Cuppa Mona Lisa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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.