Many Shows

Well when it rains it pours and I guess this saying applies to art shows as there will be more events than I can attend this weekend.

If you are in California and close to Costa Mesa, the Randy Higbee 6 Squared show will be this weekend - I will have two paintings in this show.

St Francis Church
6x6

The Wilder Nightingale "Hearts and Stars" benefit will be this weekend in Taos, New Mexico - consisting of many miniatures - I will have one small painting in this show- Wilder Nightingale puts on a wonderful party and I am sad that I will not be there for it.

Then I will be participating in the Holiday Art Festival in Monte Vista and since I helped organize the event, I feel as if I should stay around to make sure it runs smoothly- hopefully we will have a big crowd. This will not be a miniature show so I will have some large paintings in this event.

Drop by one of these events and enjoy the food and company - there will be great art at all three locations.

6 inch Squared Show

The Randy Higbee Gallery is sponsoring a 6 Inch Squared Show and these two paintings were juried into the show.  The Top one is entitled Mountain Sunrise and the the bottom one is entitled Morning Light.

The Randy Higbee Gallery is in Costa Mesa, California and the show will run from December 3- December 23.

I am trying to get paintings ready for a few miniature shows that will be going on in December.  The Hearts and Stars show will be at my gallery, Wilder Nightingale in Taos, NM on December 3, and the Monte Vista Art Festival will also be December 3 in downtown Monte Vista- I will try to do a little of both but it might prove to be difficult.

Also, David Montgomery, Coni Grant and I will be having a show at the Salida Steamplant in downtown Salida, - reception will be on December 16.

I also will have a painting in the CAC Holiday show in Estes Park, Colorado- it will be November 26 through December 31.

There are a lot of shows going on right now- many of them miniature shows which makes art quite affordable- the perfect time for someone that wants to start collecting art.  The prices are lower because of the small size - a great way to get one's feet wet.

A Busy fall

Red Chevy
6x8
POSTED ON DAILY PAINTWORKS

I painted yesterday in Taos with Peg Immel and part of the Thursday painter outdoor group- the other half went to Truchas to paint.  The group was painting at the Martinez Hacienda and the colors were wonderful so we set up and painted looking towards the east?  I think...  Well here is the painting...

I took Peg her paintings from the Estes Park show and picked paintings up from the Millicent Rogers Museum gallery PAPNM show- I sold my "Standing Alone" painting from Millicent -woohoo!

OF course for luch- where we we go?- none other than the Guadalajara Grill- what a treat.

I was privileged to meet some of the ladies of the painting group- Sarah and another Peggy- was disappointed that Kemper and Ken went to Truchas. Peg and I visited a few Taos Galleries- Total Arts (of course) we can't pass up on it... and a new gallery called Copper Moon?? ( I think that is the name )

a nice little gallery and of course Wilder Nightingale where Peg and I both have our paintings on display. We visited with Rob Nightingale for awhile and then I took off for the 2 hour trip home with David's and my paintings and two poinsettias for Coni from Peg, two gorgeous scarves from Peg as gifts for Coni and I from Peg's trip to France, and my painting gear with a few assorted boxes. A car full. I always have fun going to Taos- it is a treat and the drive is an easy one- there is never that much traffic to deal with. 

Busy Summer

Coni Grant, David Montgomery and Susan McCullough

Well, we survived our Creede show and I believe that it was very successful- we had a good steady crowd and I had a lot of fun.  I was able to visit with a few friends that I haven't seen in quite a while- especially my friend Jamie who I don't get to see enough of. I met a few new people and the Creede weather was beautiful - I was surprised as the weather in the San Luis Valley has not been up to par lately with high winds and when the winds aren't blowing, smoke from the Wallow fire in Arizona keeps in rather hazy in the valley.

The next day Coni and I took a trip to Taos to support our gallery in Taos, Wilder Nightingale, for the Kit Carson first Saturday artwalk.  There was a large gathering of visitors in every gallery on Kit Carson which was refreshing to see. 

I have been making some changes to my studio- basically knocking down some humongous trees- it has taken a lot out of me for the clean up process- many wheelbarrows-  and I will post some pictures of the new studio look soon.  Honestly, it looks nice without all of the dead trees around it but it also looks rather bare- I guess I will have to plant some more trees, lilac bushes and flowers to fill it up- they will have to be plants that don't take too much care....

Hearts and Stars Benefit 2010 at Wilder Nightingale

It was a great party at Wilder Nightingale Friday Night - the annual Hearts and Stars Benefit to end Homelessness in Taos.  Here is a picture of (from left) David Montgomery, me, Peg Immel, and Coni Grant. The show will run until December 1 so there is still an opportunity to buy and support the shelter. A little information about the shelter..........


To benefit the TAOS COALITION TO END HOMELESSNESS, LLC
Opening Reception Friday, November 26 from 6-8pm
Since re-opening our new Shelter on April 21, 2010, we have served over 350 men, providing over 1200 bed nights. In addition to a clean bed and the opportunity to shower and do laundry, we serve home cooked dinners which are brought to the Shelter every evening by various members of the community. Our staff gets to know each of the men, who stay with us for more than a night or two, and staff can provide counsel, and will put the men in contact with any agency that may be of assistance. The important thing in these communications, aside from the possible results, is the mutual respect and caring that becomes part of the Shelter’s environment. Under our current operating budget, it is costing us a little over $25 per night to provide these services for each man. 

Coni is talking to Rion Gabriel winding up the end of the evening.

A picture of Kemper Coley, Peg Immel and Steve Immel.

David Montgomery and his wife Cynthia Cutts.

A picture of me and Kemper.

The show always has great food- and Rob works extremely hard writing up sales and trying to keep the momentum going.  Sales were brisk and I have sold one small painting- hopefully I will sell the other.  

A trip to Taos

Coni and I decided to deliver our miniature paintings to Wilder Nightingale for the Hearts and Stars show and drove over on a beautiful but chilly day. We met up with Patrice at the gallery
and considering the fact that everyone had brought their painting gear, decided to paint for the day. We were supposed to meet Kemper at the gallery at around 11:00 and I was planning on waiting for him but Rob decided to call Kemper to see if he was coming- good thing since he was at the top of the chairlift ready to ski down the slope. He said he would meet us in about 45 minutes so we went to Cafe Loca to eat-- great place- thanks Rob! We kind of settled in and I was thinking how maybe we really didn't have to paint after all- it was sooo comfortable in Cafe Loca.

But then Kemper called and of course I said let's paint! We ended up painting a small church off of Kit Carson - right down from Wilder Nightingale- cool church with the mountains as a backdrop.

Here Coni and Patrice are discussing Coni's painting--

Kemper is concentrating- very seriously working- we were a rather quiet bunch during painting time- I was because I haven't been out in awhile and didn't feel exactly in sync.

The final result- by the time I finished the sun was out in full force and shining on my canvas, The support was underpainted in orange which gave it a warm feeling- and it was a pretty nice day- just wore my Carhartt vest so it was a great way to get started with a new season. We will be attending the show on Saturday- should be fun!

New Mexico Plein Air Painters Show

It was a very crowded atmosphere at the Wilder Nightingale gallery in Taos New Mexico for the New Mexico Plein Air Panters (NMPAP) show August 1. The Show was from 5 to 8 but people weren't ready to leave yet as this pic was taken around 8:30- just too much fun!

Here is a picture of Rob Wilder Nightingale- (white shirt) talking to patrons while Kemper Coley is in the foreground.

Kemper looks like he's having a good time.

Coni Grant and Allen Heuer looking a little surprised as I whipped the camara out on them!

All in all it was a fun show - any time I go to Wilder Nightingale for a show I know there is going to be a large crowd of patrons and artists and Coni and I get to catch up with friends on the newest scoop. We didn't sign up in time to actually participate in the paintout but there is always next year and my mouse will be warmed up and ready to strike as the next year paintout may fill up as quickly as this one.