Telluride Plein Air ~ Quick Draw & ArtWalk

Well, I have been missing. Apologies ... I'm committing to post at least twice weekly 'til current. So here goes ... back to the Telluride Road Trip and a week's drinking in the Plein Air Event there (Note this was July 2, 2013!)!
THIS was one of my favorite days of our trip! After a quiet morn, Roland and I plan to head into town to meet Hether and hubby to watch the big "Quick Draw" Event. This is where artists have their surface (be it watercolor paper, sandpapered surface or canvas) stamped with a particular recognizable mark and then, they have a specific allotted time to go out on site using that specific substrate, paint the painting, and come back with the piece all framed, ready for sale. This event was given ninety (yes, 90) minutes.

The "Quick Draw" artists were scattered everywhere through out town. Some in the middle turning lane of the main road, some in front of the courthouse, some in alleys and others off on-site. I observed they all worked simple and small. The woman I depicted here in my journal was my favorite. And what I noticed was that her canvas was cradled right inside the back of the black frame she would be using. All she had to do was flip the painting and set it in place for the presentation! As the end of the 90 minute time period came to an end artists began gathering, placing their finished pieces on easels for the jurying and award ceremony. Some of the pieces were just amazing - - most were of the impressionist style, and some even sold right there on the spot. But whew ~
what a workout for the artists!!

An aside on participating in plein air events: from one of the well versed plein air painters in Telluride. The perspective that the event in Tellluride was NOT planned with artists on the decision making committee was evident. And not a good thing. Seems that as a participating artist in the event you would spend a lot of your "off" time (when you are not out painting on site) finishing up paintings, framing and just plain recovering from the outdoor exposure. But what the Telluride

event planners were doing was adding more and more evening fundraiser events that artists had to attend - taking away that valuable "down" time artists needed. Good to know for us considering doing a plein air event!!

Evening time continued with the art theme - with Telluride's monthly Artwalk. One show I particularly wanted to see was at the Telluride Gallery of Fine Art. They were showing pieces from Burnie Fuchs, a famous illustrator ~ and I wasn't disappointed. FASCINATING mixed media - - even his pencil sketches had such vitality. So inspiring! We wandered the full street hitting the Oh-be-joyful Gallery (who's owner does huge plein air gorgeous pieces) and another watercolor artist, David Brankley, who does terrific work, were stand-out for me. So you see, I had to save those images and contacts here.

The final image on this open page journal spread is of course, dinner. We meandered the street, mainly looking for light food without a mile long line (I'm so spoiled from our rural restaurants here in Southern Oregon - well, maybe not Ashland). And we needed a place where we could keep Cody nearby. The Telluride Bistro furnished all of that. A yummy salad, quick friendly service and an open wrought-iron fence where Cody could get scratches from us (and maybe some treats too). An end to a full and fulfilling day!

Colorado Reunion ~ Plein Air and The Picinic

I'm up on day six, v-e-e-r-r-r-y excited because ... I see clear blue sky. After my usual mornin' rituals, I pack together my plein air painting materials. These jam packed days seem to present so many options that I find myself having to really settle in my heart, what I really want to do. This was one of those days. My friend had pulled together a visit way up on one of the out-of-town mesas to a ole' friend's home/recording studio. But . . .  today was sunny and gorgeous - - and I haven't had the opportunity to go paint at all. So you know what this artist chose to do, right?

I zipped up to my friend's house, letting her know what I'd decided to do for the early part of the day, and then, hiked up to the side of the mountain to paint. I had the precise spot I'd wanted to paint (here it is) and I got my chair situated, paints all set up and accessed my physicality. Oh HECK! I had to pee. Looking around, I was lucky enough to notice a nearby home that was under construction. I check with the foreman and he directs me to the inside bathroom (thanks Universe)! Ok, now I can get to painting. I decided to eliminate the wagon (since I had about an hour - and architectural things take me awhile). I was in heaven, the sun, the breeze, the sweet mountain air. Once the sun was pounding down on me, I knew it was time to finish up. I'm pretty happy with the image - and I also sketched up the full scene on this journal page.

I bustled back to my room to get tidied up for the grand art show at the "Telluride Gallery of Fine Art". Some of you may know, that showing in this gallery has been a life long dream of mine. When I lived in Telluride (and when I'd moved away), I dreamed, I envisioned, I yearned, I ached to see my work on these walls. So to take part in this show, although it's only for the weekend, I'm so thrilled. When I get to the gallery, it is wall-to-wall people. I squeeze in to greet people and am confounded and exhilarated with the faces. To remember my pieces, their positioning, etc. I have done a faded back sketch on this journal page. And I've captured several key people at the "Artist's Table" at the Sheridan Restaurant later that evening. You know who you are! What a day to live on in my memory ... thanks again Universe.
Oh but the next day, September 29, was another BIG day. After a lovely mornin' hike up Bear Creek I did my shopping for the giant Reunion Picnic in the Town Park. Oh MY - I nearly died at the cost of chips & dip in the local market. I never did find any gold in the bag either - oh well. It was a glowing autumn day, sunny with intermittent cumulus beauties dancing by. The picnic was enormous - over 400 people - and I tried to recognize those I could. I actually felt a bit overwhelmed (never did do big crowds well) and nestled close to my friends. They had us all wiggle together for a group shot and it was humorous trying later, to identify faces. But the special feeling of how we all were (the ole shots from the 70's really showed the hovel-like buildings we lived in, plenty of vacant lots and the dirt streets and the makeshift ski resort), what kind of dreams and community we all had and how those who'd stayed in Telluride, actually got to see it come into fruition. It was pretty amazing!

This scene, the back drop of the picnic, embraces several of the special people at the reunion that continue to touch my heart ... even after all these years. Can you sense the range and depth of emotions hooked to this magical place? I hope you have a place like this some where in your life ... it changes who you are ...

Colorado Reunion ~ Nesting In and Catching Up

Yipppppppppppppie ~ my first FULL day in beautiful Telluride. Up early to kinda bounce around my new digs (didn't know there was a breakfast served downstairs - silly me, it is a Bed & Breakfast). So now I have a closet of food and there's more for me in the kitchen! I make a combo of my favorite cereal and their fresh fruits 'n berries. Delicious munches as I eat my "breakie" out on my lil sunny deck (had to paint the view from my deck for you!!), drinking in the yellow of the nearby aspens and vicariously romping like the dogs running along the river trail below. My aim is to get out soon and hike up Bear Creek Valley.

I do get off on my hike ... choose this yellow lil' pearl from my quaking aspens to install in my journal. The hike is invigorating with the sweetest smelling air! I feel so alive and energized that I tend to ignore the rain sprinkles. Once back from my hike I hustle to meet a friend to whom I've shipped my paintings that will go in the Tellluride Gallery of Fine Art Show. We lunch at the "Brown Dog" and I trundle back to the room with my big box. My evening involves unpacking the paintings methodically, photoing the positioning so that I can re-pack them to ship back home safely. N-o-o-o-o-w you know how detailed I can be!!

Next day I have learned that to miss the rain showers during my hike, I need to get going earlier. So I'm up, and off. After the same enlivening hike I bip over to my friend Hether's home to visit. A peer artist whom I've not seen in probably near forty years is there and we catch up. Hether is returning the glass bowl to Anna after it had traveled for fourteen years, finally to be here in Telluride when Anna, who now lives in Oregon, is here too! Then, Hether's son (now remember I used to live with Hether and her son was an ornery young pre-teen then) drops by ~ and ~ oh my!! Not only is he a grown man but he's a head taller than me and has broad strong shoulders (and some grey hair too!) I just had to capture his playful spirit and his kind heart clearly visible here as he holds one of his two Chihuahuas ~ such a size contrast!

My evening meal was a joyous reunion. One of my most dear friends in Tellluride had kind of disappeared from my world. Not responding to birthday cards 'n letters, I'd given up on her. Then, just before I came to this Reunion ... I get a birthday card from her! Who believes in serendipity? So my meal was a sweet reconnecting with my friend Linda. The Mexican restaurant is noisy and hurried, but the connection was warm and we agreed to a more private meal at her home later. Such a full, rewarding day . . . I'm lovin' my reunion with my beloved Telluride. I even fantasize . . . is there some way I can live here again? Hey, we can all dream, right?

The Western memorabilia - well, I just had to gather some part of the wild atmosphere - are collected from some of my travelings through Telluride - had to have the "Cowgirl" card. Most of you know I'm a closet cowgirl, right? Well, you know now :)