.

Almost completed piece.

Wish I had bowls and bowls of pastels. Real soft and hard pastels are used not necessarily chalk pastels.

Denver artist participates in the fun of the weekend.

Local Madonnari of the future rests from his efforts. There were contests for young artists and art students at the Denver Festival.

One of my fav'

3D Street Painting is an activity which has been occurring since 16th c. Renaisance Italy. These early street artists were wandering artists going from town to town. They were called Madonnari. Today from London, Ontario, Pasadena, California to Denver,Colorado, you can observe professional Madonnari and local artists painting with pastels at street festivals. Judging by what we observed the crowds were quite pleased and excited by this street artistry.
Hoorah for Pastels!! The Pilot and I enjoyed wandering the 3 block area stopping into local bars and restaurants to occasionally cool off.
If you are interested in seeing more check out these websites.www.denverchalkart.org, www.Imadon.org, www.pasadenachalkfestival.com, www.3d-street-art.com

En Vacance!!

2011-07-06T14:20:00.000-07:00

Vacation is being enjoyed and I will return with many colorful stories and observations which have occurred over the past 2 months. Some maybe about these photos-shown in no particular order

Flags are waving everywhere!!

2011-06-08T21:35:00.000-07:00

In my yard today the annual parade of colors is occurring - this is the sentence I wrote on Memorial Day weekend and then I was stopped by a phone call - the news was sad. A dear friends adult child had died. It was a day to honor the dead and to remember the dead and then unexpectedly a beloved person had died. Somehow writing in a blog about brave color and comparing flags of color to flags flying over the early summer skies seemed frivolous. But now days have passed and I've given much thought to the fragility of life. Those flower flags which were bravely making their appearance two weeks ago are now in their last throes of declining beauty. A year ago similar Iris were in my lawn but this year is a remarkable year, all around town people have talked about the beauty of the Iris here. So I will share the beauty of this years Iris with you and think about the passing beauty we have felt in the people we have known.

"As imperceptibly as Grief
The Summer lapsed away-
Too imperceptible at last
To seem like Perfidy-
A Quietness distilled
As Twilight long begun,
Or Nature spending with herself
Sequestered Afternoon-
The Dusk drew earlier in-
The morning foreign shone-
A courteous, yet harrowing Grace,
A Guest, that would be gone-
And thus, with a Wing
Or service of a Keel
Our summer made her light escape
Into the Beautiful."
Emily Dickinson

posted June 8. 2011

http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/the-meaning-colors-of-memorial-day/

Alfombras/ Magic Carpets

2011-05-11T14:04:00.000-07:00

Because I cannot go in the garden today (it's raining), and because I know next week I will have much to share ( from a recent trip to Kansas City) I wanted to quickly share with you one of the wonders I saw on my past trip to Antigua, Guatemala.
Semana Santa , the week of Easter, is one of the most celebrated in Antigua. I have read that the Antigua Easter celebration is the second largest in the world. All the weeks of Lent working up to Semana Santa are also filled with traditions. We had the good fortune to be in Antigua the first two weekends of Lent. The Antiguans make "alfombras" (rugs) which are made on the cobblestoned streets

each Saturday to be walked on by celebrants carrying on their shoulders large (tons large) floats of Easter pageantry. The floats originate at one of the many churches around the village and then the processions begin ,moving from the outer edge of the city to the central Parque of Antigua and passing by the Cathedral.

The rugs are made of colored and dyed sawdust . Everyone helps- adults, Moms, children, teenagers also the people who help are associated in some way with the stores, hotels and homes on the route of the procession for that weekend. You can also see that rugs can be made from natural materials such as pine needles, flowers and vegetables.

Where did this tradition begin? It is said to originate in Spain and come from the Middle East. But as it is so often in Guatemala there is a Mayan history of Alfombra making. The ancient Mayans were to have made rugs of feathers on which their royalty walked.

Finally the procession and the sweeping up as the procession passes.

http://antiguadailyphoto.com/category/holy-week/ Catch this link to get the full power of Semana Santa.

FAC

2011-05-02T20:39:00.000-07:00

When I was a young Mom I used to meet up with other Moms in the neighborhood on Friday afternoons. My friend Kathy thought this up, and thank goodness she did. We would meet at a different families house each week with our kids and a wine bottle in tow. The resident Mom would supply the taco dip du jour and the safe place for the kids to run amok. We Moms would talk and talk between 4 and 6 pm. Well those days are past and the kids are now young adults, some with children of there own. They all grew up to be slightly above average and responsible citizens. Whew!
Now I meet on Fridays with other artists we pay a model and we paint. We meet between 1 and 4 and do a few 5 minute poses and then a 10 and then finally a 20. If its a good pose we paint the pose with breaks every 20 minutes for an hour. We have had some wonderful models; some are friends, tango dancers, daughters, husbands and sons.

11"x17", Pastel, "Tango Memories"

This is the tango dancer, I brought this home and worked on it. This is entitled " Tango Memories" and is in the invitational at Aum Gallery https://www.facebook.com/AUMGallery. Now not all get completed, a lot get scrubbed. Here's one worked on a week ago.

8"x11", pastel quick painting.April

I'm still working on last Friday's piece. From time to time I will share some of these with you and you will know that I am just trying to get a quick image down. It's a good way to spend my Friday's.

Where the Spider Went

2011-04-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

Do you remember that old story about the vain Princess Arachne and the Goddess Athena. Well the short story is Athena turned Arachne into a spider as she wove more beautifully than Athena and dared to brag about it. That wonderfully weaving spider travelled far and is alive and well today among Mayan women in Guatemala. When you go to markets whether in Chichiconstanango, Solola, or Antigua you will find masses of handmade textiles. These are not made in factories or somewhere in Asia, but right there in the small homes of Guatemalan Mayans.

They are woven for the most part on Back Strap Looms by women. Especially the fabric for blouses, called Huipils and the fabric for skirts which are called Cortes. The fabric is not cut and seamed as in some great couturier house in Paris. The fabric which is woven the width of the weavers hips, is sewn into panels and made into the garment. It is said the Mayan woman weaves to keep order. Each morning she places her head and her children and husband place their heads at the center of fabric which she has made and represents the center of the world.

The colors and designs selected are those particular to the town in which the weaver originates.

the majority of the above huipils are from the Chichiconstanango region, the sun rays from the neckline identify them.

Originally natural dyes were used but of course now one can find other threads than cotton and linen. Although particular cotton plants introduced by the Spanish are still used as are native ones. linen and silk and acrylic threads are used as well. Also a standing loom(which is reputed to have been introduced by the Spanish) can be used and is more frequently used by men for larger widths of fabric. Material for a corte(skirt) can take approximately 8 hours to make.

Will this young girl grow to be the weaver her mother is? Or will she be wearing tee shirts and jeans and not know she was woven into the center of her mothers universe. The level of skill the material is woven among the indigenous people of Guatemala is consistently high but can it withstand the blunt hits of the modern world and the consistent beating of poverty. Will the goddess of weaving, Ixchel, still thrive among these people? Can the women receive fair value for their work? Many fair trade orgainzations are trying to make this possible.

For now, know that if you are a lover of exquisite craftsmanship and bold color Guatemala should be put on your bucket list.

Winter Surprises

2011-04-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

Small delicate color has finally burst forth at my house. I have owned an orchid plant for 6 years that has not put forth one flower. Finally this week with our topsy turvy Rocky Mountain spring weather ( 84 one day with snow and the 30's the nest day), inside my dry arid Colorado home beauty has arrived.
I wonder if my shy Denver orchid knew the magnificent orchid cousins I had seen in Guatemala.

This jade colored orchid is one of the most amazing sights. When I first saw it in Antigua 2 years ago it was in a small boutique hotel. It now resides at Las Escalonias a garden which has a small informal cafe on its grounds. Cafe de la Escalonia provides a wonderful place for a light lunch with fresh blended fruit juices and fine desserts under these hanging Thunbergia orchides.

I have seen these orchids in a number of home and restaurant gardens in Antigua. But thought you would enjoy being showered by raining orchids.

Immersed in Color

2011-03-30T10:05:00.000-07:00

I've just been engulfed in the color found in the country of Guatemala. A total color immersion experience!

I spent 6 weeks walking mainly the streets of Antigua. Building ankle strength on cobblestones and eye muscles as I looked at the color lined streets. Catching glimpses of homes, hotels, stores hidden behind restored 17th century walls.

Watching out for chicken buses as they barreled over the bumpy streets with "the workers" calling out "Guate!Guate! Guate" I decided after seeing how the Guatemalan buses were decorated that would be the job I would want. Transformation of yellow school buses to rapidly passing colorful buses.

Sharing the street with people walking from here to there wearing, beautifully woven clothing.

Past the yellow , La Merced church.

Looking up to see flowers cared, tended and simply flowering above rooftops and framing volcanoes.

I've returned to a brown, punctuated in my yard by 4 yellow daffodils and one morning the lines of white snow clinging to the edge of my garden framing fence.

But I know more wild color is coming. I sense a promise of color based on my previous 6 week experience in Central America.

Pastel Memories

2011-02-09T04:59:00.000-08:00

Getting ready to head down south to pretty gardens and warm streets. Way south to Central America to Guatemala the land of the wonderful weavers.

This is a pastel I am working on which shows two Guatemalan playing their native Marimba. I don't think I will take my pastels to G. But I will have my trusty camera and sketchbook with the brush tipped pins. Hope to come back bursting with ideas!

These are pastels based on last years trip.

Baby its Cold Outside!

2011-02-02T14:42:00.000-08:00

I think this painting by Alfred Sisley says it all! It was cold in 1878 and it is cold today in 2011! Fortunately, even though I have a scratchy throat and a little malaise I have good memories created about

by Alfred Sisley
"La Neige a Louveciennes-1878"
walking among the palms toward the beach in Nueva Vallarta. I know, I even complained because it was cooler than expected. But now that it is -1.1 degrees in Denver I have a whole new outlook.

Now I imagine I know how Paul Gauguin felt when he returned from Tahiti. Trying to expliquait to all of his Parisian friends the warmth of the sand. Trying to describe the waving palms and the boom of the surf in the early morning. So now this arctic blast has brought me a kinship back across time to a man for whom I had much admiration for his use of orange.

"Arearea-1892"
Paul Gauguin (1848-1903)
Museed'Orsay

One Day Off but still celebrating!

2011-01-20T09:34:00.000-08:00

"Pommes vertes" c 1873, Musee d'Orsay

The 19th of January was the official day of the artist Paul Cezanne's birthday. He was a master of making form solid. He did not use optical devices to create the illusion of form but rather attempted to create form by exaining all sides. This is an early painting of his that shows his love of form.
In a book entitled "A guide to Impressionist Landscapes" by Patty Lurie, a book designed to be used on a self designed walking tour, (Tours of sights artists painted long ago), I found sites Cezanne painted early in his career. When Cezanne was turning away from the use of black in his early Spanish influenced paintings he trailed around with Pisarro absorbing the use of lighter colors and painting out of the studio. He rented a place in Auvers, near Dr. Gatchet. Yes the Dr. Gatchet who later was to unsucessfully treat Van Gogh. Gatchet's house for 40years was a gathering place for artists; according to Ms. Lurie.

Ms. Lurie also points out the brighter colors Cezanne is allowing himself with which to paint and the fact that he is more interested in the forms of the structures rather than any wandering farmer or peasant the might be in the vicinity.

This painting was included in the first Impressionist Exhibit of 1874. To catch up on more of Cezannes' life and influence I include these 2 links. Enjoy and Celebrate! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Cézanne http://voices.washingtonpost.com/blog-post/2011/01/paul_cezannes_birthday_celebra.html

What Plein Aire artists do in the Winter

2011-01-19T16:50:00.000-08:00

They put on warm stuff and go outside. Check out Stapleton Kearns blog, which I have been following as he bravely pushes into the coooooold elements. http://stapletonkearns.blogspot.com/.

Here in Denver until this past week we had luxuriously warm winter weather. So with some fellow artists, instead of staying inside painting a model, we went outside. One of our fellow artists discovered Belmar Lake and we put on our heavy boots and bundled up a little ( eat your heart out Stapleton!).

Heather and Shelby are setting up and looking around. Shelby was the artist who clued me into this site. I love it because we are in the city but it feels like we are

much more isolated. Geese of course were everywhere. Horses could be seen being ridden on the other side of the lake, walkers were out and stopped by to note our progress.

Now that warm January day is but a memory. I am heading to a much more southern beach this coming weekend. Puerto Vallarta here I come! More beach pictures to come in the future!

http://stapletonkearns.blogspot.com/

Repetition

2011-01-11T17:00:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about the importance of repetition when a person makes resolutions. In my visual way the art work of Wayne Thiebaud sprang to my mind. Then I watched a stalled snow storm steadily and consistently spit out small flakes which continued to fall all day, then all night. That repeated consistency added up to 5 or 8 inches. Not enough to cause a problem just enough to remind us that it is winter. I looked out past the repeated pattern of stacked bricks which make up the walls of my house and over the grey vertical repeated wood lines which create our fence. I saw the naked twisted limbs of the maple trees. Limbs which are not the same length and have been formed by their response to the elements. Limbs which looked stunningly beautiful to my eyes. I thought again about repetition, consistency and resolutions. I know that repeating a good vow consistently can bring a successful resolution. I am thinking now about beauty.

Art Saves Lives

2011-01-04T07:47:00.000-08:00

Paintings, like poetry or music, are essential nutrients that help people sustain healthy lives. They’re not recreational pleasures or sidelines. They are tools that help us grasp the diversity of the world and its history, and explore the emotional capacities with which we navigate that world. They illuminate, they humble, they nurture, they inspire. They teach us to use our eyes and to know ourselves by knowing others.

Roberta Smith wrote the above in an article for the The New York Times, Friday 31 , 2010, Weekend edition entitled "A World of Paintings in One City"

My sister-in-law sent me this quote and it especially resonated with me as I thought about the future, the past, and New Years resolutions, which have been rolling around in my mind, these past days. For years I used to wear a pin a mother of one of my students gave me, it read- "Art Saves Lives" That plus the statement of Ms. Smith's sums up my feeling of the need for art in our lives. When I do finalize my resolutions this year I will use Ms. Smith's words as my credo.

Bonne Annee

One last Atelier Voyeuristic Peek

2010-12-29T14:18:00.000-08:00

Prior to the Winter Solstice when the days were the shortest of this year, and I and probably you were running about attempting to be "in the spirit"and making the best use of ones time and energy, I stopped running and visited a studio of a fellow artist friend. Jeanne was having an open studio, showing her work and place of work. Jeanne Echternach is a generous artist who lives in the southern end of Denver. Her studio has superlative double views- one of the Rocky Mountain Range and the other of the skyline of Denver.
I recall when Jeanne began her dream of creating her studio and increasing her artistic output. She has done both, now let me show a few shots of her studio and some of the work in her studio.

Jeanne's paintings can be seen at her website http://jeanneEchternachFineArt.com and at The Framed Image Gallery in Denver and the Colorado Mountain Gallery in Georgetown, Colorado.

Balancing Act

2010-12-13T10:38:00.000-08:00

This is the season when I can feel like I am trying to balance as delicately and precisely as the young woman in Picasso's "Acrobat on a Ball" ,1905.

It is the time of the Solstice the days are shorter and our/my lists are frequently longer. Today I have my feet poised before I go gliding off into the week BEFORE-- All the fun! For a little present look to the right side of this blog and check into the blog labeled "Rough Ideas". The artist Catherine White has found the energy to share her thoughts about Solstice in a drawings, and clay, for each day of the Solstice. I am inspired, which, of course - this season is about.

Artist Michelle Torrez, master oil painter represented by Saks Galleries...

2010-11-14T16:32:00.000-08:00

Last month a remarkably colorful exhibit occurred at Saks Gallery here in Denver. Although it is over and another cool exhibit is mounted (more about that in a coming post) I couldn't let the month go by without giving you the opportunity to hear Michelle Torrez talk about how she thinks about color. Take a moment and listen to Michelle and then look at some of the images she has created with her passion for color.

Artist Michelle Torrez, master oil painter represented by Saks Galleries...

2010-11-14T16:26:00.000-08:00

The First Snow!

2010-11-10T16:20:00.000-08:00

"The snow came down last night like moths

Burned on the moon; it fell till dawn,

Covered the town with simple cloths."

by Richard Wilbur from "First Snow in Alsace

Not to worry, we have had many a snow in the High Country. It is here below the foothills where we have had extended summer - we got SNOW! Then of course we had immediate melt, just as we do here in Colorado. It was the melt that was so dazzling and diamond-like, and I wanted to share this sight with you.

Do you see the icy pearls?

Ah the yellow, the sun, the shadow- tonight we get more snow. At last November is here!

Bringing the Outside In

2010-11-03T11:29:00.000-07:00

Starting in September as the promise of leaves turning occurs I begin to bring inside objects from outside. A friend sent these 2 lovely pattypan squash. What beautifully formed phantomes they have been sitting next to the Cinderella pumpkin, rescued from the garden. Then came the glorious fall we are currently experiencing and in came branches and color.

Looking at all this glorious color made me turn to look at some of my favorite artists who were also inspired by Autumn's which they experienced.

"Pont de Charing Cross-Vers 1906",Huile sur toile, Andre Derainm Musee d'Orsay, Musee d' Orsay

"Restaurant de la Machine, a Bougival-1905", huile sur toile, Maurice de Vlaminck, Musee d' Orsay

These artists brought us IN to the world they interpreted OUTSIDE. Coming up next week will be an exhibition of Colorado plein aire artists http://gtmd.org/calendarinfo.aspx?od=dpaaf_10_pro. Once again you will have an opportunity to look at the OUTSIDE and bring it IN.

Round ripe autumn shapes

2010-11-01T19:48:00.000-07:00

I've been looking at the shape of things this Autumn. I've been especially motivated as I'm working with a group of 5th graders helping them to focus on shapes and how artists use shapes as they make their art. all October I kept noticing round shapes and took photos of them. Before November marches too far along I want to share some round things.
The first round shape I noticed was the beautiful round shape of the fig.

Can't you imagine these lovely colors used in a dining room for wall et.al. If I were Donna Frasca of http://colorspecialist-charlotte.blogspot.com/ I could quickly tease 3 major colors which could be used in your interior. Check her out to see her magic.
I however looked at these luscious figs and made a fig clafouti. Because I knew my friend Eugenie (who reads this blog) would ask "What is a clafouti ?" I am going to include a recipe and pictures. You need 16 to 18 small and/or medium figs. I like a variety. If you have medium ones you halve them, or if you have large ones you quarter them and set them aside while- you bring
marsala wine, 1/4 cup
and 1/4 cup of brown sugar,
plus 2TBSP water to boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and let your figs soak in the liquid for 15 minutes,turning them.
While the figs are soaking, preheat an oven and butter a baking pan. Use either a round 12" or rectangular 12"x18". I of course used neither mine was square.
Now you make the batter. Combine in a mixing bowl- 1 cup milk
1/4 cup heavy cream ( remember this is French)

   1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
   3 eggs
   1 tsp vanilla extract
   1/8 tsp salt
   2/3 cup flour sifted
   Beat w/an electric mixer until frothy, about 5 minutes.
Pour enough into the baking dish to the bottom about 1/4 inch. put in the 350 F oven for 2 minutes. Remove from the oven and carefully arrange the figs evenly over the batter. It is fun to vary them some up, others down, etc.. now pour the remaining batter over and around the figs. Bake the clafouti until the batter is puffed and brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes more at higher altitudes. Serve warm from the oven and you might sprinkle it with powdered sugar. Tiens Voila!
It is quite delicious. I think I will save my other round observations for my next Post.

Right now I am going to have a little piece of warm clafouti -ummm!

Celebrating Autumn, Exposition, Exhibition

2010-10-27T21:05:00.000-07:00

"12x18", "Tournesol, Nature de Mort"

One of the best flowers to herald fall are sunflowers and Friday, October 29 is the opening of a "Sunflower Invitational". It is here in Denver at Aum Gallery which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Just a peek at some sunflowers which I will have on display.

8" X11", "Backyard Sunflowers"
These are teases as there are many more. On both sides of the street galleries are celebrating 20 and 25 years of success. Fridays are good art nights in Denver. 5PM to 8 PM, at York and Colfax.

Pierre Bonnard

2010-10-20T12:06:00.000-07:00

Felicitations to a Colorist!

2010-10-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

Growing up drawing and looking at line was encouraged and important in my family life. I lived in the middle of the country surrounded by strong winds, extremes of temperature and closeted by familial love. Museums of great art were not in my landscape. Dreaming was encouraged, looking in books at pictures and actually creating ones own observations. The artist whose original art I saw was that of the Swedish artist Berger Sandzen. His painting and prints were hung in every local school of my home town. They were a part of the background through which I moved.

As you can see from this painting Sandzen was well identifed as a colorist. I absorbed these colors and didn't realize until much later how this work was to lay the groundwork for the love of color. When I was a college student I finally went to a major art musem the Nelson Museum in Kansas City. It was not until I went on an arty trip with fellow lovers of line and color to the Chicago Art Institute did I bump into a resounding colorist and fall hopelessly in amazement and admiration. We took the train up from KC to Chicago and went on a walking/awakening tour of the architecture of Chicago, we went to the print room of the Chicago Art Institue and looked closely at original drawings and prints. But it was not until I walked into an exhibit of Pierre Bonnard's work did I understand how much I valued emotional and expressive color.

"The Breakfast Room". (c.1930-31) Oil, 62 7/8 x 44 7/8 ". The Art Institute of Chicago, Clyde M. Carr Fund

Did you notice the size, the color and yet the intimacy which draws you in to Bonnard's world? Well this is the birthday month for Pierre Bonnard. I will during the course of this month bring you more opportunities to look at the beauty created by one of my favorite artists.

Autumn Found!

2010-10-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

Wandering around Westerly Creek in Stapleton I bumped into new evidences of Autumn and some new sculptures which I will share with you. These late sunflowers which I spied are those old wild Kansas sunflowers. They hang on some of them until after the first snow and can be found even in alleys growing between cracks. They are tough and hardy.

I know, I know everyone else wants the autumns with changing leaves I am drawn to grasses and vistas. Above is part of a series of concave terra cotta forms which have been arranged over 3 or 4 acres in groups of 5, 3 or more. Their color and rough exterior enhance the land, I will have to find out who the artist is that created them. To me they seem a good choice for this land which not only tolerates bipeds and their pets during the day but the wily coyote and the ungrateful prairie dog. So here is the beginning of Autumn for me and it seems I am not alone as I spied other autumn admirers looking at the land and the vista that day.

Searching for Autumn

2010-10-06T21:53:00.000-07:00

I know it has been awhile since my last post. I have been searching for Autumn. Even though the light did become a little softer it is still very warm. I visited my friend Bev and her husband to see the color and light play around their garden. They are two colorist's and are always thinking of new ways to engage the eye in their garden.

Do you think this blue bird has seen the colors of Autumn in his garden?

Here in nooks and crannies color has been tucked. So that as you walk you can spy red, teal, green in a myriad of shapes.

If you look up you can see the studio beckoning through the leaves.

Color is found painted on pots and on eyes that watch you as you walk through the garden.

That Golden Glow

2010-09-19T21:02:00.000-07:00

Summer ended with a golden kiss of promise. That kiss for the future was imbued in the ochre light of the autumn which was coming on.

Ochre like love is an ancient color and has been used by humans since the earliest of times. In a cave in northern Australia predating the caves of Lascaux yellow ocher was used. Since Neolithic times humans have made yellow to describe, and symbolize their days. In Pharonic Egypt, yellow was used to depict the sun, gold, and to differentiate the complexion of female from male in sarcophagi. In 2500 BC the Egyptians developed a yellow color called an orpiment a natural yellow pigment derived from arsenic sulfide. This wonderful warm dangerous golden tone was used by the Greeks and many other cultures. Cennino Cennini warned painters not to soil their tongues with this dangerous paint. Finally its use was banned in the 19th century. So then in trying to capture golden tones, Naples yellow, a color which contained lead was invented, Rubens used it when he painted fleshtones.

Venus at a Mirror, 1651, Liechtenstien

All over the world ancient peoples worked on capturing that golden glow. Cosmos and dahlias were used by the Aztecs to create a dye, Turkey used chamomile, western Africans the kola nut and golden rod was used by some native Americans. Then of course that essence from crocus pistils, saffron makes the most expensive yellow dye of all.

This color, yellow, which I associate with September and the heralding of fall in the Rocky Mountains,

Steamboat Spgs, Colorado, Fall 2009

is a color I will be watching as it unfolds in the topmost trees of our urban forest in Denver and reaches high to the tallest peaks of Colorado. What better way to herald the passing of the sun and its embrace of the land than in the golden warmth of young promise.

The Best Weekend Ever! Part 1

2010-09-08T20:23:00.000-07:00

Since December when my daughter Johanna became engaged,( You can check this out at
http://nativemoments.blogspot.com/2009/12/proposal-picture.html) a slow rhythm has been building and it finally came to a crescendo last weekend. A beautiful crescendo- Nature obliged and the hot muggy weather, that part of Kansas can have- on Labor Day weekend - never occurred. Instead still, calm quiet graceful days unfolded into a beautiful family occasion for a celebration for a young couple with a fresh and open style.

We all assembled at The Circle S Ranch http://www.circlesranch.com/secOffer/Weddings/Weddings.htm
It was a family affair, cake and pie stands were donated by family and friends.

Pies made by family members, Jams made with Colorado fruit by me, decorative swags sewn by Johanna and hung by all. Flowers were locally grown and decorations made and donated. So this post is about the ambiance and a later post will be more about the event.

Flowers were picked from the roadside and used to decorate the altar.

While the Bridal Party got ready and photographers prepared to take photos family members hung out, talked, played croquet, bocce, badminton and enjoyed the day.

The Bridal Party

The Groom, Ryan and Bride Johanna and Bridesmaid Kate (sister of the Bride)

The Bride and Groom

Anticipation!

2010-08-31T17:47:00.000-07:00

Check out my daughters blog because that is where all of my energy and excitement has gone.
www.nativemoments.blogspot.com- Later- I 'll let you have the full report from my side and you can check in from her side.

So here is a cool lively Natalie Merchant concert to tide you over--Natalie Merchant sings old poems to life | Video on TED.com

Link: http://www.ted.com/talks/natalie_merchant_sings_old_poems_to_life.html

I'll have to see what else my mind comes up with while it wanders over lists- checking them more than twice- spraying birdcages with high gloss. Doing this and that. Enjoy until after the wedding!

Abiento!

Coming Celebration! What Will She Wear?

2010-08-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

Something really exciting is going to happen in my family in two weeks time, can you guess? Take a preview by looking at the manner in which women have dressed for this moment since the 15th C. until now.

" The Arnolfini Wedding" Jan Van Eyck, 1434, Belgium

1951, English, Norman Hartnell, Designer, Victoria & Albert collections

"Farewell Sweet Liberty"
1992, England
Joe Casely-Hayford-designer
Liberty & Co. LTD

"Qui a le droit"
Black Wedding Dress
1992, Paris
Christian Lacroix
Victoria & Albert

Hopefully during the first part of September I can send you pictures of the dress my daughter has designed, made and worn. My mind is bumping around from normal daily activities, to being filled with anticipation. Whew! maybe some yoga meditation is in order if only I could hold my flitting mind open. Mean while keep tuning in as I try to remember to write here and not be busily off on my upcoming family adventures.

Did you notice the variety of color as well as form for these dresses?

Just a note on Van Eyck's famous wedding picture entitled "The Arnolfini Wedding"- I had always believed that Mrs. Arnolfini was pregnant in this picture but I found out while researching this that she is merely holding her dress in front of her belly as was the custom of the time.

Passions Power

2010-08-17T20:56:00.000-07:00

I am teaching a small art class at a nearby school. This is the time for teachers to meet and prepare themselves for the upcoming annual learning tasks. This video was shown to us today and I found it very thoughtful. Sir Ken Robinson is a lively speaker. In 2007 his speech on Creativity made the rounds so it is good to see what he is thinking of now.
Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution! | Video on TED.com

Take a moment and watch Ken Robinson talk about the power of passion and learning. Although he is talking about education think of his words in reference to adult learning and creativity as well.

August Associations

2010-08-12T08:46:00.000-07:00

How many of you know August is the time of wakefulness and nightmares for a large part of the population. If you are a teacher you are past pretending that summer still lingers on. Your mind betrays you as you awake in the night -

Odilon Redon,Le Char d'Apollon" Musee d'Orsay

you thought you were at the cottage, seashore but instead here you are your mind racing NOT ON VACATION trying to figure out how you can get all the students in your class to sit quietly, be focused and excited about learning. You know this year will be improved and different and you begin to make the "grand plan".

Berthe Morissot , "La Lecture", Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg Fla.

I dreamed for many years how to recreate this Picasso picture in my classroom. Little artists would be so engrossed and only the noise of creative industry would be heard in my classroom.

Pablo Picasso, "Claude dessinant, Francoise et Paloma"-1954, Musee Picasso

So heres to teachers and their students as they ready themselves for their scholastic adventures!

Using Red to Make Memories

2010-07-29T12:28:00.000-07:00

"COLOR THINKS by itself, independently of the objects it clothes"
___Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867)

What did Baudelaire mean? Did he mean the strawberry as a beautifully juicy fruit had no conscious will to be red? I know that red in nature can mean danger, poison! Did the strawberry become red so that not all birds and bears would eat up the entire species, saving some for me and my new canning skills? Or did he mean that humans give this color all its meaning and the color only receives it?

Red can mean protection as the ancients used to sew(embroider) it to the openings of garments to protect the wearer, it can demand attention as a stop sign or as a red carpet. It provides homage when royalty dons it.

It will signify delicious aromas, images when I turn the lid of my recently canned strawberry jam some winter morning in the future. I will remember the kindness of my friend Jill as she taught me how to make a summer memorable and turn a small red fruit into a gift given at my daughters wedding to the guests.

Ah the final picture will be taken later when we can line all the Colorado strawberries, apricots, peaches ensconced in small glass jars at the wedding. I also will be sure to paint that image of fruit and snowy morning- there is more to come with red and I will continue to think of Baudelaire's observation.

Take a trip, Go on a Vacation!

2010-07-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

Vacations have long been known to be good for the soul, body and intellect. I am going to send you on a vacation to my virtual friend Casey Klahn's blogsite. http://thecolorist.blogspot.com/ Once you get to this new terrain - enjoy looking around but your destination is the button in the right hand column entitled "Art
and Physics". Get something refreshing to drink- sit back and watch and interesting lecture. I guarantee your enjoyment as you contemplate - space, time and color.

To see you on your way I am posting these paintings for you.

Have fun! Let me know how it was - Au revoir et bon voyage!

A Shout out to Edgar Degas!

2010-07-19T22:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Edgar Degas , master pastelist. He caught the intimate, quiet and personal moments of his subjects. I always feel as though I am gazing back through time at a real fleeting moment. Degas also was a wonderful pastelist and is well known for using the famed Roche pastels check this link to see the pastels he used which are still being made today.

http://www.lamaisondupastel.com/documents/DVD_Degas_and_the_dance.mp4

Edgar Degas

At the Milliner's by Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas
is a pastel on pale gray woven paper, laid down on
silk bolting (30 x 34 inches). This work can be seen at
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

His compositions show cropping , close ups and the use of diagonals. He is known for using many sketches to create a single composition. He also used photography and had an early Kodak camera. I , of course love his pastels but Degas used beaucoup media. He painted in oils, sculpted in clay, drew all the time and used the printmaking medium. He would create monotypes and work back into them using oils and pastel to create a richer image.

He came from the wealthy de Gas family of France who made their money in banking in Italy. His mother was a Musson and her family was Creole and became wealthy in the Louisiana cotton business. He was to spend three years as a young man in Italy studying and being influenced by Italian art. He also spent almost a year in New Orleans visiting his American family. His family as they read, and did small household chores is often the subject of his art.

Give yourself a Degas celebration and look at his work this week. Felicitations a Degas!

More RED

2010-07-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

Just was made aware of this post by Pam Farrell on the color RED. I thought all of my fellow color-rites would enjoy it as I do. http://pfarrellartblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/seeing-redlittle-red-squares.html

To Market To Market

2010-07-15T13:42:00.000-07:00

Summer time not only is time for Art Markets - such as the Cherry Creek Art Market over the 4th of July but for produce Markets. I love markets and am always photoing and painting market scenes wherever I travel. Last weekend I travelled to my own backyard/neigborhood/ville - here in Denver and discovered a whole panoply of reds

The reds move from the tinted reds of the radishes to the red violets found in red onions. All but the reds of the tomatoes are reds come to fruit in Colorado. These tomatoes have made the journey from Iowa, wait another two weeks for home grown tomato reds.

I always feel I get to know the locals when I travel to a local market. The golden forsythia I once saw in Lyon, France, the tomatoes of Solala, Guatemala, the cabbages in Vence, France, - I have painted them all and feel when I do I have a better understanding of the population who grew, sold, and bought them.

4th of July weekend Arty happenings!

2010-06-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

This weekend we have many arty beginnnings. The King Tut exhibit which will be at the Denver Art Museum until January, opens. It will travel on to New York after Denver. http://www.denverartmuseum.org/

Then it is the 20th anniversary of The Cherry Creek Art Festival. It will be the 3rd, 4th,and 5th. Two of my dear friends will be exhibiting in booths 67 and 68, Go see Eugenie Torgerson and Edward Avila. Well worth the look. http://www.cherryarts.org/

The Biennial of the Americas also begins http://www.biennialofthearts.org/ Of course this is First Friday down on Santa Fe (the street in Denver not the town in New Mexico).

Finally in the cool Foothills in the town known as Evergreen there is an all Pastel exhibit at the Evergreen Arts Center. I have 3 pieces in it. The opening is Friday, July 2 and closes on the 30th of July. http://www.evergreenarts.org/ . If you want to escape the hot city and see some color come visit with me on Friday evening.

Artists Summer Play Fun

2010-06-27T21:21:00.000-07:00

I remember those long summer days as a kid when my Mom would look at me and say , " Go play with your friends today". I am still taking her words to heart and since summer days are here I am trying to play as much as I can. A couple of friends emailed and said they had 2 good models, good photo ops, time for painting and a picnic opportunity. So off to a Denver park we went, took photos, painted and noshed on good food.

We had a great time under the tall cool trees. Artists came with their grandchildren, who also painted, we were invigorated and we decided the following weekend would also be good.
This past weekend was verr-ry warm here in the city. Luckily we went into the foothills which was 20 degrees cooler. I arrived in time to be told about a quite large bear that had lumbered into view of the paparazi-like arty photogs only to think better of it and move on out of there. We continued on painting and photographing a beautiful model, both inside and outside the mountain studio of one of our fellow artists.

My colors were charcoal black and white as I forgot my Wallis paper, but the day was still lovely and we will be repeating the format again as it seems to be a winning one. Where in the Denver area ?--- but I will make certain to check and recheck my supplies - easel, Pastel paper, Pastels, tracing paper (for safely transporting a completed painting), tape, board for taping pastel paper to - what else? Sketching paper and charcoal in case all else fails. What are your most important items you bring when painting alla prima or plein aire? The most important ingredient is artists who enjoy working out doors and have a spirit of adventure. Hurrah for summer!

Ateliers in Colorado

2010-06-25T13:02:00.000-07:00

In the spring of 2009 I wrote a post about the artist known to his friends as "Stroh". Stroh is not only a fine artist but he is a gardener and someone who loves to work on creating his own unique working and living space. He does the latter with the keen artistic eye of his Artist wife, Bev. He and Bev make a strong creative team. I would like to give you glimpses of their studio and garden. Perhaps another day we can return to that magical garden,

Their studio is a rebuilt garage which has become integrated into their garden. Terraces and shady trees guard it and make it an inviting space.

Looking out from the interior of the studio toward the garden.

What everyone wants to know, "how do they store their arty stuff"?

Stroh working on a new piece.

I love looking at the space of people who have "a lifetime burning" for creating art. Jacques Villon the French painter ( who did not gain true recognition until his 70's) liked to make reference to Cennino

Cennini and say that "Before starting to paint one should follow Cennini's advice and say a prayer".

I didn't ask Stroh or Bev if they follow this advice but I do feel they are surrounded by a bit of heaven when they walk through their garden to their studio.

Moore garden scenes

2010-06-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

Last night we went to hear the jazz pianist Chick Corea along with drum legend Roy Haynes perform at the Botanic Gardens. The gardens were alive with sound and visual rhythm.

While walking around the gardens and listening to the mellow jazz in the evening I could not help but notice these beautiful Foxtail Lilies and thought I would share them with you.

Celebrating Artistry/Joyful Color

2010-06-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

Looking at this pensive lady one would hardly guess the artist who painted this was know for using purples, pinks and blues. He worked and showed his art with Matisse, Vlaminck, Braque and Picasso. He was influenced and is often considered to be a Fauvists. His name and tomorrow June 9th's birthday boy is Andre Derain. The way we use and think about color today has occurred because of the work Derain did. We stand on his back or walk in his footprints whichever metaphor you prefer. He was born in 1880 and died as the result of a car accident in 1954.

The other artist whose birthday, I am celebrating this June 9th is not as well known. But to those who knew her , her influence was profound. She had a personality which could project many sparkling colors and an artful way of living as well as influencing and encouraging those she knew to reach into their creative wells and to be brave explorers. Her name is Josephine Barker McLeod, She was born in 1918 and died in 1989.

Josephine Barker McLeod

1918-1989

I was fortunate to know this artist intimately as she is my mother.

Soleil at the Botannic Gardens

2010-06-06T20:40:00.000-07:00

Henry Moore in the clear high air of Colorado. Did he ever imagine he would travel to this part of the world?

This is a Henry Moore MOMENT

Mysterious Craftsmen

2010-06-04T13:54:00.000-07:00

In Beauty

may I walk
All day long
may I walk
Through the returning seasons
may I walk
Beautifully will I possess again
Beautifully birds

Beautifully joyful birds
On the trail marked with pollen
may I walk
With grasshoppers about my feet
may I walk
With dew about my feet
may I walk
With beauty may I walk
With beauty before me
may I walk
With beauty above me
may I walk

With beauty all around me

may I walk

In old age, wandering on a trail of beauty, lively,

may I walk

In old age, wandering on a trail of beauty,

living again,

It is finished in beauty.

From the Navajo

photos from May 2010 visit

Chaco Canyon, inhabited for 300 years

between 800AD to 1200AD, a planned

community with beautiful masonry, a community of ancestral Pueblan culture. In what is today known as northern New Mexico. Find out more in the beautifully written "House of Rain", by Craig Childshttp://www.houseofrain.com/. Also check out this film narrated by Robert Redford.http://www.solsticeproject.org/

Put this magical valley on your "Bucket List".

High Flying Color

2010-05-29T11:54:00.000-07:00

Wow!~ Out in my front yard Spring has Sprung! I have been so busy enjoying wave after wave of color that I have not posted one colorful thought. Let me change that and go the visual route.

Did you know that Iris is the Greek Goddess for the Messenger of Love her flower is the symbol of communication and love.

Iris had the duty of taking women's souls to the Elysian Fields.

Greek men planted her flowers on the graves of their beloved women .

Hues of Brown/ Rootbeer.

Here is to colorful memories / painting / planting on this Memorial Day weekend.

Atelier Voyeur

2010-05-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

" Ballad of the Jealous Lover",1934, The Spencer Art Museum, Lawrence, KS

With May in Denver feeling like March weather NEVER left I am going to reflect a few weeks back when I was in much warmer Kansas City. I discovered that the Studio of the regional artist Thomas Hart Benton was a few blocks away from my daughter's apartment and open to the public.

So how do artists set up their space, I wonder with much the same interest I have in wanting to know how homeowners store their stuff? Especially since I always seem to create places that are prone to tumbling down.

Boom Town

The studio is left as it was on the last night Mr Benton painted in it in 1978. This studio can be found at 3616 Belleview Ave. Kansas City, MO. When I look at it through the eyes of a colorist I see a quarried limestone home with subdued colors yet a feeling of comfort and ecleticism. He had a window put in the northside of his garage/carriage house and there he painted from 1939 to 1978.

Prior to that time Mr. Benton traveled to Paris where he attended school. He also lived in NYC where he worked with the Art Students League. Some say he was influenced by the work of Bruegel which he saw in Europe. He was influenced by the Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. His work was too regionalist for the Parisians and he was not political enough for the New York art scene. Yet he was named after the first state senator from Missouri and his father had high political ambition for him. Instead Benton became an artist who prided himself on knowing the various regions of the USA and the foibles and social difficulties of its inhabitants. He was an artist and a teacher. One of his most famous students was Jackson Pollock. Some say that Benton's circular dynamic compostions which pulled the artists eye in was employed by Pollock in his drip paintings. What do you think?

Mural at the Missouri State Capital

Jackson Pollack

Sounding Out

2010-05-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

Thought I would be out of the studio by now and working outside/Plein aire. It is still a little nippy to sit or stand, observe, respond and paint. So I have been inside trying to work trying to challenge myself to quickly and intuitively solve visual problems instead of overworking them.
Had a wonderful respite. One of my all time favorite musicians was in town- Lyle Lovett. I love to listen to him. His music is so lush and he is so thoughtful. He performed for a fundraiser at Colorado Academy. In a gymnasium with only 700 other people I was able to see and hear him. His musicianship and artistry are so strong. Take a peek at the video which I have attached and it might remind you as it did me of the paintings of the Belgian surrealist painter Rene Magritte.

http://music.aol.com/video/in-my-own-mind/lyle-lovett/1450679

"l'Homme au Chapeau Melon" by Rene Magritte in 1964.

Lively artists/ Artists Atelier/studios

2010-04-25T17:04:00.000-07:00

Some people walk by their neighbors homes at night and enjoy the warm lights through the windows of families gathering and living their life. I enjoy the idea of lights and windows reflecting the industrious long hours of artists working in thier studios. I am beginning a series of artists I know and admire and the studios in which they work. First off let me say my studio is not yet realized but it is much better. I have moved from a corner of the basement shared with my cats to a refurbished small basement bedroom vacated happily by my daughter (she moved on to her adult life). So this is not my dream studio I have more visions. One of my favorite books is Alexander Liebermans' "The Artist in His Studio". Let me show you a glimpse of Paul Cezannes' last studio.

I recently had the great fortune of visiting the Colorado Studio of Joellyn Duesberry, see my Feb. 13, 2010 posting -"With love/Out and About". A friend of mine purchased a painting of Ms. Duesberry's and we went to her studio. She has a lovely small barn in south Denver. Her house and garden are a few steps away.I love to see the materials an artist uses for researching the work which they do. My friend giddy with the difficult decision of selecting a painting. (Here's the secret she loves them all). So now you have seen glimpses of a working artists studio and I hope to introduce you to more Colorado artists and their studios in the months to come. Cheers and heres to you and your studio!

Dancing with Degas on the Plains

2010-04-21T16:50:00.000-07:00

" Spring, the sweet spring, is the year's pleasant king,
Then blooms each thing, then maids dance in a ring,
Cold doth not sting, the pretty birds do sing:
Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo!"
by Thomas Nashe ( 1567-1601 )

When I time it just right I can hop in my car and drive from Denver to Kansas City and have my eyes increasingly filled with the color of spring as I drive East. I leave my house with its just blooming Forsythia and marching tulips to run into a ballet made up of blooming redbud trees some where between Salina and Kansas City.

When I spy those flowering trees, tucked into new green fields I immediately am reminded of the rows of ballet dancers in tulle which Degas painted and drew.

Ah Edgar Degas in Kansas! Who would have thought it? I know he would have given the glorious color of the redbuds this name.

Dancing among the Spring grasses in the Flint Hills of Kansas.

Sweet colors of Pacque

2010-03-31T16:28:00.000-07:00

A few Printemps ago I took a trip to Lyon, France with my sister to visit my niece and her family. I was struck by the brilliant yellow of the forsythias on a grey day.

See the poisson (luscious chocolate fish) in the fenetre (window). The French Easter/Pacque motifs are not bunnies running around but fish.

Ah Delicious!

Ah savoring Spring in Lyon with my sister!!

Have a memorable Fete de Printemp with your family this week!

The Secret of Keeping your Art Mojo Alive

2010-03-17T14:28:00.000-07:00

I started collecting art when I was in college. Fortunately, for me I married a man who loves to collect also. Everywhere we have lived we have gotten to know the community we are in through its artists and artistic contributions. While living in Okinawa, Japan, I continued my love of contemporary printmaking by collecting the work of Japanese contemporary printmakers, learned about Mingei (Japanese Folkart) and was introduced to Japanese culture through the various arts and crafts. Now I live in a small house with a variety of objects, both two dimensional and three, let alone the dog, two cats and friends and children. Soo because I love to cast my eyes on objects and do not like to be inundated with too much visual clutter I have developed a way of putting on display only parts of our collection at a time. Every 2, 3, or 4 months, whenever the spirit moves me I change the objects on my walls. No, I don't repaint and sometimes, frequently- I don't change the nail holes (that is part of the challenge).

For instance, somewhere around the end of February or the first part of March I pull out more of our Japanese collection, in particular our Hinaningyo. Hinaningyo are dolls which were traditionally used to celebrate, The Doll'sFestival, Momo-no Sekku (Hinamatsuri) and is celebrated on March 3.

Because I have 2 girls (now young women, not living here) I especially enjoyed the idea of having a time set aside for their celebration. But because I am not Japanese I did not display them in the traditional manner. I arrange ours, to fit in a small alcove in our Living Room. Traditionally there would be the Emperor and Empress, followed by the royal court and appropriate displays of food and peach blossoms. Our ningyo(dolls) come from a collection which was divided, so is not complete.

I also change the pictures in my Living room and Dining room to go with the season. I don't put up all Japanese or all city scapes or landscapes. I find that too boring. I do think that art when juxtaposed with other work, becomes richer especially if they might share compositional or color similarities.

This year because we were not at home, March 3, I did not put these dolls out until this past week. Last year I did try an exhibit of ONLY landscapes which I felt was visually boring. I enjoy letting the Ningyo have their moment away from the tissue coverd boxes they reside in, when not on display.

Besides I can only think that Spring must be round the corner, (even if the snow is flying here in Denver), when I see this lady and silk screen print done by my friend Eugenie Torgerson.

I remember the Springs of Okinawa when I get this dancing lady out.

Or set this lady dancing on the bingata (ikat dyed fabric from Okinawa) of a Noren (curtain).

These objects allow me to remember and to

look at the new visual liveliness they will bring to my life before I tuck them away for another time when Spring needs heralding.

Ah so you get it?! My Mojo, my secret energy booster is often visual and creating a space which is visually energetic must be flexible.

Colores de Guatemala

2010-03-05T12:22:00.000-08:00

I've returned once again from a country which dazzles my eyes with color and emotion each trip. Guatemala has much magic and one aspect which is often focused on, and rightly so, is the weaving made by the various indigenous groups of people. The close packed tightly woven fabric can be seen everywhere one travels in the highlands. I picked up an excellent book in Antigua which is making me think more deeply about the fabric and helping me to look at the land, air and environment through the glasses of the colors and weft of the fabric. "Weaving Space: Textiles and Tales from Guatemala" David B. Greene is the author. So let me show you a few pictures of the space which people walk through in the markets.

I selected these photos because I wanted you to see the ease with which the color red-violet is interjected into the everyday life. See the stunningly woven blouse the women is wearing in the bottom picture. She has a sun-ray embroidered neckline which I believe indicates she is from the Chichiconstenango area. Now, I am not an expert just an admirer. A person whose eyes become happily filled with color.

These are tortillas carefully arranged in overlapping concentric circles. We asked the two Mayan women who helped us in the kitchen of the Cascade Medical Team if we could purchase handmade tortillas from them for one of our meals. They brought them in baskets gently warm and invitingly arranged. A treat for the eye and tummy. Notice how the repeated colors of the cloth create a visual rhythm as they enfold the tortillas.

Last year I began a series of paintings based on what I experienced in Guatemala and the colors of the color wheel. This is one I did thinking about the red-violet colors I had seen on the lawn and noticing the beauty this gardener was carefully picking up.

Heading South

2010-02-17T13:35:00.000-08:00

My husband and I are heading south for the 3rd year to be involved with assisting a medical group for 10 days in the hills of Guatemala. If you would like to learn more then you can look at http://www.helpsintl.org/, and look at the article entitled "Changing the Lives Changed Her Life". This is about a young woman who worked with a team similar to the one in which we work. I will be helping to cook meals for the 144 medical and support team members. My husband will be building ONIL stoves in Mayan homes and my daughter will be helping the Dental team with translating and the young children. Here are a few pictures of some of the things which fill our eyes and mind while we are there.

With love/ Out and About!

2010-02-13T11:36:00.000-08:00

gave myself an early Valentine yesterday. I had been thinking about 3 landscape artists who are having shows here in Denver. For various unforgivable reasons I had missed their openings. So I thought the middle of the afternoon during the week would be an excellent time to have a quiet moment with their art. I knew each artist would use "landscape" differently but until I made the trip to see their art I had no true idea.

The first artist's work I visited was the art of Joellyn Duesberry. I had seen an earlier show of hers a week ago entitled "Sharpening the Edge" at the Denver Botanic Gardens.

I became acquainted with her work in the early '90's through pieces the Denver Art Museum purchased and then through various magazine articles I had read. I personally am very much drawn (no pun intended) to her paintings.

Now let me say right now, lets get it out, I love to look at her work. I am delighted with her packed compositions. Notice how high her horizon usually is.

I bought a video about her and have been reading about how she has developed, so today only, I am probably close to being an expert about her oeuvre. If you have questions please put them to me. So I bet you could tell she is interested in structure and she is a plein aire painter as well as a studio painter.

This is a smaller painting. Her work is frequently quite large and can be tripdyches and dypdyches.

Ooh, I forgot to say I got to see a larger collection of Joly's work (no, I don't know her personally but the gallery owner called her that, and I am a quick learner). Ms. Duesberry's work can be seen, if you live in Denver at 1261 Gallery, in a show entitled "Landscape Survey", until February 27. Ms. Duesberry currently spends time between Denver and Maine.

This painting is of the Maine coast.

However she has lived and traveled in and to a variety of places in the world. I especially enjoyed seeing her carry a large canvas on site and begin working on it. Now I haven't seen her do this in person but in the video "Dialogue with the Artist", Joellyn Duesberry. www.joellynduesberry.com

You can watch her working on site on a painting "Above the Elk river, Steamboat Springs". This painting is 72"x60". She notes that she is influenced by Cezanne and her work reflects that. A major influence was moving west and hitting the clear bright light that is out here and has influenced and changed so many painters,( such as Georgia O'Keefe), but also studying with Richard Diebenkorn for a month in Santa Fe in 1986. Actually I am going to have you enjoy some more of her work.

In these two paintings you can observe how she likes to work on site during warm weather and then during the winter months, move into her studio and rethink her work. She frequently does this by making a monoprint and in that process simplifing her idea.

So here is a final monoprint and I will end todays post and talk about the other two landscape artists I saw another day. If you are interested in landscape you might also be interested in looking at and thinking about landscapes you could look up The Art of the Landscape which Katherine Tyrrell is putting together. http://art-landscape.blogspot.com, http://makingamark.blogspot.com/

Color Intersection

2010-02-06T08:02:00.000-08:00

In the middle of winter I can count on seeing reds, oranges and purples at the Botannical Gardens. I can step into a humid warm place and feel and get a botannical preview of my upcoming trip to Guatemala.

I didn't know I could get almost the same effect at the Vance Kirkland Museum here in Denver until I visited there this past week. I ran into many recognizable forms and colors but without the humidity.

Vance Kirkland is a Colorado artist who lived from 1904 - 1981, this is a so called dot painting, a series upon which he worked from 1963-1981.

Color as painted by Kirkland in his Floating Abstracts from 1951-1954, and tropical plants from the gardens.

Color intersects with Nature and the Artist.

For more information check out http://www.kirklandmuseum.org/ and the Denver Botannical Gardens.