Denver Art Museum

Five hourse was not enough time at the Denver Art Museum. I was transfixed by the breathtaking Western landscapes and portraits. The new (and controversial) Hamilton building is worth experiencing, but you might want to take motion sickness pills before going. No kidding! The odd angles of the walls in every room (even the restrooms) coupled with the high altitude of the city is a recipe for toppling anyone's equilibrium!

The landscape you see here is by Albert Bierstadt. Please take a moment to click his name and browse through this prolific artist's body of work! A friend once told me about a long trek he made across the country just to see one of this artist's paintings. I understand why.

The portrait is by John Nieto. I have followed this artist since I first saw one of his paintings in Southwest Art Magazine. Then, my respect and admiration for his work grew when I saw his work in Santa Fe at the Ventana Fine Art Gallery. Now again, at the Denver Art Museum, Nieto's work stands out. Bold. Color rich. I like it!

Old Mesilla, New Mexico

To the south of Las Cruces, NM, sits the historic town of Mesilla. A beautiful old church claims the center of town, along with a shaded plaza, and the narrow streets are filled with boutiques, restaurants, and people taking their time strolling along.

It was a delight to find Preston Contemporary Art Center and to discover Susan Puelz and her wonderful landscape paintings done in watercolor and pastel.

We had dinner at La Posta, it's hard to avoid good Mexican food in the Southwest. Of the four of us at dinner, three of us had great meals, one of us was up sick all night. My dinner was great, but if you come, you might want steer clear of the shredded beef!

Western Landscape Art in Tucson, AZ

Maynard Dixon

Ascending Cloud

A trip to the Tucson Art Museum allowed me to see inspiring Western Landscape Art by Maynard Dixon, Thomas Moran, Nicolai Fechin, Albert Bierstadt, Clyde Aspevig, Howard Terpning, among others.

I think I am absorbing sights and sounds and smells and seeing and observing without painting so that all of these experiences can marinate. Maybe I will discover something wonderful when I begin painting again. For now, I am practicing some grace toward myself for not working. Grace is tough.

Sunset

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Imago in Palm Desert

Not just a Dale Chihuly exhibit of glass, but other artwork by Motherwell, Ramos, Wegman and others at Imago in Palm Desert. It was a joy to walk through the generous spaces of this contemporary gallery, and a joy to find it open for business in a town where nearly half of the art galleries are closed.

Filling my art tank. Life is good.

Unexpected Beauty

What you see in the photo are two of my paintings, juried in to the "Unexpected Beauty" show at the Broderick Gallery, downtown Portland. Sales from the show will benefit Street Yoga, a non-profit group devoted to helping homeless and at-risk youth.

What you don't see in the photo is the happy dance I did when I discovered that both of the paintings I had entered into the show were accepted.

I hope you'll have a chance to see the show!

Wolf Kahn at the Stremmel in Reno

I have been filling my eyes and mind and soul with art, but not making much art lately. A trip in to Reno, Nevada, to the Stremmel Gallery and I saw these Wolf Kahn paintings! Wow.

Down to Carson City

Looking Toward Carson City, 6 x 8, watercolor
plein air