I loved the excitement of going away for my sophomore year of college at Seattle Pacific College. My roommate, Cindy and I traveled to many places in and around Seattle but I never made it to San Juan Island. All these years later, I am vicariously discovering the island and it's iconic Lime Kiln Lighthouse thanks to a piece commissioned by Dianne Root.

Dianne and her family chose an image of San Juan Island State Park, a place that holds  sweet memories for her family and her parents, Mary Ann and Andy McDonnell. 

It's the largest piece I have worked on to date. Made from discarded clothing and household textiles, it will contain dozens of unknown stories of the people who made the textiles, and used them. Also wound throughout the image's rocks, water, lighthouse and sky will be the stories connected to the textiles from the Root family. Dianne has sent me sweaters and shirts from her mother, who has passed away, collars from beloved pets, her children's baby blanket and dad's handkerchief. 

Follow along with me as the story of the Lime Kiln Lighthouse on San Juan Island emerges strip by strip and fold by fold. 

The town is buzzing with guests from around the world. Cheyenne Frontier Days is the largest outdoor rodeo in the world. The rodeo also boasts one of the most prestigious western art shows in the United States. In its 43rd year, the show's curators handpick artists from around the nation. Each artist is allowed to enter 4 pieces of art that portray the west. 2023 is my 5th year exhibiting. The opening reception is a night to meet the artists, potential buyers, local dignitaries and don't forget yummy food! 
The show continues till August 13th at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum located at 4610 Carey Ave. 

Blue Door Arts will have a whole new show for the July 7th​ Cheyenne Artwalk.! Tim will be displaying his works with a western flair and Glenda will be adding splashes of bright colors and patterns! There will be an artists' reception where you'll have the opportunity to meet this talented and engaging artistic duo. 

Cheyenne artist, Tim Haley will be exhibiting his paintings at Blue Door Arts for the month of June and July. June's show will feature Tim's work that explores many of the social issues we face in today's world. Tim will be switching it up for rodeo month with work inspired by the West.
June's show opens on the 2nd from 5-8pm with an artist's reception and a one-man-band. July's reception will be during the Cheyenne Artwalk on the 7th.  

This Friday is the next Cheyenne Artwalk and it promises to be a good one. First, my guest artist, Kim Shaver will be demonstrating how she makes her sturdy and beautiful baskets. Kim harvests willow branches from her parents ranch outside of Centennial WY, then weaves them into baskets of all kinds in her home studio in Laramie WY. 
Next, you'll enjoy the bluegrass beat of local band, Bonomo while taking in the art, refreshments and general FUN! 
See  you on Friday from 5-8 !

Last month I was at Jerry's Artarama in Fort Collins. Dave was hunting a bottle of Teal Golden Acrylic paint. I was just poking around when I saw a display card for 3 Square Art gallery in Fort Collins. The next call for entry was a landscape show. I had never heard of this gallery so I went online to see if it looked like a good place to display work. I was impressed with their look and professionalism. So...I entered three pieces for the Jury. Two pieces got accepted. Yeah!
I got a chance to look at the show yesterday and was impressed with the quality, variety of styles and interpretations. The owners, Kumiko and Craig McKee, are dedicated to quality shows and creating a place for regional artists to meet and grow professionally. 
The Landscape show is on display till April 7th. If you are in the area take a minute to see the exhibition. You will enjoy it and touring the building that also houses 27 artists' studios. And, oh yes, my piece, Thunderhead over Happy Jack Rd won the Gold award. Yeah again! 

 ​I am an East coaster gone West. I grew up in Buffalo NY, spent some time in the deep South, then moved to Atlanta and finally Cheyenne Wyoming. I traveled West with artistic angst. What would my voice in the West be? I’d been working with natural materials and themes unique to the South. I had no feeling or aptitude for the figure or animals so bison and cowboys were out. What was left? The landscape! Driving towards Cheyenne that first November, I struggled to describe what I was seeing. Few trees, brown hills, vast horizons and giant skies. What was this foreign country? The phrase, “Undulating hills of brown suede,” floated into my consciousness. Little did I know that textiles would become my medium and voice to interpret Wyoming’s fascinating geology and unique landscape.

 15 years later, I am still using textiles to make work about this land that has become my home. I have traveled to many interesting places in the West and met many unique Westerners. In recognition of this, I will be showing my work influenced by Wyoming's geology and featuring a few of those unique and friendly people I have met! If you are in Cheyenne during the months of March and April, I hope you will stop by Blue Door Arts located in Downtown Cheyenne and say hello!  

Billings Montana is lucky to have the Yellowstone Art Museum commonly known as the YAM. The museum brings in thought provoking exhibits, community events and arts education. This December I got to see the outstanding exhibition, Remember Me by Jane Waggoner Deschner. I've seen articles about her work so when I got to see this instillation in person, I has intrigued and haunted by it. Hundreds of old headshots stitched over with embroidered text taken from obituaries made up the bulk of her work. In addition Deschner, created instillations portraying domestic life that dotted the galleries.

I believe that the presence of art and artists in a community is important. I'm happy to support my local museums and those like the YAM that are several hours away from Cheyenne. I first got connected to YAM through their annual art auction. Last year I had a piece accepted and this year I applied and got a piece accepted again. It's a large, well run auction that I'm proud to be apart of! They even have an online component so people across the country can bid. Stay tuned for that link to the auction for a chance to bid on Darkening Skies- Guiding Lights or any of the other wonderful artists represented. 

 If you live in Cheyenne and walk past my downtown studio window, over the last 4 months you've seen a large piece of artwork grow inch by inch. It was a commissioned piece for Dawn and Shannon Widdicombe of Billings Montana. The reference photo was of the majestic Crazy Mountains in Montana. When I create a commissioned piece of art one of the cool things my clients can do is send me meaningful textiles to include in the piece. Although it was worn and frayed, Shannon reluctantly contributed her lucky yellow, pinwale corduroy gambling shirt. I used it extensively in the foreground but saved a bit to give back to her. Shannon now has a lucky gambling pocket! As I used textiles they sent me, I would drape them over the easel so they could see what and where they were being used. 
After 96 hours of creative challenge, the piece was completed. I was very pleased with the final results and more importantly so where Dawn and Shannon! They were a pleasure to work with. Thank you and enjoy your piece!