Durango Arts Center artist's reception: Durango Blooms!

Durango in Bloom!

Yesterday was the artist's reception for the Durango Art Center's month-long exhibit of floral art.  As I'd mentioned in a previous post, this was the first time I've ever been part of a juried show, so attending the reception as one of the included artists was a novelty, and quite fun!

These DAC show receptions are always well-attended, and this one was no exception.  I had the pleasure of meeting some new artists and conversing with a few others I've met before.  Gallery rules prohibit photography of the artworks, but I thought I'd have no problem soliciting individual artists for photos of them beside their work to share on the blog, and I was indeed correct.

My painting "Family Gathering"

Here are few of Durango's fine artists and their works.  I wish I could have gotten more, as there was an amazing amount of wonderful work in all media that I would have loved to share.

Pat Smiley with her beautiful pastel painting "Tenderness", which won the pastel award for the show

I first met Pat a couple of months ago when we were hanging the DAC Member's Show, and she is part of the plein air group I plan to go out with on Fridays.  She also works in oils, but not surprisingly, pastel is her medium of choice.

Kathleen Shepard with her two paintings, L-R, "Hope (for Nathan)" and "Lady Slipper Dance".   

Kathleen explained to me the time-consuming process she uses to create these Art Nouveau-inspired mixed-media arts (colored pencil and pen (l), and pen and marker (r)), which includes the use of blueprint paper for the originals.  The photo doesn't show the detail in these paintings, but you can see the fancy matwork on the larger painting - done by her husband who owns a frame shop in town.

Sue Giddings and her lovely watercolor "Garden Symphony"

This was one of my favorite pieces in the show, and not surprisingly, won the watercolor award.  Sue has been painting watercolor for years, but since her recent retirement, she's been able to devote more time to her artwork, and is having more work accepted into juried shows as well.

Eric Pahlke and his two photographs, top to bottom:  "Tulip and More" and "A Daffodil Among Us"

Eric and I worked the wine table from 7-9, and as photographers, we spent the time chatting about everything photography.  Like me, he's also a member of the Durango Camera Club, and like me, he often forgets to go to the meetings.  He shot these two colorful photographs of flowers in a glass vase against a sheet of black velvet with natural light and minimal PP.

It was a fun evening, and the reception also coincided with the monthly Gallery Walk, and with absolutely perfect weather, it was a great evening to be out in town viewing artwork in various venues!

Thank you Pat, Kathleen, Sue and Eric for allowing me to use these images of you and your work for my blog!  If you'd like a copy of the photo, please email me and I'd be happy to send you the file.