Success In Stone

Snow Sculpture in China

2011-12-29T10:21:00.002-07:00

This isn't new, but I happened across a great post about the Harbin Snow and Ice Festival--filled with lots of photos.

There are snow sculptures such as the beautiful woman playing a flute (?) as well as sculptures carved from ice--including a full-sized ship you can walk upon!

The temperature in Harbin reaches forty below zero, both Fahrenheit and Celsius, and stays below freezing nearly half the year. This Chinese city is actually further north than notoriously cold Vladivostok, Russia, just 300 miles away. So what does one do here every winter? Hold an outdoor festival, of course! Rather than suffer the cold, the residents of Harbin celebrate it, with an annual festival of snow and ice sculptures and competitions. The festival officially runs from January 5 through February 15, but often opens a week early and runs into March, since it’s usually still cold enough. This is the amazing sculpture made of snow greeting visitors to the snow festival in 2003. ~R Todd King

Check out complete R Todd King's information: http://www.rtoddking.com/chinawin2003_hb_if.htm

Medieval English Alabaster Sculpture from the Victoria and Albert Museum

2011-05-03T07:52:00.006-06:00

I remember visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum as a young teen and being so impressed with their collection. It was probably my favorite museum for quite a number of years.

Well, Americans do not need to venture to London to see some of the collection--in fact, an exhibition of alabaster devotional sculptures is currently on display at Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, Maine through
June 26.

Alabaster production during the Middle Ages centered on the making and selling of finely decorated, gilded and colored sculpture to churches, nobles, and owners of private chapels. More common examples, however, were intended to brighten the homes and spiritual lives of people of modest means and are now treasured as the folk art of the ordinary medieval English man and woman. Due to this range in intended audience, this assemblage of English alabasters offers an unrivalled glimpse into the spiritual lives, hopes, fears and religious aspirations of both aristocratic and non-aristocratic society during the Middle Ages.

Whether you are interested in devotionals, stone carving or sculpture in general, this would be a good stop if you are in the northeastern part of the US this spring-early summer.

This exhibition is organized and circulated by Art Services International, Alexandria, Virginia. This exhibition is supported by a grant from The Samuel H. Kress Foundation.

Additional information on this display may be found here.

Colorado Governor's Art Show Returns

2011-04-18T08:30:00.003-06:00

The Loveland Museum/Gallery is the home once again to the Colorado Governor's Art Show. This is a juried art show that displays works by the top artists in Colorado. It is a wonderful way to see works by your favorite artists and also see high quality art by artists you aren't familiar with.

The 2011 Governor's invitational Art Show and Sale begins this Saturday, April 23. There will be a free demo by painter Sallie K. Smith from 2-4pm on Saturday.

There are almost 250 pieces ready for display including works from 58 different artists. Each artist may display up to 4 pieces. 9 artists are from Loveland. This year there are 15 sculptures including stone and bronze. Pieces range in subject from realistic to abstract.

Pieces are for sale during the exhibition. Any works sold will remain on display for the entire show.

The Governor's Art Show is a fundraiser for the Loveland and Thompson Valley rotary clubs, benefiting the clubs' community service projects and scholarship programs.

The opening night gala is Saturday. Tickets for the gala are $55.

3 works will be raffled off on the last day of the show.

The show will be on display April 24-June 5 in the Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave, Loveland Colorado. For more information visit www.governorsartshow.org

Loveland Stone Sculptor Voted Peoples Choice Award

2011-03-03T09:28:00.005-07:00

Congratulations to Loveland stone sculptor Ellen Woodbury for winning the Arts Advocacy Project's first-ever People's Choice award for her owl "See Through Other Eyes: Spotted Owl."

The white marble piece is displayed as part of the art-on-loan program which currently consists of five sculptures of a variety of media from different artists. The pieces all adorn downtown Loveland's 4th Street.

The wonderful owl, carved from Colorado Yule Marble, is on display until May of this year. At that time the sculptures will be rotated out, with a bevy of new works decorating the town.

The Loveland Visual Arts Commission sponsors the Arts Advocacy Project and the People's Choice Awards. Sculptors interesting in applying to have their works displayed in the Sculpture Capital of America can apply at CaFÉ™ . CaFÉ™ (Call for entry) is a resource from the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) and is an online source for artists in of all media to submit works for shows in the Western United States

New Sculpture by Loveland Sculptor Ellen Woodbury

2011-02-25T07:52:00.005-07:00

Loveland sculptor Ellen Woodbury has created a new masterful piece, Master of Disguise.

You can meet Ellen and see her work at the Sculpture in the Park event every summer here in Loveland. A talented artist in many media, Ellen is a former animator with Disney. She has applied the powers of observation and detail required to create film characters successfully to stone creating a myriad of wonderful creatures.

This latest piece work is a depiction of a Cuttlefish, created as a commission. It is a lovely work in Rosso Verona Marble. By changing the degree of polish in various parts of the work she is able to achieve a wonderful contrast and variation in hue that emulate the Cuttlefish's chameleon like abilities.

Ellen turned to stone just a few years ago and her success is a testament to her dedication and talent. I met Ellen while taking a workshop with Collen Nyanhongo, a stone sculptor from Zimbabwe. Since then Ellen has been to the Marble Marble symposium numerous times and has been a participant at the prestigious show in Benson Sculpture Park since she first applied--which is a rare feat!

Congrats Loveland Sculptors!

2011-02-18T08:13:00.003-07:00

The team of sculptors from Loveland, Colorado who headed to Japan earlier this month to participate in the 11th annual Japan Cup international Snow Sculpting Competition did not come home empty handed.

While the sculpture is just a memory...snow sculptures, unlike their stone counterparts, are temporary after all..the threesome of Stefan Keinschuster, Jack Kreutzer and Sheldon James came home with 3rd place titles that will never melt in this prestigious art competition.

Starting with blocks of snow that are 10 feet x 10 feet x 10 feet (or 3 meters to be more exact) the Loveland sculptors were the only team to create a representational piece--all other competitors chose to create abstract sculptures.

The talented artists were selected to represent the United States based on the drawing they submitted. The carved and shaped the 15 ton chilly cube of snow into rocks that morph into water, fabric and 2 figures.

Congrats guys--well done!

Loveland Sculptors Heading to Japan for Competition

2011-02-03T08:33:00.000-07:00

Fresh on the heels of the 2011 Budweiser Snow Sculpting Competition in Breckenridge this last week, the team from Loveland, Colorado is heading to Japan for more of the cold stuff.

The 11th annual Japan Cup International Snow Sculpting Competition is held in Nayoro, Japan. The Loveland sculptors will be representing not just Loveland, nor even just Colorado, they are representing the United Sates in this competition.

12 countries are represented in this competition after being selected from the sketches they previously submitted. All teams are scheduled to arrive on Monday, Feb. 7.

The blocks of snow are a bit smaller than Breckenridge--starting at 3 meters cubed (about 10 feet) but, like Breckenridge, the area is known for it's fine quality snow that allows for intricate works of art as a result.

Team USA's design will include a rock foundation transforming into water and fabric. Two figures will also be prominent in the piece.

The team members include Loveland artists Stefan Kleinschuster, Sheldon James and Jack Kreutzer.

Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Winners

2011-02-01T08:09:00.005-07:00

The 2011 Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships where held last week in Breckenridge, with the sculptors putting down their tools on Saturday Jan. 30. The resulting works of art are available for viewing by the public, weather permitting, through Sunday, Feb. 6.

The artists compete for glory, not money--there is no cash prize for this competition. The event is free to watch...with the only "fee" being $1 to vote for people's choice, $1 = 1 vote. All proceeds from the voting go to funding the event for future years.

1st Place- Team Mexico
2nd Place- Team Canada- Yukon
3rd Place- Team Breckenridge

“Team Mexico definitely took some risks,” said Jenn Cram, judge coordinator and Arts District Administrator for the Town of Breckenridge. “They defied gravity in several areas on the piece, especially with the dragon head. The contrast of thick and thin areas created a wonderful fluidity. Additionally, the piece was covered with finely executed texture that spoke to and had a strong connection to the team’s heritage. Team Mexico’s expression, use of ice for details and overall risk taken resulted in a superbly-executed sculpture with 360 degrees of interest.”

While Team Mexico won the first prize in the eyes of the official judges, both Team Canada-Yukon and Team Breckenridge produced crowd favorites.

People's Choice- Team Canada- Yukon
Kid's Choice- Team Breckenridge
Artist's Choice- Team Canada- Yukon

Photos of the sculptures show the detail the artists are able to achieve.

Team Mexico's winner titled “Alebrije,” depicts three mythological beings of Mexican culture. Team Canada Yukon's "Spirits of the Aurora,” represents the Northern Lights. Team USA Breckenridge's “Underwater,” used the shape of the 12-foot-tall starting block to act as a frame for a below-the-sea scene.

Colorado's Cool Carving Competition Commences

2011-01-25T13:41:00.008-07:00

The Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships are held in Breckenridge, Colorado every year. The first internal competition in the town was in 1991 so this year mark's the town's 21st competition.

The competition allows only hand tools to touch the 10x10x12 blocks of snow (yes, that's feet) that weigh in at 20 tons. The competition starts today with 5 person teams coming from Russia, China, Japan, Morocco, Belize, Finland, France, New Zealand, Switzerland, Sweden, Mexico, Great Britain, Spain, Bulgaria and Canada and of course, the United States. This year 8 countries are represented by the 15 teams with the US boasting 4 different teams all competing for medals and ribbons--but no cash. Sculptors do it for the fun of it and love to have you come enjoy the process and the results.

The teams have five days (65 hours total) to create their masterpieces. After that a panel of artist judges will find a favorite on the basis of theme, style and technique. At the awards ceremony on Sunday (at 3:30pm), the sculptors will also learn which team has been selected as People's Choice, Kids' Choice and Artists' Choice. People vote with $1 donations, with the money going to help support the event.

Some years the works are melting by the time the weekend comes, but this year it looks like the temperatures will be cool enough to preserve the work. Mother Nature permitting, the sculptures will remain on display until the evening of Sunday Feb. 6.

Organizers suggest visitors come before then and watch the pieces evolve--which is a lot of fun. It is hard to see what they are doing at first, but then suddenly the work reveals itself. Very cool...no pun intended. Friday night Jan 28 ought to be a really fun night since it is frequently an "all nighter" for the artists as they put on the finishing touches before they judging on Saturday the 29th which begins at 10:00am.

Many of the sculptors who participate in snow sculpting also work in other materials other times of the year. Loveland sculptor Jack Kreutzer is a stone sculptor and one of the founders of the Sculpture in the Park show every summer (this summer will be the 28th annual event.)

Learn more about the snow sculpting competition including the best parking spots and some photos from past events. The venue is at the Riverwalk area (see map) and there are shuttles from other parts of town.

Check out more photos, information and even videos of past events.

Yule Marble Quarry Reopens with Italian Ties

2011-01-13T12:31:00.004-07:00

Good news for lovers of the beautiful white stuff from Colorado called Yule Marble (yes we have beautiful white stuff that is not snow!) After being closed for 10 months the quarry is reopening under new ownership.

Read the Denver Post article.

It seems that Colorado Marble and Carrara Marble are now linked: the new owner is from Carrara, Italy!

I'm actually working on a small piece of snow white Yule Marble right now, so I was pleased to hear this news.

Stone Sculptor Works in Limestone and Marble

2011-01-07T12:20:00.005-07:00

Local sculptor Gene Milway took art lessons in high school, but like most of us pursued other ways to make a living. About 40 years ago Gene first started sculpting using clay.

Now Gene carves in limestone and in marble--Yule marble from here in Colorado and Carrara marble from Italy.

He has attended the popular Marble Marble symposium five times. This symposium is organized by another local sculptor, Madeline Wiener, and it takes place in Marble, Colorado near Aspen every summer.

Gene has also spent 3 weeks in Italy near the famous Carrara marble quarry.

I have met Gene and his lovely wife, Gaea. While I was at their home, Gene showed me his pieces and was very generous with his time telling and showing me a variety of tools he uses in his studio at home.

Gene's work is often displayed in Fort Collins' Lincoln Center, and the sculpture shows in Loveland: Sculpture in the Park and the Loveland Sculpture Invitational.

Christmas Ornaments by Loveland Sculptors

2010-12-24T13:30:00.003-07:00

One of the wonderful traditions Loveland, Colorado has is offering special Christmas ornaments every year. This tradition started 20 years ago with the first ornament created by Cammie Lundeen.

Lundeen loves sculpting horses and was invited to create this year's ornament in honor of the 20th anniversary. Of course she chose to create some loving and lovely horses for this tree trimmer.

Ornaments are available at many stores for $25, or by mail for $30 (which includes the shipping and handling.) But don't expect to get the original for any where close to that--only 600 were made and they are a hot collectible now, with one selling recently for $1000!

To order by mail, send your $30 check to Winter Holiday Council, PO Box 2274, Loveland, CO 80539. Proceeds from the sale of the ornaments pay for holiday displays all around Loveland.

Carving Out Santa

2010-12-23T14:32:00.002-07:00

A Loveland couple has amassed an extensive collection of hand carved wooden Santas.

What makes this collection even more amazing is that they created them, all 130 of them, themselves! Jim Siegl is the carver and Helen paints the figures.

They are beautiful and filled with all sorts of details...what a great hobby they have created for themselves.

Gratitude Book

2010-12-15T05:51:00.001-07:00

I am super excited to finally be able to let the cat out of the bag...this project has been so much fun and so fulfilling...and for this next part I need YOUR help TODAY, Wednesday, Dec. 15

I have been honored to be asked to be a co-author of an incredible new book: "The Gratitude Book Project: Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude" and we are going for an ambitious goal--to become an Amazon best-seller!

So if you are looking for an inspiring book, either for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, please consider this book that will provide that inspiration day after day--all year long!

And, feel good about your purchase for another reason: 100% of the proceeds from the Amazon sales go to 4 worthwhile charities! That's right, 100%--we don't get a dime!

The goal is to get as many sales as possible on Wednesday, Dec. 15 in order to hit that best-seller mark. Why is that so important? Well, best-seller status will get us a lot of traction and help us earn more money for these worthy charities.

So who gets the money?
We have selected four non-profits to receive the proceeds from our sales on Amazon:

* ASPCA for the prevention of animal abuse
* FeedingAmerica
* Make-a-Wish
* Women for Women International

How do I order?
Ordering the book is easy,just go to Amazon and search for "The Gratitude Book Project" or you can click on this link that will take you directly there: http://amzn.to/fbXLpN

This book is special to me because it really helps remind us of all the things that we do have to be grateful for...things we often over look. Some simple things and some really big ones, too--like YOU!

Mysterious Sculpture

2010-12-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

Imagine waking up and looking out your window and seeing a sculpture. Cool, right? Well, what if it appeared overnight without your knowledge?

Turns out that's what happened to a woman in Boulder...for the 2nd time!

Read this article for more details...I was amazed.

Don't want to spoil the end, but it's too bad it won't stay there long.

Ice Sculpture and Bowling

2010-12-13T08:15:00.002-07:00

Ice sculptors in Loveland got into the act, too, during the festivities this week...

Even creating a little bowling alley where you could knock down pins with a frozen chicken which turned out to be a hit with the kids!

Snow Sculpture Competition in Loveland

2010-12-12T16:36:00.011-07:00

Loveland had a snow sculpture competition this year for the first time in...well, I don't know how long. So of course, we probably had the warmest December to date on record! Snow had to be made from local ponds (one of the sculptors told me the snow smelled fishy) and trucked in.

Concrete forms were set up to hold the snow, which was loaded in and then packed down by volunteers. After a day to set, the forms were removed and the blocks of dirty snow were revealed. I noticed large air pockets, which the sculptors called "cancer"...fortunately for this competition they were allowed to help the blocks a little and use "slurry" to fill in voids if necessary.

The snow was rapidly melting in our 50+ degree weather...but the sculptors, using a variety of tools came out with their maquettes and drawings and started to carve.

The works gradually began to take shape over a couple of days as the sculptors worked...

Things were looking pretty grim on Friday...the wind was strong which can erode the sculpture and the temperatures were so warm it was not possible to get to work on the detail.

But, sculptors are intrepid and many stayed up all night or came early on the (thankfully for them) cold Saturday morning...

...and by Saturday evening masterpieces were revealed!

all in all, the event was a big success!

New Zealand Arts in My Thoughts

2010-11-22T09:04:00.003-07:00

New Zealand is a beautiful country and I met so many wonderful people while I traveled there years ago.

My thoughts are with them as the rebuild Christchurch after the earthquake that devastated the historic downtown region and now with the miners trapped due to the explosion in the mine.

As lives, families and cities are rebuilt, it takes the combined efforts and positive thoughts of us all to bring the best possible outcome given the circumstances beyond our control. Truly, many of these people are going through a horrific time--one that we would not wish upon anyone.

Rebuilding the cities will be the easier task. It is time-consuming, but they are blessed to have an abundance of beautiful stone (Oamaru stone is great for both sculpture and buildings) and talented artisans for reconstruction. There are options as to whether they choose to rebuild in the style of that which was lost or go for a new look altogether as Napier did years ago when it was destroyed. That city was rebuilt in the then contemporary style (Art Deco) and is a testament of how we can take advantage of a tragedy and turn it into a time capsule of sorts...creating an artistic and historic snapshot of a different era.

Lives and families are not so easily reassembled, and my thoughts are with all who have been touched by these disasters. May you know peace, love and beauty in your lives.

Seiferts Sculpt Steel and Land

2010-11-13T16:14:00.003-07:00

Ed and Barb Seifert are former neighbors of mine...they also happen to be landscape designers and sculptors residing in northern Colorado.

Funny thing is when we were neighbors neither of us was actively working in sculpture.

I run into them at the Loveland Sculpture Invitational...and it is always great to see their work and catch up on what they are doing and how much their kids have grown. It just doesn't seem possible that it has been that many years, but when I learn where the kids are these days it makes me realize that my gray hairs are not premature!

Each of the pieces the artistic duo creates is unique. They often combine steel construction with water, whether free standing or a pond, and glass or stone...the natural and the man-made coexisting in harmony.

One of their pieces, "River Chimes" is an example of this harmony. The work is installed here in Loveland, at the Medical Center of the Rockies and features stone and steel in the form of posts and pipes.

Ed and Barb are extremely talented, as well as wonderful folks. Visit their site to see their landscape design, the nursery and of course, their sculpture. You can even arrange an appointment to see their private sculpture garden...but do call ahead! 303 772-1888

Test for Limestone or Marble

2010-11-12T16:34:00.000-07:00

My cousin was here recently as he drove cross country...moving from Florida to California. Since he was a geologist in a "former" life it was fun to have him help me with some of my stones.

I confess I find stones that I think are pretty and I frequently don't know what they are! What kind of sculptor is that? Truth is, I'm more interested in how they carve and what they look like...but it is good to know what it is in case I like it and want to get more!

He told me that I can do a simple test to determine if my pieces are Limestone or Marble.

Take plain vinegar and place a drop on the stone. If it "fizzes" you have Limestone or Marble.

An alternate test is to, in place of the vinegar, use muriatic acid (you can get it from a swimming pool supply store.)

Sometimes with the limestone you have to have some stone powder rather than the solid rock...I'm not sure why, but I'm the carver cousin not the scientist!

Haven't tried it yet, but I have a couple rocks that I want to run the test on. It'll be interesting to see how it works out.

Back in the Studio

2010-11-11T16:28:00.003-07:00

Having injured my shoulder (don't ask me how, because I don't know) I have not been able to be in the studio much for the past 6 months.

I've been busy with trips home to see my mother who was having some health issues...she seems to be pretty stable and accepting some help now, so that is good.

This week I have actually gotten in the studio twice! I am so happy.

Have a new little bird that I carved. Really I suppose it was more whittled since I'm not really up to hammer and chisel. Small piece of soft serpentine. Very easy to work.

I've done all the sanding, now I'm letting her dry. Then I'll see if I like what I've done or if I want to change any of the texture before I polish her and decide on her base.

Originally I had thought I would have a wall mounted piece as she is thin and really one sided. Now that she is done I'm thinking she would look great perched on a rock. I found a piece of igneous stone that would be a nice contrast. I'll have to think about that!

Arts As Important As Food

2010-10-03T17:49:00.002-06:00

There is a Persian proverb that says:

If you have but two coins, use one for bread to feed the body and the other for hyacinths to feed the soul.

Beauty in all forms has long been known to promote health and happiness. This beauty may be in the form of flowers or man-made art, whether that be in the form of film, music, live performances, painting, poetry, or my personal favorite, sculpture.

According to researcher Dan Buettner in his latest book, Thrive,

Art, like flowers, nourishes the soul. Happy people usually have access to art...and live in places that are attractive to the eye. A city must provide venues for artists to create and exhibit their work...

One of the examples given in Thrive as a city doing a good job of this is the town of my alma mater, San Luis Obispo, California. It seems that students had good reasons for wanting to stick around this beautiful, inspiring, and art-nurturing city!

Loveland Sculpture Invitational Change in Schedule

2010-07-30T17:56:00.003-06:00

This year there is a change in the schedule for the Loveland Sculpture Invitational...it appears it will not be open on Friday (which is a shame) but the good news is that if you want to see the fantastic works on Friday you can by attending the opening gala. Tickets are $25 for a pair and include wine, beer and food as well as the sneak preview of all the wonderful art.

You can get tickets at the website or at the door on Friday August 6th. The event runs from 4-8pm.

If we don't see you there, come on by on Saturday or Sunday. Admission to the show is still only $5. The show hours are 9:30am-6:00pm on Saturday and 9:30am-4:30pm on Sunday!

See ya!

Da Vinci Painted It All By Himself?

2010-07-15T09:32:00.004-06:00

It has long been known that many of the great masters had teams of assistants who helped create the masterpieces we enjoy to this day. The assistants often had specialties...some might paint clouds, others rocks, etc.

Leonardo Da Vinci was no exception.

His painting, "Virgin of the Rocks" has long been thought to have been painted with a team of assistants. Recently the painting was cleaned and it is now believed that the master painted this one all by himself.

So if a team helped paint a masterpiece...does that make it any less masterful? If the "painter" is more or less a director does that make him any less a maestro? Is the ensemble method of art only valid in music and theater or large scale projects such as Christo's that would be physically impossible for a single person to accomplish?

These are interesting questions for artists and art lovers to ponder.

An artist is the visionary and the driving force to have the vision brought into reality.

Does that mean that perhaps the artist does not need to personally have any skill with brush, chisel or other tool?

After all, there are many artisans who have technical skills but lack the creative vision to bring something unique to life.

Perhaps the artist does have the skills necessary (as of course Da Vinci did) but lacks the time to breath life into all the visions that exist in his mind's eye. Thus using a team to bring the pieces forth benefits all...the artist, the team and the world.

I'd love to hear thoughts from other artists and art lovers on this...for example, if you bought an oil painting by a particular artist and learned that he or she didn't actually do all the painting on the canvas, would that matter to you? Would it have less value monetarily or spiritually for you?

If you'd to read more about the cleaning of the Da Vinci that insp, click here.

Finger Painting on iPad

2010-07-07T11:27:00.004-06:00

This is an amazing demonstration of what a talented artist can do with latest technology.

The video is just under 8 minutes in length. Entire process took about 3 hours.

Now, how can I use the iPad to carve stone???

New Zealand Gallery Annual Sale

2010-07-06T09:28:00.004-06:00

If you happen to be in New Zealand this month, be sure to stop by the Birdwoods Gallery in Hawkes Bay. They are having their annual sale so it is a great opportunity to buy some art to go with fine wine from the region.

Birdwoods has a nice collection of Shona stone sculpture along with metal pieces. In November 2009, Louise and Bruce converted an additional paddock into a beautiful sculpture walk with extensive olive tree plantings. Visitors follow a meandering mown path to view a further display of stone sculptures, as well as the life size metal giraffes and crocodiles. Sizes and prices range to fit every budget and suitcase (or shipping container.)

Birdwoods also has a Sweet Shop to tempt you as you stroll the garden...so literally they have something for every taste!

Birdwoods Gallery, Sculpture
Garden and Sweet Shop

Welcome to Birdwoods -

a very special place in the heart of beautiful Hawke's Bay. Set in the countryside just 3km from Havelock North village, Birdwoods Gallery and its small companion, the Birdwoods Sweet Shop, are a 'must see' for all visitors and locals.

Opened in February 2005 by Bruce and Louise Stobart, Birdwoods Gallery features sculpture and decorative arts from both local and African artists. The gallery's home is the original church hall from St Peter's in Waipawa dating from the late 1800’s which Bruce and Louise moved to its new home on Middle Road in 2004. The old hall has since been surrounded with a beautiful sculpture garden.

Right next door to Birdwoods Gallery is the Birdwoods Sweet Shop, an old fashioned sweet shop 'just like you remember' housed in a charming one room colonial cottage made from reclaimed materials. Opened in December 2006, the cottage is a treasure trove of old fashioned sweets, lemonade, sherbet, fudge, ice creams and other novelties.

2010 Colorado Governor's Invitational Art Show Going On Now

2010-04-27T11:46:00.004-06:00

The 2010 Colorado Governor's Invitational Art Show and Sale is now happening at the Loveland Museum.

This is an excellent opportunity to see some of the best paintings and sculptures from our talented Colorado artists.

This show started 32 years ago, moving to the Loveland Museum in 1990. These days, more than 4,000 people from across the country attend the show. (Don't fear...that's not all at once!)

The show's director is Judy Archibald and she says, "This show is one of the most prestigious exhibits of original art in the entire western United States." Her goal in selecting the pieces was to show talent and a variety of media.

The show opened last Saturday. 58 Colorado artists are featured with a maximum of 4 pieces in the show. The artists are professionals, from all across Colorado.

Beyond being an excellent show, the exhibit is a fundraiser for the Loveland Rotary and Thompson Valley Rotary with proceeds going to scholarships for art students in Loveland and Berthoud, Colorado, and helping local organizations including Habitat fro Humanity and House of Neighborly Service.

The local Rotary clubs provide the volunteers who are present at the show every day to answer question.

This is a great show to attend if you are an art student looking to learn and gather inspiration. As an artist, it is also a great show to see what your contemporaries are doing and maybe learn and be inspired, too! And, if you are an art collector, this is an opportunity for you to expand your Colorado art collection and help a lot of deserving people and organizations in the process!

The Loveland Museum is located at 503 N. Lincoln Ave, Loveland, Colorado.

The show is free and runs through Sunday, May 30.

For more information call 970-962-2410 or visit www.governorsartshow.org

Sculptor Fritz White Dies After Long Illness

2010-04-13T07:01:00.004-06:00

Loveland lost one of her great sculptors this week when Fritz White died after a long illness.

Like many artists who now live in Loveland, White moved here to be close to the art foundry that was essential to his creations.

Fritz White was one of the founding 5 members of the Sculpture in the Park event that happens each August in Benson Sculpture Park. This annual event started in 1985 with just 50 artists and is now the largest juried outdoor sculpture exhibition in the country and has sales of over $1 million.

I never had the honor of meeting the sculptor in person, but have seen works by this gifted artist around our city...one in particular cannot be missed as you drive north or south on US 287, "Winning the Iron Shirt" which depicts one Native American claiming the war shield from his defeated opponent.

One year when I exhibited at the rival/sister show (depending on who you talk to) Sculpture Invitational I was seated next to a fine sculptor who had studied with White. Greg Todd told me that Fritz made all the difference to him when he said (and I roughly paraphrase!) that art is all about the creating...selling anything is a bonus.

Fritz White left behind a wonderful legacy of art, a fabulous show, many friends and admirers. We can honor him best by creating our work and living our lives to the fullest as he did. As his wife, Ina, said, "Show your work and be proud...Just do it. That's his legacy. He just wanted everyone to just do it."

Investing in Indian Art: Motivations to Invest in Art

2010-02-13T08:05:00.001-07:00

I found this to be an interesting article about art as an investment, particularly in light of the recent record-breaking auction prices! Art as an investment is back...not that it really ever went away, but sales until very recently had been a bit less than to be hoped for.

Investing in Indian Art: Motivations to Invest in Art

One of the biggest points about investing in art is that you must do for reasons other than hoping to score 1.4 million dollars later from a piece you bought for 1400 hundred. Art is so subjective and the art world has been known to be fickle. Be sure when you buy art you get educated, but also be sure that you love what you buy. Hopefully you will have your art on your walls or in the halls for many, many years to come. Purchasing art that brings you pleasure is the only way to have an assured dividend from this investment!

Privacy Policy

2010-01-01T16:48:00.000-07:00

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Cuppa Mona Lisa

2009-12-12T09:47:00.008-07:00

This image of Mona Lisa was created in Sydney, Australia.

Look closely and see if you can determine the medium....

What makes this work so unique is that it was created from 3604 cups of coffee.

The various shades were achieved by the amount of milk added to each cup.

I presume they used decaf! And hope they used recyclable cups!

Just goes to show that the only limitation to art is our creativity.

Sculptors Donate to Schools' Arts Programs

2009-12-10T09:18:00.003-07:00

Loveland, Colorado is home to two big outdoor sculpture shows every summer, one of those shows is the Loveland Sculpture Invitational.

This even is hosted by the Loveland Sculpture Group, a nonprofit organization that supports established and upcoming artists. Each year the group donates part of the proceeds from the show to local arts programs in our schools.

The Loveland Sculpture Group has given back to the community for almost 20 years...providing $220,000 for our arts programs.

According to Jerry Halsor, president of the nonprofit, some ways the money has been used in the past have included buying kilns, camera, as well as sculpting tools.

Today $10,000 is being donated to teachers from a variety of schools for their projects. The donation will occur at a special ceremony at 4pm at Centennial Elementary School on W. 37th Street here in Loveland. The even it open to the public and free...if you want more information contact the Loveland Sculpture Group

Stone Sculpture Connects Zimbabwe, Colorado and New Zealand

2009-12-09T17:32:00.003-07:00

Here in Loveland we have our wonderful Chapungu Sculpture Park which features stone sculptures from Zimbabwe. The setting is beautiful with water and views of the Rocky Mountains.

Well, I just got an update from a wonderful gallery in New Zealand which also promotes the wonderful Shona sculptures and has a sculpture garden as well, the Birdwoods Gallery

Whether you are in beautiful Colorado or New Zealand, you can see and collect fabulous works of art from Zimbabwe, and join the many collectors of these Shona masterpieces.

Loveland Art for All Ages

2009-12-07T07:42:00.002-07:00

Loveland, Colorado is known for sculpture. We have several bronze foundries here, 2 sculpture parks, and scads of sculptors live here...and hundreds more travel here every year for our big summer sculpture shows.

Bronze sculpture is the most common...and what many people think of when they think sculpture...and we have some gorgeous examples of bronze sculpture in town. Of course, sculptures can be made out of other metals as well...

Stone sculpture is a personal favorite of mine and probably the other image that people come up with when they hear the word "sculpture"...perhaps it is visions of Michelangelo's David that come to mind. Here we have an entire park dedicated to stone sculpture from Zimbabwe.

Well, the Bronze and Stone Ages are not the only epochs covered (art-wise) in Loveland! We also have a market on the Ice Age! And it isn't just because we got 8 inches of snow recently.

Have you ever seen an ice sculpture? I'm not talking about the snow sculptures, like they have in Breckenridge...those are beautiful, but this is a different art form.

Ice sculptures are often created for restaurants...I remember seeing my first ice sculptures when I was a kid...the Sunday buffet always had a beautiful work of art. I remember thinking it was really cool (no pun intended) but not really giving any thought as to how it was created.

But where does that beautiful, clear ice come from?

Is there a giant freezer somewhere with great big ice cube trays?

As it turns out, Loveland, Colorado is the place where the technology was developed that creates the crystal-clear blocks of ice. This was way back and the company is still here and sells equipment around the world.

Instead of working from one massive ice cube, the ice sculptor works with blocks that are joined together with water and cold. In this case the blocks are about 20 inches x 40 inches and are about 10 inches thick. These blocks take about 4 days to freeze!

In Loveland, these artist's blocks are created every day and travel across the country. The key to getting the ice crystal-clear? Keep the water moving as it is freezing and remove any impurities as it freezes.

Ice sculpture is like stone carving in that it is a subtractive process. In this case the sculptor uses a chain saw, drills and other specialized tools. Many sculptors create these temporary works of art completely free hand, but others are created with special molds. Routers, lathes, and other machines associated with woodworking have been created to handle the frozen medium as well.

One of the things that makes ice sculpture so unique is, of course, the transparent nature of the medium and that you can freeze things inside it. The other big difference is that the work is temperature sensitive and so, unlike a work of bronze or stone which will last for centuries, this masterpiece may last a few days or even just a few hours.

If you want more information about ice for ice sculpture, and to see some examples of what can be done with it, check out Loveland's own ice sculpture shop!

Read about a recent ice sculpture created here in Loveland by Chef and carver Michael Pizzuto

Raw Stones and Sculptures on Sale

2009-12-04T08:58:00.006-07:00

Chapungu Warehouse & Gallery is having a Thank You Promotion
You can get 50% off all craft items, catalogs & books AND RAW STONE from Zimbabwe!

This is a great deal if you are a stone sculptor...I know I'll be heading over there to pick some stone up!

Also you can get 40% off all other sculptures...and if you want to commission a piece you can get 20% off that! This is a great opportunity for you to start or add to your art collection! They represent some of the very best sculptors in Zimbabwe and have pieces in all range of sizes and prices.

If you've never been, this is a fantastic opportunity to meet some fantastic people and see some gorgeous sculpture from Zimbabwe. (If you've already been there, then you know what I'm talking about!)

Address: 1052 N. Boise Ave, Unit B (it is a BIG warehouse, in the back), Loveland, CO
Tel: 970-461-8020

Check out their website: www.ChapunguSculpturePark.com
And if you want to email them: rgatchap@aol.com

And if you enjoy what you see there, be sure to check out the Chapungu Sculpture Park, located at I-25 and Hwy 34 in Loveland. Only 1 hour north of Denver...well worth the drive...the best collection of Sculpture from Zimbabwe in North America!

Colorado Wildlife Sculptor Kent Ullberg Receives Award

2009-11-27T09:58:00.001-07:00

This is the third time the talentedwildlife sculptor, Kent Ullberg, of Loveland, Colorado is highlighted in my blog!

On August 26 of this year, I mentioned that he was a participant in a wildlife exhibition at the The Wildlife Experience natural history and wildlife art museum in Parker, Colorado.

Back in September last year I wrote of this sculptor's ability to combine abstract elements and realism to create his uniquely wonderful sculptures.

This time, the sculptor who lives in our beautiful, yet land-locked, state is being honored by Mystic Seaport, the "museum of America and the sea", located in Mystic, Connecticut. The museum has bestowed upon this native of Sweden the 30th annual International Marine Art Exhibition Award of Excellence...this isn't the first time for Ullberg to receive the award--it is his 4th.

This year's award is for his stainless-steel sculpture of a kingfisher that stands 20 inches tall. Click the link to view this magnificent seabird, entitled, "Halcyon."

Artist Jeanne-Claude Dies But Projects Live On

2009-11-21T08:23:00.004-07:00

Environmental artist and sculptor Jeanne-Claude died Wednesday night. She had suffered a brain aneurysm and died from complications.

While it is always sad to learn of anyone's death, it is also wonderful to know that someone has been able to spend their life filled with passion, doing what they love to do.

Jeanne-Claude's husband, fellow artist and collaborator, Christo will continue with the projects that the couple planned. One of those projects is a piece that will span the Arkansas River here in Colorado, near Canon City. It is estimated that this project will be completed in the summer of 2013. Federal approval is still pending for this project; Colorado officials are working with Christo's team to get "Over The River, Project for the Arkansas River, State of Colorado" actualized.

Jeanne-Claude was 74 at the time of her death.

To read more about Jeanne-Claude and her husband Christo, click here and you will be taken to their bio page on their site.

Loveland Artist Studio Tour and Sale

2009-10-12T15:43:00.003-06:00

This weekend, Oct. 17-18, 2009 will be the 1st annual Loveland Artist Studio Tour and Sale.

What a great opportunity to meet artists of various media. Sculptors, painters, stained glass artisans and photographers...

See what they are working on, watch demonstrations and even buy unique gifts for friends and family!

The tour is self-guided, free and open to the public.

Studios will be open on Sat 10-4, Sun 11-4.

Click to see the official map and visit LovelandArtStudioTour for more information and contact details.

New Mural In Loveland Colorado

2009-09-09T11:43:00.003-06:00

Had the opportunity to drive by the new trompe l'oeil mural (in progress) in Loveland...it is going to really be fun to watch it as it "grows"...saw them taping things off getting ready to paint...maybe I'll figure out how to download one of the photos from my new pda/phone/camera so I can post it here!

and wow I saw lots of sculptures that I hadn't seen before...that was fantastic.

Sure feel blessed to have so much fantastic art in our "little" town!

Trompe L'oeil

2009-09-01T07:46:00.002-06:00

Maybe I am so fascinated by Trompe L'Oeil art because it looks so 3 dimensional...not sure...or maybe it is just because I love when I see it well done...

Anyway, here is another fantastic Trompe L'Oeil artist...this time a fellow named John Pugh who paints murals.

Start at his home page and then go to see various murals...and I love the Upcoming link because it gives you a great look into the initial sketches and concepts, not just the finished product.

Enjoy!

Wildlife Art Exhibition Includes Local Sculptor

2009-08-26T07:23:00.003-06:00

The Wildlife Experience natural history and wildlife art museum which is in Parker, Colorado opened their fall exhibit "Colorado Gold" on Aug 15.

The exhibition runs through Nov 15 and features 35 Colorado artists and 53 pieces of art.

The works are all nature-related and in a variety of media.

One of the artists exhibiting is Loveland sculptor Kent Ullberg, whom I've written about before.

To see the exhibition go to The Wildlife Experience, located at 10035 S. Peoria St, just one mile east of I-25. To learn more about the museum or the exhibition, call 720-488-3300 or visit their website.

Moss Landing Galleria Dos

2009-08-20T09:26:00.003-06:00

I am in California visiting my mom and we drove to Moss Landing yesterday...I wanted to see the ocean--living in Colorado I don't have the opportunity to do that too often.

We had lunch at a fantastic restaurant on the slough...ate fresh seafood while watching the otters cavort...fun...

Then we walked "downtown" and went into an antique shop which had some wonderful pieces...there was a French African chest from the 1940s with exquisite carving all over...a variety of carousel horses, not restored, including a pair of miniatures from Mexico that were completely unfamiliar to me.

Next I saw a gallery and went in. Galleria Dos is what she called it...they had just had an opening reception and so when I went in they were vacuuming the carpets...

This gallery is a collective of local artists. Sometimes that sort of gallery is a collective of not so great stuff. I am pleased to say that there were some really nice pieces here. Not enough sculpture for my tastes (but then I am a bit--!--biased on that point) but there was a good variety of images and styles. Appropriate for a small town gallery wanting to appeal to a broad cross-section of visitors.

There were some wonderful paintings I was admiring...I was surprised when I saw they were actually giclees. I used to do color approvals for giclees, so I know how difficult it can be to get a good giclee and represent the textural aspect of paintings. These were very well done. I pointed out some of the pieces to my mom and she looked and said, "I know him!" Turns out she had taken a workshop from Michael Linstrom many years ago.

There were also some marvelous photographs by Craig Lovell. Really rich saturated colors, great detail, interesting compositions.

I love how different artists see things...we each have our own vision and interpretation of life and sometimes when another artist shows us how they see something it can truly transform our own vision. That is one of the best gifts artists have to offer the world. A good artist changes us--perhaps in a small way, perhaps in a grand way--but our perception of the world is never quite the same when we have truly experienced art.

Thanks Moss Landing for a great day and some new insights!

Art: More or Less

2009-08-10T10:00:00.000-06:00

How do you gauge success at an art show? Is it more attendance? More participating artists? More pieces sold? More dollars in sales?

I was at two big sculpture shows this weekend. In my non-scientific observation I would say there were fewer artists participating and fewer patrons.

However I did see significant numbers of items being wrapped and carried out.

In today's paper there was a preliminary statement that said they believed more pieces sold this year than in years' past. More pieces, but the average price per piece was less. So a bigger number of pieces but less total dollar revenue.

This might be ideal for the show's organizers, but what about for everyone else?

I think this can be viewed as good news...more people got to appreciate and purchase more pieces from more artists. More pieces were shipped. The wealth was spread around.

In the past, many artists thought they had to go bigger and bigger in order to get the big sale. This year, those that did the best had smaller pieces that were affordable by more buyers.

Perhaps the successful artist was "reading" the market and bringing smaller works. Or perhaps he or she was just doing what felt right. Or perhaps it was different artists who sold.

You can decide that your work is best represented large...and know that you will have fewer sales but each will be a bigger dollar amount (and I know of several very large pieces that sold)...or you can decide that your work is best represented smaller...or perhaps you have a combination of both.

I believe that art is something that comes from our hearts and souls and speaks to the heart and soul of the buyer. Rather than changing your vision, think about how you can make your work be accessible to the buyer...maybe you have a smaller version available or maybe you can offer a payment plan for larger pieces.

The big lesson here is that you can sell art in any market. You have to believe that it is possible.

Exceptional Day at Sculpture Invitational

2009-08-08T07:55:00.004-06:00

Yesterday I spent an incredible day at the Sculpture Invitational here in Loveland, Colorado. We are so fortunate to live in a community that is so supportive of the arts...and to have not just one, but TWO huge sculpture shows every summer.

I noticed a lot of new exhibitors this year. It was fun to see the quality of the new work and to also catch up with some returning favorites...talk about what they have been up to, new works they have created, shows they are participating in, successes they've been having, and new grandkids arriving!

Met one lady who is 90 years old. She says this is her last show. She'll keep sculpting, but says she is "tired" of the shows...I asked when she started sculpting and she said when she was a little girl. She used to carve corn cobs!

Ran into several past favorites with really wonderful additions. Ann Fleming has added some bas reliefs to her collection. Very nice. Phillip Feaster finished a piece he was working on last year and added another called "Kelp Dance"...I swear I was in the kelp forest off Monterey when I looked at that one. Victor Issa finished "The Power of Thought" and it is magnificent.

Had some great conversations about stones, carving and special techniques...John Christensen, Marv Poulson, Jeff Schaezle and so many more!

Met some cool woodworkers...making me think about giving that a try! Thanks for all the info William Ooms, Lew Hammer (don't you just love that name for a sculptor!), Michael Bauermeister (another great name for a guy working in wood!)

One 1st timer that I was especially impressed with is Lisa Arquette. She combines wood, metal (bronze, polished pewter), and glass. She does it all herself. Lots of symbolism behind her work. Very powerful.

Another 1st time exhibitor was David Mallin...very sensual work...love the play of the shadows.

Saw old friends with wonderful new pieces...Greg Todd, Lori Acott-Fowler, Jeff Schaezle, Sam Terakedis, Monty Taylor...

Also ran into friends not exhibiting...Stalin Tafura (congrats on your recent sale & award in the Sculptural Pursuit competition!), Collen Nyanhongo (very interesting conversation on the challenges in moving a permanent installation in Ft Collins), Kathryn Schroeder (Chapungu Gallery) ...

Thanks to everyone for a fantastic show. It was great to see you all and to hear how well you are doing!

Sculpture Invitational Starts Today

2009-08-07T06:33:00.003-06:00

In a few hours I will be surrounded by sculpture--my version of mini Heaven.

Several hundred sculptors will be exhibiting. Styles range from very traditional, realistic works to contemporary/modern, with every stop along the way!

There is something that everyone will love. Pieces come large and small, in all subject matters--horses (there are a lot of horses), wildlife, people, whimsy, abstracts.

And the price tags vary, too. You can find some real art deals at the show...whether you are in the market for a piece for your home or office...this is a fantastic place to acquire a sculpture.

Even if you aren't in a position to buy, this is a wonderful opportunity to see a lot of variety and to learn more about art.

One of the best things about the sculpture show is the availability of the artists! They are all there, so you can meet the sculptor who created the piece you fell in love with and ask all sorts of questions. This is an opportunity that you just don't have when you buy through a gallery.

Most artists enjoy talking about their work and love to have people ask questions. So ask away...whether you are a novice or avid collector this is your opportunity to get inside the artist's head for a little while.

Today the Sculpture Invitational is open from 10-3. Admission (today) is $3. Both the Sculpture Invitational and Sculpture in the Park shows are open Saturday 9am-6pm and Sunday 9:30-4:30. Admission on Sat & Sun is $5 per show.

Body Parts Driving Up the Highway

2009-08-05T14:48:00.005-06:00

WOW! It is that time of year already!

I saw a trailer hauling sculpture up the highway the other day...an odd image of body parts tethered into a trailer. Hmmm...I think they were for the sculpture shows...but then again???

Anyway, I am excited to see so many great artists and fantastic creations. While I had intended to exhibit this year, it was not meant to be. The good news is that means I will be able to really see the show!

If you have never been, you MUST get to Loveland, Colorado this weekend!

For more information on Sculpture in the Park:

For more details about the Sculpture Invitational

Both happen this weekend, so if you are coming from out of town, grab a room for the night and plan on two full days.

You can also have a free tour of the Chapungu Sculpture Park on Friday night or Saturday morning!

ROY GUTHRIE will conduct special FREE tours in the Chapungu Sculpture Park on the following days:

Chapungu Sculpture Park Address:

The Promenade Shops at Centerra

Sky Pond Drive

Loveland, Colorado 80538

Tel: 970 461 8020

FRIDAY 7th AUGUSTat 5:30 pm MEET IN NORTH END OF PARK at 5:15pm

SATURDAY 8th AUGUST at 11:00am: MEET OUTSIDE PF CHANG AND BIAGGI RESTAURANTS at 10:45am.

Enjoy all the opportunities for meeting artists and seeing their work!

Sculpture Goes Missing: Loveland Sculptor May Recreate Historic Work

2009-07-21T08:28:00.005-06:00

Kirsten Kokkin is one of 5 artists selected as finalists in the Angel of Music competition. This competition is to be the artist selected to recreate a sculpture that was on the gravestie of American composer and pianist Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869). The sculpture went missing in the 1950s.

How does a sculpture go missing? I guess someone must have really liked it. The marble angel was almost 5 feet tall. Also taken was the 6-1/2 foot tall marble pedestal. This is no small feat! I mean, it is not like you can just put that in your pocket!

In preparation for the new work, the pedestal has already been restored and an anitque wrought iron fence has been installed, along with greenery.

The sculpture competition is being put forth by a 501c(3) organizaion the Green-Wood Historic Fund. This organization conserves and restores the Brooklyn NY, Green-Wood Cemetery's endangered monuments. The cemetery is listed as a National Historic Landmark, is 171 years old and is the final resting place of many historical figures including Leonard Bernstein, Horace Greeley, FAO Schowartz, Samuel Morse and Boss Tweed.

Kirsten Kokkin is one of our talented local sculptors...who like most us moved here from somewhere else.

One of the things I really appreciate (dare I say "love"?) about living in Loveland, Colorado is our art community. Not just the artists, but how the community as a group embraces the arts.

We have beautiful sculptures all around the city, wonderful galleries and a fantastic museum. Kokkin's work has created quite a local controversy in the past when she created an exquisite piece, The Triangle, that was in the classical tradition, including the figures being nude. The piece ended up being relocated and can be seen in the Benson Sculpture Park.

Ancient Chinese Painting Brought to Life

2009-07-17T10:19:00.003-06:00

I love Chinese murals...maybe because I grew up in Japan and traveled around and got to see them in person.

This is a really cool way to see some great Chinese art with a twist!

Chinese Mural "along the River During the Ching-ming Festival"

You can control the time you take on this...it is great fun...and a fun break during your day.

The original painting is circa 1085-1145, during the Northern Song Dynasty. It was repainted during the Qing Dynasty. It measures 528cm. in width and 24.8cm. in height. It is considered to be one of the Great Treasures of China and was exhibited in the Hong Kong Museum of Art last year.

I hope you enjoy it!

Street Painters Amaze Me

2009-07-04T16:34:00.002-06:00

Maybe because I am a sculptor not a painter, but these guys who paint 3D images on the street just amaze me!

I had seen Julian Beever's work before and he is fantastic. He works in pastels so his work is, temporal, shall we say.

Recently I was shown some images by another painter who actually paints on the streets and his work has survived rains, but apparently the weather still is the biggest challenge he faces.

Anyway, his name is Edgar Mueller and you can can his work here and also here

I found it really fun to watch the video of the making of one of his pieces, The Crevasse

Bobbie Carlyle Classical Sculptor

2009-06-24T06:14:00.003-06:00

Bobbie Carlyle is another one of the extremely talented sculptors who calls Loveland, Colorado home. Her work is classic in style...with powerful messages and exquisite detail that bring to mind the work of great masters.

A recent commission for Bobbie is to re-create a classic female figure that was a fountain adorning the old Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. The hotel has long since been razed and is now the site of a learning center for the LA school district.

Starting from historic photographs, Bobbie suggested a clothed version of the original nude...as a more appropriate choice for a school district. Her design won the competition. The piece is titled "Sea Swept" and is scheduled to be cast later this summer.

I remember first learning about Bobbie's work when I saw "Self Made Man" in Writers Square in Denver. That version was larger than life of a man carving himself out of rock. This piece is what launched Bobbie's career and she has sold copies in a variety of sizes which can be found around the world.

You can see more of Bobbie's work at her website or by visting her at the annual sculpture shows in Loveland (Sculpture in the Park and the Sculpture Invitational are both in August...don't miss them!) She also sells her work by commission and through selected galleries.

Agnes Nyanhongo Sculptor from Zimbabwe

2009-06-04T09:54:00.007-06:00

Really nice post about the fabulous sculptor (and incredible woman) Agnes Nyanhongo.

If you have never seen her work, you can see some photos by clicking the link and reading this post. You can also see Agnes' work in Loveland, Colorado at the Chapungu Sculpture Park where many of her larger pieces are part of a beautiful multi-acrea display. Some of Agnes' smaller pieces are available for sale through the Chapungu Gallery.

I'm honored to have met and sculpted alongside Agnes while she has been visiting Colorado in the past...and I look forward to seeing her again soon!

The Chapungu Gallery and Sculpture Park feature extremely talented stone sculptors from Zimbabwe. The park is off I-25 and Hwy 34, only 1 hour from Boulder and Denver, en route to Ft Collins and Greeley.

We are fortunate in Loveland to be home to many, many talented sculptors and TWO fantastic sculpture parks!

Photographing Your Sculpture

2009-06-01T08:29:00.002-06:00

I have attended a couple of Sculptural Pursuit's BlogTalkRadio sessions and they have been really good.

This one sounds like it will also be exceptional. If you have seen the magazine, you know they know something about photographing art! Beautiful shots.

Photographing Your Sculpture
Sculptural Pursuit
Date / Time: 6/3/2009 4:00 PM (MDT)
Category: Art
Call-in Number: (347) 215-8795

You only have one chance to grab a juror's, gallerist's or editor's attention, so make your digital images the best they can be. Join professional photographer David Hawkinson and SP founder and publisher Nancy DeCamillis as they discuss megapixels, white balance, composition, and more in this interactive half hour. Whether you work with a pro or do it yourself, you'll learn what you need to know to make your images a compelling representation of your artwork. Bring your questions and join us online or on the phone. (Wednesday, June 3. 6PM EDT, 5PM CDT, 4PM MDT, 3PM PDT. 30 minutes.)

I suspect this will be an awesome event for sculptors and other artists!

"See ya" on the call!

National Sculpture Society Meets in Loveland, Colorado

2009-05-28T10:09:00.003-06:00

Approximately 140 sculptors from around the USA are in Loveland, Colorado beginning today through Sunday for the National Sculpture Society meeting.

NSS is a nonprofit organization of professional sculptors, and they are holding their annual meeting in Loveland--a town well known for it's sculpture parks, foundries, large outdoor shows every summer, and the numerous sculptors who reside her.

One of the topics of discussion at this year's meeting will be submitting proposals for commission and some of the challenges that may arise during the commission process.

In addition to the discussions, there will be tours of studios of several of the Loveland area sculptors, including Jane DeDecker, Kristen Kokkin, the Lundeen family, Herb Mignery, Rosetta, Mel Schockner and kent Ullberg.

Saturday night they will have an honors and award dinner.

Sculpture conservation will be the topic for the panel discussion on Sunday. Included in this discussion will be conserving the integrity of your work, selecting materials etc to maintain the quality of the sculpture over a long period of time.

Oldest Sculpture Ever Found in Germany

2009-05-14T09:42:00.004-06:00

Read a cool bit about potentially the worlds oldest carving being found in Germany.

World's oldest carving of a human found in German cave

A carving of a human figure has been found in Germany that is said to be 35,000 years old - which would make it the oldest such sculpture ever discovered.Scientists unearthed the piece - in the shape of a woman with XXL breasts and mega-hips - in the town of Alb-Donau-Kreis in Baden Württemberg.

The woman is carved out of ivory and is at least 35,000 years old, according to archaeologist Nicholas Conrad who writes for ‘Nature’ magazine.

It is a potentially crucial find which gives an entirely new look at the development of art in Europe and the whole world.

The six cm-tall statue has a large bust and enlarged vulva and was found in September 2008 during a dig at a cave in Schelklingen.

It has been described as extremely detailed but bizarre - the sexual organs are exaggerated and the legs and arms are shortened. It is thought to be an artistic impression of fertility.

Perhaps the cave was a sexual hiding place. In 2005, researches found a 20cm-long 28,000-year-old piece of stone shaped like a penis in the same cave.

The new discovery - dubbed Venus - will be on display in Stuttgart from September 18 2008 until January 2010.

Source for this news is Bild.com a German news agency...click here to see original article or to find related items on Bild

Stone Sculpting Workshop May and June with Stalin Tafura

2009-05-08T14:47:00.005-06:00

Those of us who live in the Denver area have been very fortunate to have numerous master sculptors from Zimbabwe provide workshops--thanks to the Chapungu Sculpture Park, whose Director is Roy Guthrie.

I am proud to call Stalin Tafura friend...he comes from a long line of talented stone sculptors. While you can see the family style reflected in Stalin's work (he is part of the famous Nyanhongo family)he has forged his own style that embraces his heritage while setting himself apart.

I am thrilled to share the news that Stalin will be the Master Carver at workshops sponsored by Chapugu this summer--the first workshops begin next week...so don't delay. There are only a limited number of workshops and one of the best things is the groups are always kept small. You get lots of attention and coaching. These workshops are great for beginners with no experience and also for sculptors with experience but want to have a different perspective.

You can book online at Chapungu Sculpture Park

You may have seen exhibitions or participated in workshops either at the Denver Botanic Gardens or in Loveland...Chapungu has also had exhibitions and workshops in England and across the US, but Loveland, Colorado is proud to claim them as "ours"...

If you aren't from Loveland, be sure to come and experience why we are received the Governor's Art Award for 2008--be sure to stroll our sculpture parks and see our many fine galleries!

Local Church Discovers Stained Glass Window

2009-05-01T07:34:00.000-06:00

I drove by a nearby church the other day on the way to a meeting. I noticed there were giving the old girl a facelift. Seems like I've been seeing that a lot lately.
I was in Denver a couple weeks ago and saw workers restoring a wonderful old Victorian. Driving through Loveland I saw at least three major restoration projects underway.

I love that people care enough to preserve these beautiful old buildings where are really works of art.

The local church announced today that during their restoration process they discovered a beautiful stained glass window. Possibly covered in 1914 when a pipe organ was installed…hiding the window…and with no records that the window was even there, it remained hidden until now. The theory is the window was covered to block sunlight and heat which would have come in through the window, possibly damaging the organ.

Art comes in so many forms…interesting that to preserve one piece of art (the organ) another was covered (the window)…it was deemed less important…so unimportant in fact that no record was kept of its presence.

Sometimes we treat our art as being less, or more, important than another art form. This story reminds me that all of our art has a place and deserves to be honored. That might create some challenges in how we can honor them all when it may appear that by doing so sets up a conflict.

Maybe that is when we (or someone else) can be most creative and by being aware of the beauty around us already and collaborating with it we can create something even better than our individual efforts would have been.

Stand By Me

2009-04-30T09:11:00.002-06:00

This is a wonderfully inspirational video...featuring street musicians from around the world. What a great way for a virtual band to form!

Enjoy...!

Performance Art in Antwerp Belgium

2009-04-22T15:56:00.002-06:00

This is a departure from my usual art themes...certainly from sculpture...but it is so fun I thought I should share!

Hope you enjoyed it!

Artists Websites and Art Resources Links Growing

2009-03-07T08:12:00.003-07:00

Be sure to check out the growing list of artists' website and art resources.

I will growing these lists as a service to my fellow artists...

I am a sculptor, however I started as a printmaker and my mother is a painter, so I'm not limiting my links to sculptors...

Let me know if you would like a link to this site, or if you can recommend someone that would be a good fit.

I'm excited at the possibilities here to help spread the word about great art and helping artists find the resources they need for creating and promoting their work...tools, marketing tips, etc.

Looking forward to hearing from YOU!

Benson Park Sculpture Garden Grows

2009-02-23T12:12:00.006-07:00

Seven new sculptures have been donated to Loveland, Colorado's Benson Park Sculpture Garden.

Installation of the new works is scheduled to occure in June with a dedication planned at 10am on Saturday July 11.

With these 7 pieces, the Garden grows to 130 pieces.

The new works are "Big Wish" by Linda Prokop, "In the Wind" by Jay Eighmy, "For on Alert II" by David Turner, "Cirque II" by Jack Kreutzer, "Cardiac Relief" by Nicholas Moffett, "Requiem for a Fallen Tree" by Don Rambadt and "Duet" by Jeff Laing.

The first six sculptures are bronze. "Duet" is stainless steel.

The sculptures are paid for from proceeds from the Sculpture in the Park show which happens each August. This year the show is August 8-9th.

For more information about the sculpture show, the dedication ceremony, contact the High Plains Art Council. Their phone number is 970-663-2940. Or visit their website which has a great map of the park, the history of the show and lots, lots more!

Chapungu Sculpture Park Free Guided Tours

2009-02-10T10:31:00.003-07:00

I got this information from my friends at the wonderful Chapungu Gallery...

They have the largest collection of Zimbabwean Sculpture in North America. An awesome collection. We are so fortunate to have it here in Loveland, Colorado.

Loveland is only 1 hour from Denver...if you are in the area, be sure to check it out. Take advantage of the wealth of knowledge that Roy Guthrie has to offer about the art and the people!

CHAPUNGU CONDUCTS SPECIAL SCULPTURE PARK TOUR ON VALENTINES DAY WITH ROY GUTHRIE

Chapungu is pleased to announce very special tours of Chapungu Sculpture Park every Saturday in February, March and April 2009. The exhibit of 82 monumental sculptures entitled, Chapungu: Stories In Stone-An African Perspective of Family is composed of eight sections displayed in 26 acres of natural and landscaped gardens. Two sections will be highlighted each Saturday.

The tours are FREE and start at 11:00am. All visitors to assemble at 10:45am on the east side of PF Changs and Biaggi's restaurants. Mr. Roy Guthrie will share his personal accounts of the individual artists; and their lives as well as their sculptures. Bottled water and hot chocolate will be provided to tour participants. Please note that Saturday February 14^th for Valentines Day the tour will include chocolate treats! Bring a loved one to tour the sections that weekend entitled The Family and The Children.

Chapungu Sculpture Park is adjacent to the Promenade Shops at Centerra, Sky Pond Drive, Loveland, CO 80538. Chapungu Warehouse and Gallery is now open on Saturdays from 10am-4pm at 1052 N. Boise Ave., Unit B, Loveland, CO. 80537 in addition to regular hours: Mon-Fri 9am-1.00pm.

For more information and directions please call 970-461-8020, or email kschroeder@chapungusculpturepark.com Also visit www.chapungusculpturepark.com

2009 Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships

2009-01-24T14:49:00.003-07:00

The quaint village of Breckenridge, Colorado hosts a fantastic sculptural event every year, the International Snow Sculpture Championships--hosted by Budweiser, the event is fun for the entire family with fantastic art created by masters from around the world.

Pieces range from whimsical and interactive, fantasy, traditional and contemporary.

The even began on Jan 20 this year and runs through February 1. The artists began carving the ice blocks on Tuesday the 20th at 11am and the carving ended today at 10 am when the judging commences. Awards are presented on Sunday at 3pm

Weather permitting, the sculptures remain standing through Feb. 1. Some years the sun is so strong (one of the great things about skiing in Colorado is our beautiful clear skies!) that the sculptures don't make it through to the end of the celebration, so go early if you can!

Leonardo Portrait Made From Nails

2009-01-18T15:19:00.007-07:00

Check this out! This guy is building this fabulous portrait of Leonardo --out of nails!

He first sketches the image out on the board and then using diameter heads and putting the nails in at different heights he achieves a stunning affect.

Katagami Sculpture

2009-01-07T07:23:00.000-07:00

An upcoming exhibition at the Longmont Museum, Longmont, Colorado sounds very intriguing! Combining stencil making and sculpture, Jennifer Falck Linssen makes paper sculptures from intricately carved stencils that she carves by hand. Her work is described as a marriage of traditional basket forms and pictorial katagami-style paper stencils.

Jennifer Falck Linssen: Beyond Katagami opens at the Longmont Museum on January 24 and runs through March 22. Linssen will present a lecture, "Under the Knife: Carved Paper Sculpture," on Wednesday, January 28 at 7 pm. Cost is $5. Members of Friends of the Longmont Museum are admitted free.

Downtown Denver Arts Festival

2009-01-06T19:07:00.003-07:00

The 11th Annual Downtown Denver Arts Festival will be held May 22-25, 2009 (Memorial Day Weekend).

The deadline to apply is Feb. 17, 2009.

This festival showcases the work of Colorado artists exclusively. Approximately 125 artists of various media exhibit at this outdoor show and over 150,000 visitors are expected to attend.

Go to the Downtown Denver Arts Festival website to learn more about the organization or to get an application.

Listen to Your Inner Voice

2009-01-03T12:49:00.002-07:00

Finding our passion, things that bring us joy is one of the best things we can do in this life.

I ran across this quote today and it really moved me so I want to share it:

My dad always used to say, "If you take a step and it feels good, you must be headed in the right direction." What he wanted us to understand was that we needed to measure our progress against an inner compass, using our feelings, our comfort level, and our knowledge of ourselves as the ultimate guide.

I've spent most of my adult life trying to hear that inner voice above the noise around me...It says softly that happiness is as simple as having something to look forward to in the morning...It says, in a low murmur I sometimes have to strain to hear, that now is the time to have fun.
~Linda Weltner, No Place Like Home

Let me remember to listen to (and hear) that inner voice as it reminds me to follow my bliss. Now is the time to HAVE FUN and get into the studio!!!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T12:24:00.003-07:00

To all my sculptor friends and the people who love art--

May 2009 be one of peace, prosperity and creativity!

To doing what we love, and being the people that we want to be, to living the lives that we want to achieve.

Sculpture From Zimbabwe

2008-12-24T09:45:00.007-07:00

There was another nice article in the Loveland Reporter-Herald today on our local Zimbabwe sculpture park and gallery, and the curator Roy Guthrie.

Unfortunately, the section of the paper (The Valley Window) where the article ran is not available online.

If you have not yet checked out the Chapungu Gallery or the sculpture park, be sure to go to some past blog posts--Roy is a wonderfully knowledgeable and giving man and the art work his gallery carries is of the highest quality. You could become a collector--Prince Phillip of England is, so you would be in fine company!!!

Here is a link to a post about the Sculpture Park
And click here to read about the Gallery and Warehouse!

You can also go right to the Chapungu website by clicking the link in the sidebar to the right, in Sculpture Sites I recommend!

Making Time for What Feeds My Soul

2008-12-20T10:51:00.005-07:00

Yesterday was an awesome day...the first day in a long time that I actually went into the studio.

Don't ask why. There are lots of "reasons"...but no good justification for it.

I kept telling myself that I was too busy. It takes a long time to carve a stone and I "didn't have time"... I had to focus on other tasks that were "more important"...what I was forgetting was that keeping myself happy is one of the most important things I can do in this life.

Lesson to self: remember to feed your soul and you will be fed for the rest of your life.

"African Bazaar" , Sculptures and Stone Available

2008-12-16T06:20:00.004-07:00

I heard from my friends at the Chapungu Gallery today...for all the stonecarvers out there, they have Springstone available in sizes up to 200 lbs.

For the first time in over two years, most of the Warehouse Gallery sculpture and all African Bazaar items are marked down by 25%.

This includes some beautiful work by Dominic Benhura, Amos Supuni, Arthur Fata, Royal Katiyo, Bernard Matemera and many other world famous artists.

Other items include batik products, beaded wire baskets, beaded Ndebele dolls, semi-precious stone eggs and paperweights as well as smaller stone sculptures in all of the beautiful stones of Zimbabwe starting at $5!

This offer is valid until December 19th for Warehouse Gallery items only.

Visit the warehouse location which houses the largest collection of Zimbabwean stone sculpture in North America. (1052 N. Boise Ave., Unit B, Loveland, CO.)

They are open 9-1pm M-Friday or by special appointment times, call 970-461-8020 to make appointments.

If you don't live in the Loveland area, they will send you images of these one of a kind sculptures to assist in your purchase.

For additional shopping, visit their online Gallery at www.chapungusculpturepark.com

Photo courtesy of Chapungu Warehouse Gallery

Gorgeous Sunrise

2008-12-13T07:33:00.002-07:00

This morning's sunrise was so gorgeous...rose clad clouds raced against a turquoise sky, past the fingers of evergreens and reflected in the icy ponds below.

Made me consider taking up painting!

Even then I don't know that it could be captured. Captured. That sounds like caging a wild thing...

A skilled painter perhaps could reflect the essence and bring the awe...For me, better to soak it all in and appreciate the beauty of it.

Hope for Change

2008-12-12T14:51:00.003-07:00

Do You Maquette?

2008-12-12T11:24:00.004-07:00

As a sculptor, do you make a maquette before moving to your final piece?

I know many sculptors who do...and just as many who do not.

For art lovers who may not know what I'm talking about, a maquette is a miniature version of what the piece will ultimately turn out to be. This miniature gives the artist an opportunity to work out in 3 dimensions poses, the flow of the piece...basically the composition of the work. Maquettes are frequently made from clay, even if the final piece is to be carved from stone.

Some sculptors will even have a maquette bronzed...to be clear, a maquette is not the same as having a small sculpture that the artist then chooses to enlarge.

Some sculptors make their maquette in full detail. Others make only a rough model, enough to give them the composition details.

Personally, when carving stone I rarely create a maquette. I was taught a drawing method...I will actually draw on paper and directly on the stone. For me this allow a more direct relationship with the stone and the flexibility to work with the stone as it is rather than forcing my maquette vision upon it.

That being said, there are times when I grab some clay in order to work out a particular flow or shape...but my maquettes are not things of beauty! They are more like gesture drawings...just enough for me to get the feel of where I want to go with a piece.

I'd love to hear from other sculptors if they do or do not create maquettes, why, and to what level of finish do they take their maquettes!

Stone Sculptor Ellen Woodbury

2008-12-11T07:49:00.001-07:00

I met Ellen Woodbury almost 3 years ago at a workshop taught by Collen Nyanhongo, a master stone sculptor from Zimbabwe. It was fun to get to know her and to see her work on her first stone.

Ellen is a fascinating, energetic, expressive person and her work reflects that. It also reveals her background as an animator for Disney, a position she held for 20 years! Ellen started her sculpting while still employed as an animator...like many sculptors she worked in clay.

So, while Jan. 2006 may have seen Ellen's first stone sculpture, she was no "newbie" in the art world. And it shows!

Ellen's work is simple and complex at the same time. Her pieces tell stories and engage the viewer.

We are fortunate to have Ellen call Loveland, Colorado home...come see her at the Sculpture in the Park show. She has exhibited there for the last two years--showing her stones--quite an accomplishment for a new medium!

Connecting with Other Sculptors

2008-12-10T06:23:00.004-07:00

Sculpting, for me at least, is a rather solitary experience. I typically am in my small studio by myself--me and a lot of rocks, that is!

So it was with great pleasure that I got a phone call inviting me to attend a meeting of a group of stone sculptors from our region.

It was a social event, and I got the opportunity to meet new people and catch up with friends I rarely see. We talked about lots of things--stones, tools, tips, studios, and even some topics not sculptural at all!

Check out your area to see if you have a group that you can meet with from time to time. It may be a group that is very specialized, like this one, or it may be broader to include all sculptors, or it may be a group for artists of all media. Any of these types of groups can be helpful for idea exchange, inspiration, tips and pointers, and friendship!

Sculpture In the Community

2008-11-23T09:06:00.000-07:00

More and more developers are discovering the value of including sculptures in their projects.

Recently I mentioned a local artist who has been commissioned to create sculptures for a project in Kansas.

Closer to home, Thompson Crossing, here in Loveland has created their own scupture walk. The area encompasses 40 acres of open space. The walk itself is 1-1/2 miles and runs through the neighborhood and down along the natural area, including the Big Thompson River.

The sculpture walk features 25 pieces of stone and bronze. Rather than sculptures of wildlife, Gary Hoover, president of Hartford Development Corporation, chose pieces that evoke thoughts and emotions. He combined the art with quotes which are engraved in stone with the goal of further provoking thoughts or touching the viewer.

In addition to the sculpture area, the walk has its nature area where the artwork is the flesh and blood wildlife that frequents it, such as fox, coyotes, ducks, geese and wild turkeys. Additionally there have been placed large boulders for seating so one can contemplate the river and enjoy the scene and sounds of nature.

Bruce Campbell, Creating Art from Discards

2008-11-22T09:29:00.000-07:00

Bruce Campbell is one of my favorite local artists. He never fails to impress, amaze and inspire me with this talent, creativity and unique approach to life and art.

Not only is Bruce a talented sculptor and painter, he combines these skills with a unique way to reuse old items.

My art is created using various combinations of welding, carving, painting and engraving on salvaged industrial forms. I've diverted countless tons of material from the waste stream, and hopefully I'm helping people see the beauty and value in so-called "junk". As an artist, I benefit from the unique shapes and odd details produced for functionality (my process is a collaboration with unknown people who were unaware they were creating sculpture) which are often improved by being dented, gouged or partially crushed. I also love the gorgeous surface patinas and textures created by the forces of time, the gradual reclamation of nature.

Walking around Bruce's studio is an eye-opening experience. Old fashioned washing machines sport new faces, huge tanks become kings and queens with curls fashioned from parts of water heaters.

Old wooden gates become mystical wall sculptures.

Figures seem to appear and disappear, morphing from one image to another.

Much of Bruce's art is conducive to outdoor display. Whether due in part to scale or because of the materials, exposure to the elements can further add to the works.

By combining "found steel" and other found objects with welding, engraving and painting, Bruce brings new life to items that otherwise would find themselves either in the landfill or recycled into some new gadget.

Bruce does more than keep thing out of the landfill and save our resources...Bruce catapults everyday items into fantastic sculptures that are sold and exhibited around the west.

Photograph "Envision", Sculpture and Photograph copyright Bruce Campbell

Phyllis Walbye

2008-11-21T07:44:00.001-07:00

It is with sadness that I report that Phyllis Walbye of Loveland, Colorado passed away this week.

Phyllis gave to her community for more than 3 decades. She and her husband George were part of the cornerstone of the arts community here.

Phyllis worked for the Loveland paper as the Arts and Entertainment Editor. She was also a writer and editor for the Valley Window magazine. She reviewed plays, movies and art events -- sharing her opinions and imbuing the readers with new appreciation for the fantastic arts we have here.

A founding member of the Loveland Visual Arts Commission in 1985 Phyllis was instrumental in developing the guidelines for the public art projects that now grace our city.

Now a permanent part of the community arts culture with an annual Rialto Theater film series inspired by her columns. The series began in 2001 and continues to this day.

But her opinions were not just appreciated by the local community -- even the LA Times was known to call for her opinions about upcoming Oscars.

Condolences to George and family. Phyllis made a huge impact on our community and she will be missed.

Students Make Bowls to be Filled

2008-11-20T09:25:00.000-07:00

I recently wrote about artists giving back to the community through the Empty Bowls program. Since then I have learned more about the program here in Loveland.

Several teachers contribute to this project, including art teachers Becky Fuchs and Anne McManus and French teacher Torie Fox. About 250 bowls are made by students at our local elementary, middle and high schools. In addition, professional potters contribute bowls.

All the bowls are auctions as a fund raiser for the Larimer County Food Bank.

In addition to this project, another elementary school's art teacher Tom Studholme says his students make 150-200 bowls. Van Buren Elementary holds an annual Empty Bowls soup dinner. They have been making bowls as a fundraiser for the Loveland non-profit House of Neighborly Service for 14 years!

Love Art But Can't Create It?

2008-11-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

I've talked to lots of people who love and appreciate art but say they just can't do it. "I'm not creative" is a phrase I hear quite often.

Phewy...not sure how to spell that, but you get my drift...

We are all CREATIVE, just in different ways! So if you love art but think you can't do it consider the possibility that maybe, just maybe you never gave yourself a chance.

Have you tried but never taken any lessons, just thought you'd be able to do it without any training? Did you try, maybe even with a good teacher, and expect to be a master at the first attempt?Or did you try a long time ago and think that because it has been so long, and you weren't "that good back then" that you are beyond hope? Or do you think that "art education" is only for full-time students, housewives or retirees?

None of those are true. If you really want to learn to be a better artist (and the wanting is key here) then take a class! And give yourself a break! You didn't learn to drive in a day, did you? Hmmmm, maybe that explains some of the folks I see on the roads lately!

And if you still are convinced you cannot be an artist (and who says you have to be "great" to enjoy it???) and/or you love art and want to participate some how--look to your city. Many cities and towns have programs that buy art as part of the cost of public buildings.

Contact your local government and see if they have a board or commission that has citizen members. I know in our area, the members are made up of a cross section of the citizenry. There are artists on the board, but most of the members are art lovers who may or may not be able to "draw a straight line"!

At Phipps Garden Center, a sculptor teaches working with marble ...

2008-11-18T08:27:00.000-07:00

At Phipps Garden Center, a sculptor teaches working with marble ...

There are other places to learn to work with marble, but it is always good to learn of places that teach and encourage working with this beautiful stone.

One beautiful place to learn about carving Marble is in the town of Marble, here in Colorado. The Marble Marble Symposium takes place every summer in this small town not far from Aspen.

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Salzburg Stone Sculpture Symposium

2008-11-17T07:14:00.000-07:00

I just read about a sculpture symposium in Salzburg...

This blog by one of the sculptor participants, Martin Lyttle, has some great photos. Check them out and see what a quarry looks like...and what sculptors look like (!)

A nice album of the experience including what people created as a result.

Think it would be nice to jet from one symposium to another, don't you?

Artists Start Young

2008-11-16T15:05:00.003-07:00

It is good to remember that a lot of artists start young. In our community where there is a lot of terrific art and talented artists who help support art in our youth by giving money, time and energy.

We see the benefit through increased creativity in our youth. Creativity has many different outlets, sometimes it is directly through these young people producing nice works of art themselves.

Sculpting is not a common medium for young people to pursue however. It is time-consuming and hard to teach in a typical high school environment. Here we are fortunate to have several schools offer courses that allow students to gain experience in this fantastic art form.

One shining example is a young man named Austin Weishel. Keep an eye on this young man. He is just 18 years old and has already been a participant in one of the big sculpture shows here in Loveland. Austin works in clay and also has done some pieces in stone.

Ironically, even though Loveland is home to many art foundaries, Austin was first exposed to the metal casting process while visiting his Grandparents in Prescott Valley, Arizona! Sometimes we have to leave home to actually see and appreciate what we have around us!

Keep up the good work, Austin--and to all the other young artists here in Loveland and around the world!

Shona Sculpture Exhibition in New Zealand

2008-11-13T17:28:00.004-07:00

The wonderful stone sculptors of Zimbabwe are having their 3rd annual exhibition at a winery in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. A gorgeous spot for exquisite work.

Louise and Bruce Stobart are originally from Zimbabwe and have created a special gallery, called Birdwoods Gallery. This gallery opened in 2005...and my visit to New Zealand was in 2000, so I have not actually been there, but the website tells their story and it looks like quite a nice place.

If I were nearer I would definitely pop in...somehow a flight from Colorado is not in the cards at the moment, but perhaps some of my Kiwi friends will go check it out and give me a report!

The Stobarts have no connection (as far as I know) to the director of the Chapungu Gallery here in Loveland, Colorado. I have met several of the sculptors and the director, as you know from earlier posts, and we have the wonderful gallery and sculpture park here to showcase this fantastic, expressive work. I'm pleased that the Shona work is having so many opportunities for exhibition around the world!

And if the treats for the eyes are not enough, you can get treats of another sort at the neighboring Summer Sweet Shop!

Gifts by Artists

2008-11-12T16:24:00.004-07:00

I get a wonderful catalog in the mail called Gaiam. They offered a special section in the copy I got in today's mail that is all about Fair Trade Gifts.

What an awesome way to support artists in other parts of the world--maybe from India or Bali...

No matter where these artists live by supporting them you can bring some beauty into your home (or give some to your loved ones) and you can be assured you are providing a fair price to the artisan!

And I found a way for you to save some money if you order by December 2!
Order presents and get free shipping! Click on the image and it will take you to the Gaiam online catalog! Look for the Free Trade section...they'll even take payment by PayPal now!

Or if you prefer, here's a coupon for 10% off your order--and it is good through Dec. 15!
Either way, happy shopping and save some money!

New Sites to View

2008-11-09T12:08:00.005-07:00

I ran across some sculptor friends on Facebook (I'm new to this whole part of the internet)--I've added them to my recommended sites list but check out their work.

Stalin Tafura is a native of Zimbabwe. He comes from a family of stone sculptors. I have had the privilege of working with both he and his mother, Agnes Nyanhongo. Strong, elegant lines that at once reflect and break away from the family style. This young man is proving himself an excellent craftsman as well as unique artist.

Lorri Acott-Fowler works in clay and in bronze. Long legged images that provoke feelings of exploration, peace & harmony. Lorri brings a thoughtfulness to her work which is often filled with joy and light--not to be confused with being unsubstantial!

Appreciating Beauty in the Moment

2008-11-08T06:51:00.003-07:00

This morning gave me a wonderful gift--a gorgeous sunrise. It (almost) made me wish I were a painter!

Bands of pink and blue spread out over the pasture and ponds, filtered by the pine trees.

Thank you world/Universe/nature/God for giving us such beauty, and for the gift of being able to appreciate it!

Artists Give Back through Empty Bowls

2008-11-07T18:29:00.004-07:00

Empty Bowls events happen around the country and are a great way for people to help the less fortunate.

Proceeds typically go to a Food Bank, soup kitchens or other source of food for people who can use a little help.

What makes these events different is that there are actual pottery bowls given to those who attend the event. The bowls are made by local artists, students and professionals. It is away for them to help bring awareness to the needs of others.

By making and providing the empty bowls, they give others the opportunity to fill them.

So check out the non-profit group Empty Bowls and learn more about their efforts to end hunger. This project started in 1990 and has since raised millions of dollars to help feed people. Find an Empty Bowl event near you--and take home a bowl!

Artist-in-Residence Program

2008-11-06T18:45:00.003-07:00

Rocky Mountain National Park is a gorgeous place just down the road a bit from me. Today it was announced that they are accepting applications for their 2009 summer Artist-in-Residence program.

Applications are due by Dec. 1, 2008.

Painters, photographers, sculptors, composers and poets are among the artists who have participated in this program.

The participants give two public presentations as part of the program. They stay for two weeks at the William Allen White cabin. In exchange for the privilege of staying in the cabin, artists are requested to donate a piece that is representative of their stay. The piece is to be donated within one year of participation.

Sounds like a wonderful experience!

To read more about the program or to download a brochure and/or application, go to the Rocky Mountain National Park website.

I Love Horses

2008-11-05T12:12:00.003-07:00

And sculptures of horses!

I recently read about Pat Kennedy, another one of our talented Loveland, Colorado sculptors. He created a sculpture of 6 horses galloping through the landscape at the entrance to a development in Kansas City, Kansas.

Matt Adam is the developer of the project and he is convinced that the sculptures have enhanced the project greatly--even during this economy the lots are selling ahead of schedule.

Because of this, Matt has commissioned Pat to create another piece featuring horses. This piece represents a mare and twin foals.

The pieces are gorgeous and reflect the love between animals and the freedom and joy that we feel when we see horses--and we at least imagine that they feel!

The Horses are Back

2008-11-03T17:17:00.003-07:00

I live across from a hay field. It is so beautiful and quite inspiring for an artist. There is a small pond where the birds like to congregate. I enjoy watching the farmer work the land.

My favorite time is when the horses are here. They come down from the mountains to spend the winter. Well, my friends are back.

Driving down the road and seeing 30 or so horses grazing near my house with the glorious Rocky Mountains in the background--what a blessing that is. It really does take my breath away.

So, this may not be an "art" post, it is certainly a post of gratitude and inspiration and that is what leads to my art in the long run!

Environmentally Friendly Art

2008-10-10T09:41:00.000-06:00

Being environmentally friendly is important to a lot of industries.

For one artist, his steel sculpture which is petrochemical and VOC free, not only is environmentally friendly in and of itself, it symbolizes the changes made in the industry that commissioned the work.

Mark Leichliter took two years to create a 25 foot tall sculpture that represents classic symbols for electricity (lightning bolts) and water (rain drops). These two pieces now adorn the City of Loveland's Service Center--the home of the Water and Power departments.

The artist admits there were other options that would have been even more environmentally friendly, but they would not have stood up to the strenght and durability requirements that are also emblematic of water and power.

In addition to the sculptures, Xeriscape gardens will be planted and portland-cement-based stucco for finishing the walls that embrace the sculptures, all designed to lower the impact on the environment.

Art Education Helps Students Learn

2008-10-09T14:14:00.003-06:00

The Colorado Council on the Arts commissioned a study recently to assess the impact of arts education on students.

What they found may surprise people who think art isn't important for academics or for success in careers later.

In fact, students who study art do better on tests such as the Colorado Student Assessment Program in reading, writing and science. Students who take arts classes are also less likely to dropout.

Classes in the arts teach students to think creatively--and talk to the folks in Human Resources at companies and that is exactly the kind of employee they are looking for!

Bottom line, arts education has a positive effect on students overall, while in school and later in life.

Artistic Realization Technologies

2008-10-06T16:11:00.007-06:00

I read about this in the Hometown Hero, published in American Profile. It is such an incredible story it gave me goose bumps!

Tim Lefens visited a residential rehabilitation center 16 years ago in New Jersey. The purpose of the visit was to show his art to the residents. What happened changed his life and the lives of many of the residents.

These residents have limited control over their limbs, but upon seeing the excitement in their eyes, Tim was determined to teach them how to paint.

Out of this visit and Tim's determination, Artistic Realization Technologies was born. This non-profit organization now has more than 20 programs in the US and provides instruction and assistance to artists with severe disabilities so they can create paintings, sculptures, photography and music. Part of the initial funding was provided by artist Roy Lichtenstein.

The artists have an assistant, called a tracker, who actually applies the paint to canvas, directed by the artist who wears a headband with a laser. The artist directs the laser on the canvas and the tracker then applies the paint. The artist also indicates the colors to be used, the type and amount of texture and the size and shape of brush.

These artists have the vision and with A.R.T.'s help they have the ability to bring the vision to fruition. Tim compares their experience to those of an architect who comes up with the design and then directs the builder so the end result meets the architect's vision.

Many of these artists exhibit in major galleries and sell their works--the former Governor of NJ Christine Whitman has purchased a piece by one of the ART artists.

A.R.T. has been featured on the news and is partnered with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Tim has written a book, Flying Colors, about creating A.R.T. Go to the A.R.T. website and check out the work.

Chapungu Gallery Update

2008-10-03T09:50:00.000-06:00

The Sculpture Park is still at the Promenade Shops at Centerra, however the Chapungu Gallery has consolidated and moved to their warehouse location.

Visit the park when you are east of Loveland and see the fantastic monumental pieces from Zimbabwe. You can even arrange for guided tours by calling 970-461-8020 or emailing kschroeder@chapungusculpturepark.com

The gallery also has a new number, call 970-624-0000. The warehouse and gallery location is 1052 N. Boise Ave, Loveland, Colorado.

At this new location which is much more spacious you find the largest collection of hand-carved stone sculptures from Zimbabwe to be found in North America. Tools and stones to carve are also available for students and experienced carvers.

Roy Guthrie represents over 300 Zimbabwean sculptors in his gallery. Their mission is to promote the beauty of Africa through art exhibitions, workshops, sales and documentation.

Daniel Glanz Sculpture

2008-10-02T09:22:00.002-06:00

Daniel Glanz is a wonderful sculptor of nature. His bronzes run from domesticated animals like the family dog and horses on the farm to birds, bears, "big cats" and other wildlife.

I like how he captures the essence of the animal without getting caught up in copying every single hair. So while the work is definitely realistic, it is far from taxidermy! Rather, it is a beautiful, moving, sensitive representation of the feeling of the animal--their mood, personality and movements.

Like many artists, marketing is not his favorite thing. He hopes that people will "discover" his work. It is worth discovering. See his portfolio on his website. His pieces vary in size from tabletop to monumental.

Glanz will do works on commission--and he could be just the artist you are looking for to memorialize your four legged family member.

Another Talented Artist

2008-09-29T10:43:00.000-06:00

I met Eugene Tanski at the big Loveland Sculpture Invitational several years ago. A retired plastic surgeon, Dr. Tanski now focuses on artwork.

Not that he started after he retired--he actually started drawing as a child during a bout of polio.

This artistic talent was a great benefit to someone in his field. I would certainly want my plastic surgeon to be an artist--if not in painting or any of the traditional "plastic arts"--at least at mending my body and minimizing scars.

Gene is an independent artist, not feeling he has to ascribe to any one style of medium. His pieces often resonate with a deep spiritual side.

His photography and sculptures are often very abstract. Even his more traditional, realistic shots have an abstract quality to them. He is influenced by cultures around the world. In some pieces a strong Japanese influence is evident, in others pieces more of a Native America or African or modern European bent is present.

Art on Loan

2008-09-28T09:32:00.000-06:00

Many people are familiar with art on loan to a museum. There is typically a nice sign by the piece or exhibition, citing who has generously lent the piece. The lender may be the artist or, more frequently, a collector.

Artists can often lend their art to their community as well. This is a win-win situation for both artist and community as well as the citizens.

This sort of program saves cities and towns money because rather than buying the works, they typically pay for moving the piece(s), set up and insuring the work. This is a benefit to the artist because their work is viewed by more people, and they get the sense of pride of contributing something to their community. And the citizens benefit because they get the opportunity to see pieces they might otherwise miss.

My city of Loveland, Colorado is considering a sculpture loan program which would be administered through our Visual Arts Commission. I'm looking forward to this new addition to our wonderful City of the arts!

Stone Monuments

2008-09-27T09:00:00.000-06:00

I've long been a fan of cemeteries. Even before I ever carved a stone, I enjoyed looking at the different headstones and monuments.

I was fascinated by the stories I read on the headstones, and those I imagined, and in awe at the incredible carvings out of stone.

Don't overlook your local Monument Works as a source for beautiful art. Many will create pieces for your home, not just your burial plot. We have a company in Greeley (The Greeley Monument Works) that has been in business for over 100 years and they have an entire portfolio of pieces they have created for gardens.

Whether you want a piece to remember a loved one who passed or just want a nice piece for your garden, keep these craftsmen in mind when you are looking for options.

Glass Art of Kathy Bradford

2008-09-26T08:47:00.000-06:00

Kathy Bradford carves glass. Not with a hammer and chisel like I carve stone, but it is indeed carved. She uses sandblasting to get the depth, detail and beauty in her work.

Just like carved stones, each piece is unique. She does not utilize any computers to aid her. She draws each design and carves them all by hand--and sand!

This Colorado artist is nationally recognized. She is commissioned on a regular basis by builders and architects who want to use her art in their structures.

The famous Stanley Hotel has a door which boasts Bradford's carved art. New York City's Russian Tea Room features 10 panels etched by Bradford in the ballroom with dancing bears and another panel on the main floor featuring Moscow.

Carved or etched glass is not the only work she does--she works in glass in just about any way you can imagine. From stained glass to slumped and fused glass, she can take this fragile medium and make exquisitely beautiful art from it.