The Painted Violin

The Painted Violin is a fundraiser for the Denver Youth Orchestra.  Each year, chosen artists are given a "retired" violin to paint/decorate as they wish.  This is my version that I am finally able to share with everyone.

The grand unveiling of this season's collection was last Friday at Gallery 1261 in Denver, CO.  The violins then travel to different galleries each month until next spring, when they are auctioned off to the highest bidder. 

Here I am with my violin, which is called "September Song."  I painted the violin and then attached painted leaves cut out of watercolor paper.  On the back, I painted a fall scene with golden aspen leaves.

I hope it can sell for a generous amount to benefit the Denver Youth Orchestra.  

The aspens are turning golden in the high country right now - always a gorgeous time in Colorado.  Here's a shot I took last weekend while showing all my visiting cousins the beautiful colors.

Westminster CO Workshop

This is the group of talented artists and I had the pleasure of teaching at my latest workshop in Westminster.  There were beginning artists and many with years of experience.  What they all eagerly learned were my methods and techniques for creating abstract mixed media paintings.

Sponsored by the North Metro Arts Alliance, organizer Becky Silver made sure there was a well stocked table of snacks, and that our every need was taken care of. The first evening, Becky invited everyone to her gallery, AAR RIVER GALLERY, where we enjoyed a lovely dinner and relaxed with a glass (or two) of wine . Two days of cloudy, damp weather finally gave way to a beautiful sunny day with views of the Front Range of the Rockies.

I'm always so delighted when students put their new knowledge to work to produce some very attractive mixed media pieces.

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And there were many, many more beautiful paintings that I didn't get to photograph.

For more information on my upcoming workshops, click here to go to my website.

This month is crazy.

In case you're wondering if I fell off a cliff, or something, no I'm still around.  I tried to cram in too much stuff in too small a time slot.
Last weekend I was as an art fair, the Colorado Artfest at Castle Rock.  It was ideal weather conditions, but it seems like most people are holding on to their wallets pretty tightly lately.

I sold 5 paintings, two of which were large works, so I'm not complaining.  Last year at this show, however, I sold 17 paintings.  That's what the economic turmoil is doing to artists.  After all, people buying art have all their other bills taken care of.

NEW WORLD

RED CONNECTION

These are the two larger works that sold.  The lower one was part of my new series which will feature abstracted tree forms.

Wish I could show you some new work, but I have been busy getting ready for a three day workshop that starts tomorrow in Westminster, CO.  After that, I can take a deep breath and maybe even paint a little.