newer artist statement

"For years the vast open plains have intrigued me in their simple beauty. I recall hours of watching the landscape span past me in bands of color from the backseat of our Buick station wagon during family cross-country trips. I am still mesmerized by this understated beauty. The landscape around me has shaped my aesthetic.

The horizon has captivated me, first as a visual expanse, secondly as a symbol of the human condition. Each goal we strive for becomes a line in our near or distant future. For me, these horizons are about our transitions, representing our goals and aspirations, the possibilities of what lies ahead, and our intention for the future. As we reach a goal, others may appear. – [I suppose depending upon the ambitiousness of a person, but it is my observation that human nature is to stretch our reach.]

The act of cultivation in agriculture intrigues me, I appreciate the attempt made to tame the enormous and ever-changing entity of land. I'm sure at times a seemingly futile task. But the repetition and difference involved is very exciting and entrancing to me, this meditative rhythmic difference and repetition also emerges in the visual language. A harmonious, subtle tension created by an integration of structure and the unplanned. Horizon is the channeled form; Color creates a dialogue.

I now find myself documenting my cross-country travels by digital camera, I rarely utilize these snapshots in my paintings – usually just to spark my memory of a place or a particular moment. The paintings are therefore not a literal translation of the place, rather a filtering of my experience of the day, shaped and fueled by my internal dialogue.

While the landscapes become outlets/or reflections of my personal relation with the world, the viewer often does not see this translation, at least not initially. The fact that they may read into it their own story makes me want to share such imagery more."

herding cats

I stumbled across a great anecdote on galleries, owning and operating one myself I found this to be quite insightful. And, being an artist myself, I hope everyone knows we give it our all. Just wished to share this with everyone...

"Once I fed the cats of friends on vacation, theirs and whoever else showed up. I tried to tell the others that I couldn’t take on any more with that one can of food, but oh, the anxiety! Before seeing the artadvice articles, I could only imagine two things about gallery operators: (1) They were like me, and the artists trying to get in were like the cats. So they developed special over used lines to try to not hurt our feelings when getting rid of us. (2) They were beings of mystery like ourselves; people who had an ability to sell art as we have abilities to make it. I’ve been in nonprofit places and sold nothing because they were not run by these special people." -Robert Wollard

No one likes turning down an artist, and this economy has made it all the harder. The market will turn around [hopefully we can hang in to see that]. And the right niche is out there so long as you keep creating.

Thanks for the good insight Robert.

Remembering Plains at CSU

Colorado State University has selected nine paintings from my "Remembering Plains" series for placement in their Behavioral Sciences Building.

Expanse

"We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations." -Anais Nin

Happy Thanksgiving

"....my individualism is really an illusion.
I am part of the great whole, and I can never escape.

But I can deny my connections,

break them, and become a fragment.

Then I am wretched.

What we want is to destroy our false, inorganic connections,

especially those related to money,

and re-establish the living organic connections,

with the cosmos

the sun

and the earth,

with mankind

and nation

and family.

Start with the sun,

and the rest will slowly, slowly happen."

[from The Apocalypse by D.H. Lawrence]

Strength

"This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.



Welcome and entertain all!


Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.


The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whomever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond."

--Rumi

Children's Hospital Burn Camps Program Fundraiser

My most recent donated painting for a great cause is "Plain Desire" which is up for auction at The Children's Hospital's 2nd Annual Burn Camps Program Fundraising Dinner Nov.11th at Maggiano’s Little Italy, 7401 South Clinton St. Englewood, CO

Cocktails and Silent Auction 5:30-7:00pm
Dinner and Program 7:00-9:00pm

http://noordinarycamps.org/?p=41

The Children’s Hospital Burn Programs was created in 1983 to meet the psychological and rehabilitation needs of the child and family following a burn injury. The Child who sustains a burn inury is impacted for the rest of his or her life. After a burn injury, a child can anticipate reconstructive surgeris and on-going physical and occupational therapy. During their growth and development the child will also need resources to meet the challenges of growing up in a world where external beauty is valued.

The Burn Camps Program has grown into a series of camp programs to meet these needs by providing challenging activities,opportunities to form lasting friendships, adult mentorship and goal setting opportunities.

Cheley/Children’s Hospital Burn Camp
The flagship week long summer camp adventure in Estes Park for children nationwide between the ages of 8-18

if you can't make it to the auction, then donate online http://noordinarycamps.org/?page_id=36