Estes' Surprise

A Small Grove of Trees

Sunday, Dan & I headed back to Estes Park to pick up our work from The Art Center as the Lines Into Shapes Show was closing at 1 PM. As we checked off our items for pick up, I told them I had a couple of miniatures to retrieve too. She unlocked the case and to my delight and surprise, my piece pictured above had sold. It's great to see that dot on the display card indicating a piece has sold during the exhibition. I don't know who purchased it and I would love to thank them. I hope they will enjoy it for years to come.

On the way back, glass artist Robin Grabowski of Glass Pony Designs had invited us to stop, visit with her, have some tea, and see her studio. What fun! Robin and I met through this land of blogs and met in person last month at The Boulder Arts and Crafts Gallery. I have been a fan of her work for quite some time now and it was such fun to meet her. She has a gorgeous and very sweet Irish Setter too, along with her horses and cats.

Dan & I enjoyed a peach bundt cake she had made that morning...it was still warm, yum. And I had my first taste of African tea that was very full bodied. She lives in a great location; very inspirational. Her home is so comfortable and filled with some of her works too. I love to see other artist's studio spaces. Hers works so well and we got to see one of her latest commissions...it was gorgeous. Thank you Robin!

I'd encourage you to visit her blog and check out her website too. If you ever get to Boulder, Colorado, stop at the Boulder Arts & Crafts Gallery to see her work and that of the other talented artists....you may even meet Robin and that would be great fun.

Here's wishing all of you a wonderful week of creativity! Aspire to be more as an artist and person.

Beautiful Estes Park Colorado

Doesn't this scene just take your breath away? The peace and serenity of locations like this in Rocky Mountain National Park are well worth the hike to get to them. Although my legs and ankles would beg to differ with that comment.

Dan & I took a small vacation this past week and enjoyed the beauty of Estes Park in the Fall. The pictures I'm sharing here are Dan's. The weather was not terribly cooperative for most of the time spent there, however, there were some gorgeous moments that Dan captured and I wanted to share.



This feisty little Steller Jay joined us for lunch at the lake. I didn't realize that the crinkling noise made by Clif Bar wrappers or plastic bags would lure the wildlife in like it did this guy. He was very animated and extremely wishful for a bite of our food. I'm fairly certain that other visitors had shared with him in the past based on his reaction to the noise from our food wrappers. He made a wonderful subject for a photo shoot and Dan was able to get so many pictures of him I can definitely see doing a stained glass window of him.

Mr. Big

This is the largest elk that Dan & I have ever seen. For those of you who have not experienced our national parks, it's fairly common to see people pull over to view the wild life. We always look to see what the spectacle might be and this time it was HIM! Neither Dan or I had ever seen an elk this large. I counted 9 points on one side of his antlers. I believe a Royal Elk has 7 points a side....this guy was beyond Royal! Of course, he bugled and we have no idea why he wasn't surrounded by girls. He was magnificent and since he was closer to where we had just finished our hike, he was less comfortable with people than the other elk in the meadows down by the park entrance. He didn't hang around long, but at least Dan was able to get a number of photos of him.

We're back home and the bassets are happy to have our company again. There's something about being out in nature that recharges my batteries.

Here's wishing all of you a great week of creativity!

Opening Receptions

It's been an extended weekend of opening receptions for Dan and I. On Friday night we were in Estes Park for the opening reception of the Lines Into Shapes show. It was a great opportunity to view all of the art work that has been accepted into that show and we would encourage any of you who are in the area to visit this exhibit. It runs through October 4th.

Here is a link to the winners in each of the categories, including Best of Show and People's Choice. Clearly there are a lot of talented artists in this show and we are happy to be a part of it. Attendance was great for the opening too. No, Dan & I didn't win in any of our respective categories....but you know, it truly is great that both of us had work accepted into this show. We feel we are among great company with the artists that were selected to participate.

Last night we went to Denver to attend the opening of Riva Sweetrocket's Heaven & Earth Exhibit at the Buell Theater. I think Riva is the nicest person you could ever meet and it's is wonderful to have her as a friend. In addition to being a wonderful person, she is a great talent. Her medium is pastels and her works just take your breath away.

A Pleasant Surprise!

Puzzle

This morning I received a phone call from The Art Center of Estes Park. Apparently there had been a small glitch in their system and they wanted to let me know that another of my pieces had been accepted in their "Lines Into Shapes" show. My jewelry submission, Puzzle, pictured above was also accepted. You can imagine my delight!

You may remember Puzzle from a spring show that I did; it actually took first place in that show in the glass category. It has companion earrings that I will enter in their miniatures collection. The Art Center of Estes Park lets artists include miniature works, once one of their pieces has been accepted. Tonight I'm off to work on a small version of a bowl or plate to compliment my other piece, A Grove of Trees. Pictures to follow in another post.

Happy creating all!