Have Enough BFFs? Become My FBF!

Have enough BFFs (Best Friends Forever)?  Well, you can become one of my FBFs (FaceBook Fans)!  Over at my FaceBook Fan page, I’m posting great art specials exclusively for my FBFs – study paintings, mini paintings, notecards and a few of my regular inventory paintings all at special prices.  But, you have to be my Fan on Facebook (click here to become one)!  Or, visit my website homepage to become a fan (click on the “Fan” button at the bottom).

I just posted this “study” original watercolor today on Facebook – check it out!

"Study - Winter Dark and White", original watercolor, about 18 x 18 inches.

New Artist Blog: Marcio Correa

Here’s a new blog that is worth checking out: Marcio Correa.  Marcio is already sharing some great artwork and descriptions of his painting adventures and successes.

Marcio is a fellow Colorado Watercolor Society Signature member, and I’ve gotten to know his work a bit this year.  I’m sure some of his paintings are evoking that sense of “place’ that fascinates me.  Here’s one from this year’s Colorado Watercolor Society State Exhibit that transports me to this place and time that Marcio has created in his painting.  Check him out!

Marcio Correa, Farmhouses on 76th Street, watercolor on paper (copyright the artist).

Recent Music Inspiration: Billy Pilgrim

I pulled an old favorite CD out in my studio this week: Billy Pilgrim.  I like how music can sometimes transport you to a place and time better than an image.  I first heard Billy Pilgram when they were the opening band for a Melissa Ethridge concert in Brussels, Belgium in the summer of 1994 (where I lived for two years working as a computer consultant).  So, I had lots of images of my time living in a foreign land going through my head as I listened and painted.

After the concert in 1994, I immediately bought their CD (“Billy Pilgram”) and it is still going strong all these years later.  The Billy Pilgrim Website describes their music as “folk rock duo”.  They are no longer together, but check out the lead singer’s distinctive voice on Andrew Hyra’s Website.

Promote Your Art Two Day Workshop in Estes Park: Alyson B. Stanfield (ArtBizCoach.com)

I highly recommend Alyson (of ArtBizBlog.com fame) for artists looking to make big strides on the business side of being an artist.  Here’s info on her workshop in Estes Park, CO on online promotion (and if you register this week, you’ll save $30):

Alyson's workshop location in Estes Park, Colorado

 Artists: Learn how to effectively promote your art online using email, blogs, and websites.

 

Alyson B. Stanfield of ArtBizCoach.com will lead a two-day workshop in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado–the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.

 

May 2-3, 2009

Just $165 until March 6

($195 after that)

 

You’ll learn: 

    * How to decide which online formats are best for you

    * Five email secrets that produce results

    * How to use an email newsletter to cultivate collectors

    * How to expand your mailing list

    * The Dos and Don’ts of artist Web sites

    * Where to splurge and where to save

    * Why you need a blog right now

    * How to start your blog

    * What to write on your blog

    * How to increase traffic to your blog (and website)

    * What to put in your website media room

    * Why you can’t afford to ignore social networking sites

 

Alyson is expecting a sellout crowd of 70 artists from around the country!  Save $30 by registering before March 6. See http://artbizcoach.com/estes

 

A Belated “Elsewhere”… Catskill Mountains, New York

This was an “elsewhere” entry sent to me after the deadline, but I’ll have to say it is one of my favorite views, so I just had to share it!

If you’re wondering what this series of posts is about, check out my original post with all of the details.

Ann Lee Fuller – New York

Visit Ann’s blog

Ann acknowleges that this view isn’t FROM her studio but OF her newly-completed studio in the Catskills of New York.  She writes that she waited 17 years for this studio and that it is a dream come true.  She also writes that this is “on top of a mountain where the light can be spectacular”.  Without this snapshot, I could only imagine, but this gives us a great idea of the inspirational view that Ann has!

Ann Lee Fuller's snowy studio in the Catskill Mountains

Last of the “Elsewhere” Views: Wyoming + Oregon + Alberta + Australia

Well, this is it… the last of the “elsewhere” views.  I’ve actually been dreading this post because I already feel depressed and alone.  And, on top of that, I would have arrived back home from my month-long Oregon coast trip today.

The good news is that I’ve met so many wonderful artists during this event and thank everyone for sharing your view with me and my readers.

If you’re wondering what this series of posts is about, check out my original post with all of the details.

Connie Hippen – Wyoming

Visit Connie’s blog

Thanks for this peaceful view from Wyoming, Connie!  Not only is this a great “elsewhere” view, it almost seems like “elseWHEN”, too!

Connie Hippen's view from Wyoming

Krissie – Australia

Visit Krissie’s blog

I’m not sure what kind of flowers these are, but Krissie has one bright view of them from her creative space in Australia.

 

Krissie's view in Australia

Bobbi Kirk – Oregon Coast

Visit Bobbi’s blog

Well, I’ll have to say here from a very brown Denver that this view of solid green is refreshing.

 

Bobbi's view from the central Oregon coast

Tracey Mardon – Edmonton, Alberta

Visit Tracey’s blog

Thanks for this snapshot of your view, Tracey!

 

Tracey's view in Edmonton, Alberta

 

A View From Elsewhere #6: Denver + Texas + Vermont + California

A few more posts for the remaining “elsewheres” that I’ve received.  Thank you to everyone that has sent me a snapshot…

If you’re wondering what this series of posts is about, check out my original post with all of the details.  I also hope you’re enjoying checking out all of these great artists!

 

Alex Grant (musician) – Denver

Visit Alex’s website

I LOVE ALEX GRANT!  Music (along with “elsewheres”) is a big inspiration for me, and Alex’s music has been a staple around my studio for a few years now.  I’d have to say that “Old Father Road” is my favorite CD.  Alex writes that this snapshot view from his home creative space isn’t necessarily inspirational for him, but he promises I’ll love the album photography from a recent trip to Maine for his next album “Red Skies at Night”, due out in 2009.

Alex's snapshot from just south of Denver

Elizabeth Bunsen – Vermont

Visit Elizabeth’s blog

What a great snapshot from Elizabeth’s studio in Vermont.  If there is a picture of snow and peaceful-ness, this is it.  I also love the contrast of the cool snow and warm light – thanks for sharing, Elizabeth!

Elizabeth's snowy view from Vermont

Bairbre Aine – Southern California

Visit Bairbre’s blog

This is a true snapshot out Bairbre’s window – I love that it is just a glimpse of what she sees while having her morning tea. Bairbre writes that while it may not be a million dollar view, it IS a priceless one!

View through Bairbre's kitchen window

 

Ralonda – Rural Texas

Visit Ralonda’s blog

Peaceful and green.  Ralonda writes that she lives and creates in a very rural area of Texas and that it is a great place to get quiet and meditate on peace.  We should all do that!

 

Peaceful and green rural Texas view

A View From Elsewhere #5: Upstate New York + North Idaho + Bailey, CO + New York City

Thank you to everyone that has sent me a snapshot… I have many more to post, so keep coming back for these great snapshots of “elsewhere” from artists!

If you’d like to send me your own snapshot of elsewhere, visit my original post with all of the details.

 

Tracy Helgeson – Upstate New York

Visit Tracy’s blog

Like this snowy view from her studio, Tracy’s paintings are great views of elsewhere to me.  Her view is so calm and still.  Tracy writes that this view shows “the apple tree in the backyard with birds busy at the feeder… the tiny splash of yellow in the trees is our beehive”. 

Tracy's backyard view in upstate New York.

 

Diana Botkin – North Idaho

Visit Diana’s blog

Here’s the view out Diana’s door several weeks ago when she had tons of snow.  Diana writes that she is thankful her husband takes care of plowing and shoveling the snow, “if it was just me up here at the edge of the earth, I wouldn’tbe able to deal with it”.  

Diana's North Idaho snow.

Kathy Beekman – Bailey, Colorado

Visit Kathy’s website

I’ve visited Kathy’s studio in the foothills southwest of Denver several times – she has a great creative space!  Looks like the snow is piling up in this view!  Be sure to visit her website to see her pastel paintings! 

Snow piles up at Kathy's studio in Colorado.

Jill Zaheer – New York, New York

Visit Jill’s blog

Wow!  Gotta love this view from Jill’s space.  Jill writes that she is “blessed to be able to see the most gorgeous sun rises and sunsets everyday from a corner apartment on the 26th floor… with views of the palisades in New Jersey, Long Island and New York City.

Jill's corner view in New York City.

A View From Elsewhere #4: Denver + Canberra, Australia + Bordeaux, France

Thank you to everyone that has sent me a snapshot… I have many more to post, so keep coming back for these great snapshots of “elsewhere” from artists!

If you’d like to send me your own snapshot of elsewhere, visit my original post with all of the details.

 

Sylviane Le Cann – Bordeaux Region, France

Visit Sylviane’s blog

How cool.  I mean really – we all get a glimpse of Sylviane’s view from the Bordeaux region of France! 

View from Sylviane's "salon".

Judith Cassel-Mamet – Denver, Colorado

While Judith might not get the prize for “most lame view” as she feared, she most certainly gets notice for most hilarious accompanying comment: “Is this [blog event] really a secret surprise make-over opportunity!?”.  Maybe someone out there from HGTV is reading this right now and will get right on making that project happen!

Judith goes on to say that, “My studio is in our basement, just across from the washing machine and dryer… which make great drying surfaces.  I often have papers, canvases and weird things drying there much to the dismay of my family.”

Judith is a great friend and professor and instructor at both University of Denver and the Art Students League of Denver. 

Judith's basement studio and window view.

Lisa Call – Denver, Colorado

Visit Lisa’s blog

Lisa recently moved to Denver (from an “outlying” ‘burb) and writes that “I’m currently building a new studio and we’re just a few weeks away from completion so the windows are covered in dust so there isn’t much view. So I waited for something interesting to see before taking a photo – I’m excited I’ll be able to watch the sunset out my southern window!”

Lisa's sunset view.

Leonie Allan – Canberra, Australia

Visit Leonie’s website

And, just a glimpse of Canberra, Australia from Leonie’s creative space!

Leonie's view of Canberra, Australia

A View From Elsewhere #3: New York City + St. Charles, MO + Grandby, CO

I love “elsewhere”!  Thank you to everyone that has sent me a snapshot… I have many more to post, so keep coming back for these great snapshots of “elsewhere” from artists!

If you’d like to send me your own snapshot of elsewhere, visit my original post with all of the details.

 

Seth Apter – New York, New York

Visit Seth’s blog – The Altered Page

I’ve been following Seth’s artwork and blog events for awhile now and was really excited that he sent me this snapshot from his New York studio.  In a strange way, this made me glad that my own studio view is the blue backside of a Napa Auto parts store… with the view Seth has, I’d never get any painting done!  On the other hand, this is the kind of view that I long for – an “elsewhere” to get lost in.  Seth writes that ” I get so much creative energy from New York City and having this view from my window is always inspiring”.   

Seth's studio view where he feels he is "part of the skyline".

Janet Fons – Saint Charles, Missouri

Visit Janet’s website

I’ve known Janet for several years and love her pastel paintings (which are views of “elsewhere” themselves!).  Janet moved from Denver to Missouri in 2007 and immediately applied for a studio space in the Foundry Art Centre just outside of St. Louis.  Last year she was awarded a studio space and this is her view… I love that her snapshot looks just like a glimpse of what she sees when glancing up from her painting. 

Janet's winter view from her window at the Foundry Art Centre in Saint Charles, MO.

Stacey Peterson – Grandby, Colorado

Visit Stacey’s blog

Like me, Stacey is a former “corporate career” type now working as a full-time artist.  Stacey and her family recently moved to Grandby and I knew she’d have a great view from her studio – I love the snow and the promise of a hidden “elsewhere” if you were to follow that pathway you see on the hillside… Stacey writes that “In early morning and late afternoon, the sun rakes across the landscape creating a beautiful contrast between the warm, sunlit hills, and the cool shadows”.

Stacey's view of the wide open spaces in Granby, circled by hills and mountains.

A View From Elsewhere #2: Idaho + Boston + New Brunswick

I’m getting some great snapshots of “elsewhere” from all over the place!  Thanks to everyone who has sent me one – I love getting these glimpses and have received quite a few emails from readers saying the same!

I’ll keep taking additional snapshots through the end of January – visit my original invitation post here.  [All photos are by the respective artists]

 

Jeff Hayes – Boston, Massachusetts

Visit Jeff’s blog

This was an intriguing snapshot… I like the neat row of paint tubes and shadow of a branch through the blind.  Leaves more than something to my imagination and was something I thought about while just sitting in my own studio this morning (waiting for paint to dry).  If you think that row of paints looks neat, check out Jeff’s recent blog post with a snapshot of his tidy palette!

View from Jeff's Studio, "New Year's Sun"

 Dennis Brady – Sandpoint, Idaho

Visit Dennis’s blog

 More snow!  I actually went to high school in Sandpoint and really, really miss the beautiful winters of North Idaho (Denver is so brown these days).  Dennis must live out of town a bit to get this awesome view of snow, trees and mountains.  Dennis writes that he does his design, printing and framing from this room in his home.

View from Dennis’s studio window.

 Shayla Perreault Newcomb – New Brunswick, Canada

Visit Shayla’s blog

And more snow!  I love the contrast of this view from Shayla’s studio to the vivid colors of her art… and those shadows look so peaceful.  Shayla writes that the side view of her studio looks out over a parking lot for the theatre across the street and that it can make for some interesting people watching… but the morning she took her snapshot, it was frosted up. Her back view looks out over a garden planted at the turn of the century. It has an old apple tree, lilac and gorgeous things that show up come spring. 

View from Shayla's studio.

Kathy Beekman Opening (Friday) & Demo (Saturday)!

A good friend of mine, pastel artist Kathy Beekman, opens a new show “Chasing the Light” tomorrow at Gallery 821 in Denver.

Kathy is one of those artists who creates paintings that I could step right in to.  For me it has to do with my fascination of “place” – Kathy’s paintings really do evoke a sense of yearning to just be there in that place and time (and her painting below is a great example!).

It promises to be a great show… and, there’s a bonus!  Kathy will be demonstrating her pastel painting at Gallery 821 this Saturday, February 16, from 12pm – 3pm.  Not only is she a treat to watch as she creates, but she’s a fun person to chat with a bit about her art and process.  Be sure to check it out – details below!

 
Kathy Beekman, North to Montana, pastel.

Kathy Beekman: Chasing the Light
Pastel Paintings
February 14 – March 1, 2008

Opening Reception: Friday, February 15  |  5pm – 7pm

Artist Demonstration: Saturday, February 16  |  12pm – 3pm

Gallery 821
821 Santa Fe Drive
Denver, Colorado

Visit Kathy’s website to view more of her wonderful paintings:  www.KathyBeekman.com