SavagePainter

Hope for a Community

2011-12-08T07:08:00.005-07:00

I have lived in Fort Collins for over a decade now and feel like I now have a fairly good understanding of the pulse of the Northern Colorado art scene. We have unique community that thrives on a vibrant cultural landscape but when it comes to the visual arts, I have seen a disparity. I have been showing in Fort Collins since 2001 at galleries, fundraisers, restaurants and cafes while also becoming involved in public art. I am always happy to see the outpouring of support and hear the true appreciation of the viewing audience, however the sale of my artwork here is often secondary or non-existent.

After getting used to this, the first time I had my artwork at the Art Students League of Denver Summer Art Market, I was shocked at the outright demand for art and quantity of sales. This opened my eyes. In recent years, I have been looking with a more critical eye at sales on a national level and people who have always purchased at a higher price point are still doing so today. I read a newsletter from the executive director of Anderson Art Ranch. She had just returned form Art Basel Miami and reported that “the $50,000+ art sold well, while the lesser value work did not sell.” Last month, I attended a workshop and gallery opening in California with renowned artist, Jeremy Lipking. At his art opening in Santa Monica, I saw his newest piece priced at $59,000 and many of his contemporaries where also selling at prices much higher than our local average. Frankly, it was inspiring to see people my own age creating such high quality artwork and seeing some serious price tags.

The artists that I know in the Northern Colorado region who are “making it” are either creating true high quality work and selling in multiple locations nationally and/or they are diversifying their skill set. The idea of dropping your work off at a gallery and waiting for the checks to roll in doesn’t play here. Our full-time artists seek out commissions; teach private lessons, classes, workshops; sell online at daily painter sites, Ebay and Etsy; travel to larger national arts festivals with a fine arts focus; and engage in public art projects. The reality is that traditional gallery sales are often a small percentage of what makes up the local artist’s viable income.

Looking forward, similar to what SpokesBuzz is doing to retain the musical talent in our region, I hope that those artists who are creating high quality art here will help to raise the bar locally rather than simply move to another community that has a stronger gallery scene. The end result would be not just a thriving art scene, but also a thriving art market.

Southwest Glow

2011-11-20T15:40:00.003-07:00

Just finished this commission for a local guy who wanted a special birthday present for his girlfriend. They love the drive from Loveland down to Santa Fe- the golden southwest light and buttes, in particular. This is a fun locale right outside of Santa Fe and the clouds were especially fun to paint.

Saying Yes

2011-11-08T18:01:00.004-07:00

I hadn't had a big show in over a year and I jokingly told people that 2010 was my "Year Of No" because I din't feel like I had enough time due to planning our wedding, a new job and a new house. This attitude carried over into 2011 and I finally realized that there will never be enough time and just started saying "yes" to things again. In the last couple of months I have said yes to a group art show, an art auction, a painting workshop in California and a mural for a local business. I sold 2 pieces at the Legacy Land Trust Art for Conservation Show and gained 2 commissions in the last week. I am definitely back at it. In full force. The SavagePainter returns!

Here's another new one in my group show up at COCOA Gallery all month- "The Art Teacher" 16x20 oil.

Back at the Easel

2011-11-02T21:33:00.002-06:00

It's been quite a while since I painted a non-commissioned painting. Feels good to be back at it. "Memoire" 16x20 oil on canvas.

Working With Wood

2011-08-14T06:47:00.002-06:00

I am inspired! I had the good fortune of winning a scholarship to attend Anderson Art Ranch in Aspen, CO for a week-long workshop entitled "Making Objects With Reclaimed Timbers" taught by artist and master woodworker, Brad Reed Nelson. Working with the time and intensity like I have not had since college, I gained the confidence to use large woodworking machinery such as a planer, joiner, band saw, table saw, etc. Most of my class continued on to create beautiful furniture pieces. I ended up turning to the fine arts route and became enamored with the idea of this pose hand carved, burned and painted in the wood.

What emerged was my first sculptural piece I have done in about 13 years. My plan is to work with Ryan Baldwin, a local woodworker who works with reclaimed urban timbers, to source the wood slabs for a whole new range of work within this style. I am back in the studio with a whole new focus and loving it! Look for more works in this style soon.

"Emerge", Mixed Media on Reclaimed Timber

2 New Paintings for Family

2011-07-30T14:38:00.003-06:00

Finally finished some long overdue commissions for family. Here is a still life I did for my brother's Italian friend. The other portrait is of my godparents' oldest and his grandchild.

Hiatus

2011-05-07T07:14:00.002-06:00

So this is what happens when you get engaged, plan a wedding, get married, take on a new full-time job and buy a fixer-upper house all in one year. Art takes the back-burner. I am committed to finishing up with some long overdue commissions and then will be back to doing personal work in 2012.

Lovin' the Landscapes

2010-06-11T06:27:00.002-06:00

Living in Baltimore, I never painted landscapes. Now that I am officially a woman of the wild west big sky country, I have embraced them. Here is one of many landscapes that I will be showing at the Art Students League of Denver Summer Art Market this Saturday and Sunday 10-5. If you are in the Denver area, come visit me at booth #18!

New Commission

2010-05-16T09:10:00.002-06:00

I just finished this latest commission for a repeat patron. I had a lot of fun painting the water and the composition has a lovely sense of mystery to it. I put it on display at this month's First Friday Art Walk and had another lady offer to buy it.

Transformers

2010-04-23T00:02:00.003-06:00

A lot of folks are asking me if I am doing a transformer cabinet this summer and I have decided not to...because I am getting married instead! The date is set for July and I want to de-stress and keep it simple this summer- just good times with family and friends. So here is a picture of my completed cabinet from 2009 in Loveland during one of this season's last snow storms. I look forward to applying again next summer!

Balance

2010-04-22T23:50:00.003-06:00

So it has been quite a while since the last time I posted anything. I have realized that if I accept the fact that I will never be perfectly balanced with work, art, love, and life, then I am more at peace with the way my life is progressing. Some recent developments- I have been teaching some private painting lessons in my studio and it has been incredible to see the growth and experimentation happening on their easels week by week. I have also been my taking uninstructed portrait classes weekly and am enjoying the challenge of a new face each time.

Long Afternoon

2010-02-21T20:00:00.005-07:00

This is a larger piece that I just finished measuring 36 x 30" that I named "Long Afternoon". I wanted to push the great late day shadows while playing with the diminishing perspective. I dressed my model all in blue with a vintage look and a wistful expression to create an open-ended story for the viewer.

Four Women

2010-02-21T19:47:00.003-07:00

These are four women I painted during the past four weeks at my portrait group. Each presented a unique challenge. The model in the top left had such light eyes that I found it hard to find the balance between correctly defining them and losing them next to the background. The model in the top right was also a local artist and she smiled and chatted with the other painters through a lot of the pose, constantly changing her expression through out the evening.

The bottom two models were girlfriends of mine. With the painting of my friend Dannah on the bottom left, I felt like I was worrying over all of the tiny details of her face trying to get it just right since I knew her so well. My friend Jackie with the glasses was also a challenge as I tried to figure out whether to paint the face and eyes first then add the glasses later, or to paint it all at once as I saw it.

Along with the camaraderie of painting with so many other great artists, the weekly challenges and measured success that I have experienced is what keeps me coming back week after week.

Painting Friends

2010-02-21T19:32:00.002-07:00

This was a portrait I painted of my friend, Brandton. He dressed up in his girlfriend's knee high striped socks and some of the artists in my portrait group were inspired to do a full body painting. I chose to focus on his fun ears and face shape.

Muses

2009-12-13T16:20:00.004-07:00

There are so many wonderful, beautiful, amazing women in my life that I feel so fortunate to be able to call friends. All of these women are also my willing models and I am constantly inspired by their unique looks and personalities. This is one of three paintings that I am working on of my friend, Dannah. Her sweet face was just perfect for this idea of hanging stars in a secret garden. When the late afternoon light hit her face, I knew we had a winner. "Secret Garden" 12 x 16 oil.

New Painting for Newlyweds

2009-11-30T07:24:00.003-07:00

Here are the newlyweds in front of their new painting that I created in honor of their wedding day. I was honored to have it so prominently displayed at their rehearsal dinner.

Back to the Basics

2009-11-24T07:53:00.002-07:00

The sketchbook that I use is stuffed with hastily scribbled notes about ideas for paintings, to do lists, small thumbnail sketches and quick draw figure poses. As far as fully finished fine art drawings go, I really don't have much as of lately. I didn't have a canvas ready for my Wednesday portrait group, so I just threw a sketchbook and some pencils in my pack and decided to draw. This is my first fine art drawing after many years and it felt good to get back to the basics.

Art Mafia

2009-10-29T17:44:00.004-06:00

There is a portrait group in Fort Collins that is invite-only. I heard about it when I moved here 8 years ago. At the Estes Park Plein Air show, I ended up chatting with Sam Thieves, the artist who started this group over a decade ago. He called me up and invited me to join this month and I have been thoroughly enjoying myself amongst the other professionals. I feel like I joined the elite "art mafia". I was glad there were no initiation rites.

A Special Gift

2009-09-23T08:21:00.002-06:00

My fantastic godparents commissioned me to make a wedding present for their son and daughter-in-law. They are getting married under a tree on their family's property in Pennsylvania next month. This is the view of their land and future home.

New Mural

2009-09-09T21:09:00.002-06:00

I just started my new transformer cabinet mural in Loveland, CO. This one will be entitled "Creative Chaos". I painted for 7 hours straight today and completed the front side. Only 28 more hours to go...

Estes Park Plein Air 2009

2009-08-30T11:39:00.002-06:00

"En plein air" is a French expression which means "in the open air", and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors. Although my primary mode of painting is from photos in the studio, I do enjoy getting out into the elements and challenging myself with plein air artwork. I was one of 60 artists chosen for this year's Estes Park Plein Air competition and it had some of the most talented plein air artists I have seen from around the country. I felt fortunate to be in the same gallery as these seasoned artists and enjoyed working alongside them for the 90-minute Quick Draw competition. Here is a photo of the crowds at the live auction of works from the Quick Draw. My painting "Lily By The River" sold told a lovely patron who watched the painting be created from start to finish.

Painting Classes

2009-08-23T19:14:00.005-06:00

I have just kicked off my first round of "Intro to Oil Painting" workshops and am taking reservations for my weekly painting class on Thursday nights from 6-8pm. My first students did a great job and it was so fun to see the excitement in the eyes of new oil painters. Here are my paintings done from the still lifes- "Pepper and Clementines" 8x10 and "Just a Slice" 8x10. My next beginner "Intro to Oil Painting" workshops will be 9/20 from 12:00-3:00 and 9/23 6:00-9:00pm. Want to learn how to paint in a fun encouraging environment? Then sign up for my next workshop!

Estes Park Plein Air

2009-08-23T18:59:00.009-06:00

I am joining 60 artists from around the country for the annual Estes Park Plein Air competition this upcoming weekend. We had two weeks to paint artwork in a 50 mile radius of the Rocky Mountain National Park. This Saturday we will be painting in front of a crowd of a few hundred people at the Quick Draw event. We'll paint live for 90 minutes from 8:30-10am. Our work will be judged and then auctioned off in downtown Estes Park at 11am. It's always nerve-wracking but equally exciting and I look forward to the challenge. "Sky High" 12x16, "Roadside Attraction" 9x12, "This Too Shall Pass" 12x16.

In The News

2009-07-26T12:20:00.002-06:00

I just finished my "Lost My Marbles" mural. The local paper, The Coloradoan, did a front page story about the Transformer Cabinet Mural Project and my picture and quote were the central feature! Here is a link to the article:

http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990720001

Lost My Marbles

2009-07-09T22:43:00.000-06:00

I have started my next public art commission- another electrical cabinet at a major intersection in Fort Collins (Mason/Mulberry). My concept is to make the right cabinet look like a glass mason jar spilling out a slew of colorful marbles. I'm feeling pretty pleased with the first few days of being on the site. The funniest part of this job is that there are so many people who drive and walk past me that I have a hard time focusing. On my first day of painting, people whistled and honked at me, two boys approached my scaffolding and asked if they could pray for me, and I had numerous pedestrians inquire what the heck I was doing. And this is only the beginning...

Summer Art Market 2009

2009-07-05T21:30:00.002-06:00

The Summer Art Market at the Art Students League of Denver was a great success. I met a lot of wonderful art supporters, received some great feedback, and saw some of my favorite patrons from last year return to buy more art! I have a new tent and panels that really helped to bring my display into the professional realm. I am ready for the next three art festivals this year and feel very blessed to be able to sit in the sun and share my work with the world.

North of Town

2009-06-09T09:05:00.004-06:00

This most recent piece was created with the awesome morning light in mind. Too bad I have to get up so early to catch the best light. "North of Town" 8x10 oil.

A Few More Before the Show

2009-06-09T09:00:00.003-06:00

I have been finishing up a couple more paintings before the big weekend at the Art Students League of Denver Summer Art Market- this weekend June 13-14. At the last First Friday art opening at my studio, I finished this painting entitled "Temptation II". It was painted from a photograph taken by Darren Mahuron of Summit Studios Photography. When I mentioned to him that I was interested in painting the figure where the highlighted edges are lost with the background, he suggested that I work from this photograph. I love the finished product and was happy to collaborate with such a talented artist.

A Productive Week

2009-06-04T00:36:00.003-06:00

In preparation for the Summer Art Market in Denver next weekend, I have been working some long days in the studio. I finished 3 paintings this week! All you Coloradoans, stop by and say hi on Saturday or Sunday, June 12-13, 10:00-5:00pm at 2nd and Grant Street at the Art Students League of Denver. I will have lots of new work to share.

"Breaking Out" 24 x 48" and "Feathers and Flowers in Her Hair" 12x16".

Prints Now Available

2009-05-28T09:11:00.005-06:00

I have my prints made at The Cache Gallery of Photography here in Fort Collins and have always been pleased with the quality of their work. They make archival prints on canvas with a UV coating to protect it. I had enough of a positive response that I decided to get a limited edition print of one of my latest paintings "Puddle Jumping". The original is 31x36" so I can make prints in the following sizes:
10x12" - $35
15x18" - $55

Order a print today!

Spring is here

2009-05-28T09:06:00.002-06:00

I can get lost in the beauty of spring. It is hard to stay in the studio painting on warm bright bluebird sky days but somehow I manage with images like this- "Hollyhocks" 8 x 24" oil on canvas.

Longing For More

2009-04-27T22:28:00.003-06:00

Here is my latest piece that I will be displaying at the month's First Friday art opening at my studio. "Longing For More", 18 x 24", oil.

Scaling Down

2009-04-09T19:51:00.002-06:00

I have been accepted into 2 art festivals so far for this summer- the Art Students League of Denver Summer Art Market (June 13-14) and the Crested Butte Arts Festival (August 1-2). I am trying to create a lot of smaller pieces since I am predicting that spending will not be quite as lavish as in past years. Here are two of my latest 8x10" paintings- "Lady in Blue" and "Trail to American Lakes".

Nudes Are Not For Everyone

2009-04-09T19:31:00.002-06:00

I two-stepped with a guy at a loud and crowded country bar a few years ago. He asked me what I did for a living and I yelled, "I'm a painter!" He yelled back, "What do you paint?" I hollered, "Nudes!" Not hearing me correctly, he yelled back, "Dudes?" When I shook my head and again yelled, "Nudes!" he missed a beat, lost his footing for a second, blushed and then danced the rest of the song in silence. "Nude V" and "Nude VI" 8x10" oil on panel.

Tower of Tea Cups

2009-03-21T11:18:00.002-06:00

My friend, Emily, and I love to go antique shopping and on a recent excursion I thought of the idea for this painting. The hardest part was narrowing down which teacups to purchase and we were amazed to see that some seemingly benign teacups were priced at $35 each! We found a good mix of personality amongst the cheaper, less perfect selections and I am thoroughly pleased with the finished painting. "Teacup Tower" 10x30" oil.

Figure Drawing Class

2009-03-21T10:34:00.002-06:00

The classic painters were on to something when they chose the models with round bellies and thick thighs. I love drawing nude women and honestly, the bigger the better. The skinny models are all harsh angles and highlights on the drawing board. The rounder ladies have deep shades of pink in their legs and hands that show living, breathing life and mass. The paintbrush loves their curves, as opposed to straight lines. Here are my inspired quick paintings from a recent figure drawing class. Each piece is 8x10".

More Leaves

2009-03-02T23:47:00.001-07:00

Here is the second in my fall leaf series. Let me know what you think.

Revisiting the Fall

2009-02-18T16:09:00.003-07:00

I took a lot of pictures here in Colorado this past October and early November. Now I am in the studio, surrounded by bare trees, painting the beautiful changes of color, and reminiscing about my favorite time of year. Here are two paintings finished this week- "Red Feather Hills" 8 x 10 and "Fall Leaves 1" 22 x 30.

Many Late Nights

2009-01-25T10:31:00.002-07:00

I have had this idea for a while- a woman reading in bed surrounded by piles and piles of books, blissful in her solitude. I took the reference photos for this back in October and just finished it this week. It's enttitled "Many Late Nights" oil 24x30".

Commission- Ireland

2009-01-25T10:16:00.003-07:00

Great gift idea: An original commissioned oil painting! I will make a gift certificate with samples of my artwork on it, that you may give as a wedding gift or present for a loved one. It states that I will work together with the recipient to choose a favorite photograph of their choice that will be turned into a fine art oil painting. Interested? Send me an email to get more details at savagepainter@yahoo.com.

This is a painting that was created for the happy recipients of one of my gift certificates. My friend purchased the gift certificate for their wedding present and they chose a picture from their honeymoon in Ireland. They loved it and I think this will be a unique and memorable gift that they will cherish for years to come.

First Friday Art Walk

2009-01-16T23:00:00.002-07:00

Earlier this month, I did a painting demo at my studio during the First Friday Art Gallery Walk. I showed the sketching stage and underpainting that creates the foundation for the full color painting. I am planning on making this a regular feature during the monthly art walk at my studio at The Gallery Underground. Thank you to everyone who showed their curiosity and support- I hope to see you again next month!

Wedding Present

2008-12-21T23:30:00.002-07:00

I love the rule that you can give a wedding gift anytime within a year following the wedding. In this case, my patrons had me paint their friends' flower arangement from their wedding. They were married in the mountains of Breckenridge, Colorado and I think this will be a beautiful tribute to their new life together.

A Lesson in Teaching

2008-12-18T09:54:00.003-07:00

Yesterday, I had the good fortune of being able to sit in on a class taught by my good friend, George Coll. He is a very positive and inspiring person with a straight forward approach to teaching. He takes his own reference photos, makes a copy for each of the students and then they all paint the same image together. Yesterday's lesson was of Canadian geese in Loveland Lake. He walked around, cracking jokes, offering encouragement, and taught by example. I enjoyed the lesson, learned a lot from this one day in his studio, and look forward to employing some of the same techniques in my classes. "Loveland Geese" 8x10 oil. You can see some of George Coll's brilliant work at http://georgecoll.blogspot.com/.

Giving the Gift of Art

2008-12-18T09:50:00.002-07:00

My mother goes on a retreat with about a dozen fun-loving women every year. This year's host invited them to stay at her home on beautiful Orca Bay and they wanted to create a personalized "thank you" for her. They all took pictures of the breathtaking sunsets off of the balcony and had me turn their images into an original oil painting. I think this will be a special way to remember the good times and good friendships from that week.

Everything Falls Into Place

2008-11-21T17:44:00.004-07:00

I am basking in the afterglow of finishing a successful painting. Every once in while, everything just falls into place and magic happens. This is how I have felt through out the process of creating "Ready For Rain".

I had an idea for a painting in a claw-footed bathtub but didn't know where to find one. Then at a party, I randomly mentioned the need for such a tub and the guy sitting next to me said he had one in his apartment. I hired a local actress to model for me and she showed up to the photo shoot with these super fun bright yellow galoshes and I changed my whole plan to focus around the boots.

Then, as I started painting from the reference, I couldn't figure out what to do with the foreground and sat staring at the half-finished canvas for a couple of weeks. At yesterday's painting group, some of my artist friends suggested a strong shadow shape and something on the floor to break up the space. I got in "the zone" and was so excited to finish the painting that I called into work and asked my boss if I could have the rest of the day off. She gave me her blessing and I spent the day happily finishing it. Thank you to all of the individuals who serendipitously came into my life to help me create this!

Lannie

2008-10-10T08:48:00.003-06:00

I agreed to do a trade with my studiomate Darren Mahuron of Summit Studios Photography. His artwork is wildly creative and I was able to paint from a photograph that he took of his grandfather, Lannie. Lannie is a rough 'n tough rancher with long nails and a sharp wit. I thought a lot about this character while I painted. Here is the final painting and a detail of his face.

WOW show

2008-09-30T20:30:00.002-06:00

The local art co-op is hosting "The WOW Show" as a fundraising opportunity and chance to give local artists international exposure for their artwork. Artists were able to interpret "wow" in whatever way they wanted. I chose "Wide Open West". You can bid on this 8x10" painting and see the others available by clicking here.

Tree Frogs Completed!

2008-09-05T09:57:00.002-06:00

This was such a fun project! Working outdoors, talking with tons of people, playing with fun vibrant colors, painting silly tree frogs. I got great feedback from everyone who watched me paint and I am proud to have a permanent artwork in our downtown area. If you are a local or visiting Fort Collins, go to the SW corner of Laporte and College Ave. The frogs are located in the alleyway between Pueblo Viejo and the parking garage. Enjoy!

Horse Installed

2008-08-29T16:17:00.002-06:00

Here is a picture of my horse in its permanent home. The mall did a lovely job landscaping around it with benches for weary shoppers to sit in. It's right next to a Babies 'R Us and the kids that were walking by really enjoyed the horse. I'm feeling pretty proud of my work.

If These Frogs Could Talk

2008-08-18T13:12:00.002-06:00

I have been working hard on my second public art project- two electrical boxes painted with tree frogs in the alley of Fort Collins at the Laporte/College Ave intersection. I almost finished the largest of the two and hope to finish the entire project by this weekend.

I have gotten a great response from the community. People have been commenting on how they love the colors, the design, and the scope of the project. Some folks just walk by and say, "You're doing a great job!" Others stop and chat and ask about the project and want to know if I am getting paid. One drunken man stumbled by and shouted, "You're painting all of them frogs? I f*ckin' love those frogs! If I tried to paint those frogs, they'd look like gay ass turtles, 'er some sh*t. 'Yer doing an awesome job, dude!"

Yes, folks- Colorful and fun- that's what this experience has been.

Horse is done!

2008-07-23T00:12:00.001-06:00

After 30 hours of painting in one week, here is the finished product- a 10' tall rearing stallion with a perfect Colorado day painted on it.

Horse Project- Day 3

2008-07-17T21:18:00.003-06:00

Here is my progress after 3 days of painting. It doesn't look like much more than yesterday but consider the fact that this is a 3-D sculpture and I am painting all of the sides...and it's 10' tall...and the largest brush I have is only 4" wide. Tomorrow I will start on the aspens! I am also trying to figure out how to tastefully paint the stallion's genitalia. A strategically placed cluster of leaves? A huge columbine? Any ideas?

Progress

2008-07-17T08:58:00.004-06:00

I have been painting like crazy on this horse project and there is still a lot of surface area to cover. I am aiming to get this done by next Wednesday so that my sponsors can install it by their grand opening. The pressure is on!

Rearing To Go

2008-07-13T20:03:00.003-06:00

...and so it begins. My two large public art projects are due within the next few weeks. This is a photo of me standing in front of my "canvas". This horse will have columbine flowers painted around the base with aspen trees leaning up the body showcasing the bright leaves against a Colorado blue sky. I'll be posting my progress as I go. Here is a link to learn more about the project.

New Commission

2008-06-27T09:36:00.003-06:00

This summer is shaping up to be full of commissions. This was a painting I did for a friend with a mermaid themed bathroom. Next, I will be working on my public art projects!

Summer Art Market a success!

2008-06-16T09:41:00.003-06:00

This past weekend I participated in the two day outdoor art festival, the Summer Art Market at the Art Students League of Denver. It was a whirlwind of seeing 120 artists and meeting hundreds of art enthusiasts. I sold a lot of artwork, met some great people and gained some new patrons. Thank you to everyone who came out and showed me their support!

Puerto Rico

2008-06-10T09:34:00.000-06:00

I have finally painted this wedding present for my friends who were married in Puerto Rico last month. Culebra Island was the location for the ceremony and this unique island was used for military testing during WWII. Unexploded artillery and rusted tanks litter the beaches and the local artists have taken it upon themselves to decorate these odd fixtures of the local landscape. This is how I would like to see all military weapons worldwide- totally inoperable. "Peaceful Tank" 8x10 oil.

Tree Frogs!

2008-06-02T09:10:00.005-06:00

Here is my final color sketch of my tree frogs design for the transformer cabinet mural project. I hope I get to start soon. I meet with the board of directors for Art in Public Places tomorrow. If I get their final approval I could start this month!

10' Tall Canvas

2008-05-28T11:59:00.002-06:00

I have another public art project slated for this summer- painting a 10' tall rearing horse sculpture. This is one of many public art projects in the nation where a fiberglass cast of an animal is painted by resident artists and displayed around a city. Denver had cows, Maryland had crabs, Fort Collins will have horses. My design is a Colorado theme- purple columbine flowers at the base of a towering aspen grove under a clear blue sky. I'll have 6 weeks to complete the painting of it. After a short tour with the local rodeo, my horse will be permanently installed along Harmony Road in Fort Collins. Here is my sketch and a sample of the size and scale of what these will look like.

Public Mural Project

2008-05-19T13:53:00.003-06:00

I have been chosen as one of 11 artists to do a mural on the electrical transformer cabinets in Old Town Square Fort Collins. These ugly green metal boxes are often tagged by graffiti artists. The Art In Public Places department of our fair city has decided to have artists paint these boxes with colorful designs to mitigate any future graffiti. I presented two designs this morning for my multi-box location. The first design was of a butterfly release symbolizing the renewal of our city. The second design was of a cluster of tree frogs in a dense forest. The design team chose the tree frogs so now I will be working on the color version for the final approval, and then I will be painting it in public this summer!

The Long Way Home

2008-05-19T13:32:00.004-06:00

This is my newest (and bluest) painting from this past month. I think that everyone has an emotional response to train tracks. There is a sense of nostalgia, the lure of travel, the mystery of where the tracks may lead. In a time when newer, fancier cars are coming out on the market every month, I am amazed that this part of the transportation industry has remained relatively unchanged in our country since the 1800's. I used a vintage lamp and timeless clothes to create an open-ended image where you fill in the story. "The Long Way Home"

Fancy new website

2008-05-19T13:16:00.002-06:00

I recently updated my website and am really pleased with the results. The pictures load quickly, I can change and update the images in a matter of minutes and it organizes my information in a clever way. Let me know what you think! Check out the new site at www.SavagePainter.com.

Art-A-Thon

2008-04-19T21:02:00.003-06:00

Today, I had a long day of painting for the good of our local art co-op, The Colorado Coalition of Artists, at the 4th annual Art-A-Thon. Over the course of the day, I worked on my new website design, finished a commission of a fellow artists' sons, and started a new larger painting. Here is my completed painting commssion, "Brent Boys" 12x16 oil. My new website is soon to follow...

Art-A-Thon Pledges Needed

2008-04-08T09:57:00.004-06:00

The Art-A-Thon is here once again! I am in need of pledges for this 12 hour painting endeavor. If you are new to the Art-A-Thon, here is how it works. Artists who are members of the Colorado Coalition of Artists commit to making art for as many consecutive hours as they possibly can from 9am-9pm on Saturday, April 19th. There is live music and a BBQ to fuel the creative fire. Friends, family and fellow artists pledge a flat amount or a dollar amount per consecutive hour. So, if you pledge me $1 for every hour that I do the Art-A-Thon, that will be a $12 tax-deductible donation if I make it all 12 hours. Anyone that pledges me will get an 8x10 print of my artwork. Email me at savagepainter@yahoo.com and let me know this week if you would like to pledge me for this fun event!

Painting Classes starting in May

2008-04-08T09:53:00.003-06:00

I am going to start teaching a painting class on Tuesday or Thursday mornings starting in May. Here is a description of the class. Pass this along to any interested friends or family:

Painting Your Creative Vision
Ability: All Levels

Dreaming of becoming a better artist? With Kirsten Savage's emphasis on content and composition, you will! She sees the potential in each student, and has the knowledge, technique and experience to point each student in his or her own direction. Savage tailors her instruction to meet each individual’s needs. Beginners will blossom and more advanced students will find that each class offers new challenges. Develop and strengthen your paintings inspired by a still life, photos or your imagination. Students will focus on composition, color, value, shape, and paint quality in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Cost: $75/month, class is 2 hours/week

Ecuador revisited

2008-03-27T18:45:00.002-06:00

My latest painting is from a photo I took at the end of a long hike in Ecuador (about 10 miles). There were some inquisitive sheep staring at our tired eyes and we just stood there and stared back. "Two Sheep" 20x24 oil.

Solitude

2008-03-25T11:10:00.002-06:00

The wide expansive landscapes of the west have a certain pull. After I have been cooped up in the house all winter, I really want to escape from civilization and be engulfed by nature. Every spring, I drive east for about an hour until I reach the grasslands. The silence is absolutely deafening. Some part of me is refueled by sitting in the middle of nowhere and doing nothing. My most recent piece reflects this feeling. "Twilight Solitude" 11 x 14" oil.

Memories

2008-03-16T11:43:00.002-06:00

This latest painting is inspired by the feelings we have when someone is no longer with us. The physical separation can be so painful, and we often cling to articles from the past to comfort us in our grief. "Memories" 12x16 oil.

eBay Store Loaded with Affordable Art

2008-02-28T08:45:00.005-07:00

Many of you have been asking about my "100 Paintings in 100 Days" mission and are eager to see the results. I created a lot of wonderful smaller paintings during this time period and I have posted my successes on eBay. Quite a few of these paintings have already sold hot off the easel and I thank my patrons and friends who have been so supportive during this process! Check out the newest arrivals along with some other goodies at my eBay store: SavagePainter. They are all 9x12" or smaller and priced from $45-$100.

Click on the link to shop: http://stores.ebay.com/SavagePainter

Southern Harvest

2008-02-25T17:56:00.004-07:00

Some family friends requested that I paint a still life with a Southern theme (they live in South Carolina). I gathered some hibiscus and magnolia flowers and big southern peaches. Gently arranged on a vintage trunk, I think it evokes the right feeling. "Southern Harvest" 12x18" oil. SOLD

Small Treasures

2008-01-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

There's a row of antique shops at the south end of town that call to me every once in a while. One time I drove down there looking for something that would inspire me to paint. I found an intricately-carved black wooden chair from the 1920's with a green velvet cushion. It was $50 and way more then I wanted to spend on a chair that I couldn't even sit on. I left the shop without buying it. A week later I found myself still thinking about the damn chair, drove back and bought it, painted it at my friend's house in front of an old window with leaded glass, and ended up selling it at the gallery.

I have recently started buying old skeleton keys every time I go to these antique shops. I love the people who work here and their unabashed passion for these treasures. In crowded antique stores the size of warehouses, these owners help me find a couple of tiny rusted keys in the back of a glass cabinet somewhere. It never ceases to amaze me. This was just a study of 2 of my 9 new acquisitions. I have a feeling that soon something much bigger will result from these seemingly small keys. "Skeleton Keys" 4x6 oil.

Body Language

2008-01-23T10:31:00.000-07:00

The feeling and meaning that you can derive the nude is endless. I am studying a wonderful book called Curve: The Female Nude Now. What I noticed most is how the subtle changes in each piece, such as the proportion of the figure in reference to its setting or where the picture is cropped, effect how you relate to the figure. The female nude remains one of the most enduring images in all of art history. I can foresee myself following in the footsteps of so many artists before me by taking this one idea and spending a lifetime finding out how many different ways I can interpret it. "Redhead" and "Falling Into Darkness"

Two Masters

2008-01-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

These two paintings that I just completed are small studies of the masters Malcolm Liepke and Toulouse-Lautrec.

Fun fact about Toulouse-Lautrec: Throughout his career, which spanned less than 20 years, he created 737 canvases, 275 watercolors, 363 prints and posters, 5,084 drawings, 300 pornographic works, some ceramic and stained glass work and an unknown number of lost works. His parents were were first cousins, and he suffered from a number of congenital health conditions attributed to this tradition of inbreeding in his family.

Fun fact about Malcolm Liepke: He studied at a prominent art college for a year and a half before dropping out and moving to New York to study on his own such masters as Degas, Velasquez and Toulouse-Lautrec.

New Year

2008-01-12T10:25:00.000-07:00

With the holidaze behind me, I have opened my eyes to a new year full of artistic possibilities. I am a bit behind on my 100 paintings in 100 days goal but it has been a good journey. I have remembered to paint from life. The root of all good artwork is observation and this has helped to keep my eyes trained. I have remembered to paint simply for the sake of pushing around paint, and have reclaimed that childlike joy. I have remembered to continue to study the masters, because I know I can always learn something new. And so it continues... "Fractured" 7x9 oil, "Shiny Tomato" 6x8 oil.

A Flock of Art

2007-12-10T10:26:00.002-07:00

I have been doing some playful fruit and vegetable paintings and picture them all grouped together on a kitchen wall. Two of my artist friends work in this format and when they display multiple paintings together they call their groupings "a flock of art". Here is my flock: "Acorn Squash", "Lazy Pear" (SOLD), "Mini Radishes", "Red,Orange, Yellow" and "Three Pairs".

Odds and Ends

2007-12-10T09:29:00.001-07:00

This past week I have been rifling through my shelves in search of fun objects to paint for my 100 paintings in 100 days. What has resulted is an odd assortment. Although still life paintings are not normally my forte, it has been great practice to work from life after being so dependent upon working from photos. "Nesting Dolls", "She Sells Seashells" & "Two Tubes".

Mini Nudes

2007-12-10T09:23:00.002-07:00

I have been busy and am over 1/3 of the way to my goal of doing 100 paintings in 100 days! Here are a couple of small nudes painted from vintage black and white postcards. It was a fun challenge to make up the colors and modernize the images. "Contemplating Thoreau" (SOLD) & "Morning Stretch" 6x8" $50.

Santa Fe- The Artist Mecca

2007-11-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

When I originally decided to move to the Southwest from Maryland, I had thought of moving to Santa Fe. I settled on Colorado after I was lured by beautiful pictures of the Rocky Mountains. I have been here over 6 years now and finally made a road trip there last week with two girlfriends. I loved seeing the landscape that inspired Georgia O'Keeffe, the soft curving adobe houses, weathered wooden doors, open air markets and the winding streets packed with blue chip galleries. We made friends with some artists and gallery owners who gave us the insider view of the city and invited us to return this summer for a group show at the Underground Gallery of Contemporary Art! It was truly an inspiring weekend.

I gathered these unruly white beets at a farmers' market and painted them in our lovely B&B. "White Beets", 8x10, oil, $100.

More Silliness

2007-11-25T09:39:00.001-07:00

I love the late comedian Mitch Hedberg. He was the king of ridiculous one-liners. I've been illustrating some of his quotes in my Silly Painting Series. It has been fun doing artwork with a childlike hand. Don't worry, though- I will return to my representational style soon enough. "Cheese Shredder" (SOLD) & "Pickles" (SOLD)

Silliness

2007-11-25T09:32:00.002-07:00

This past week I have been experimenting, letting loose, and having fun. I have a pretty silly side that needs to come out and play and this is what has resulted. Not quite gallery-worthy artwork. Maybe something to place in a bathroom or to give as a gift to someone who needs a good laugh. All paintings are mixed media on a 6"x6" wood block, $45 each.

Ecuador

2007-11-15T23:47:00.000-07:00

While I traveled through Ecuador this past summer, I collected a wealth of colorful imagery. The mountains and markets were candy for the eyes. Here are my first two paintings dedicated to their rich tapestry of color- "South American Market" and "Otavallo Hillside", both 8x10 oil on panel.

A Touch of Green

2007-11-07T13:12:00.001-07:00

I found this vintage hankerchief at a thrift store a few years ago and have been waiting for the right time to paint it. A touch of green seemed like the perfect accent to it. "Three Limes" 8x10, oil on panel. (SOLD)

Creative Spaces

2007-11-05T08:22:00.001-07:00

Last summer I spent a week in International Falls, Minnesota with some friends. We were right on the Canadian border at a lovely cabin on an island. On another nearby island, there was a wonderful artists' retreat. There are comfy window nooks, gazebos overlooking the lake, and shady benches throughout the property. Perfect places to sit and be creative. This was one of my favorite rooms with a blue porch and weathered chairs- "Red Chair on a Blue Porch", 6x8", oil on panel, $50.

Pollinator

2007-11-04T12:24:00.001-07:00

Today's painting was done from a flower in the public gardens in our town. A little bee happened to wander into the picture frame at the right moment and what resulted was "The Pollinator", 6x8", oil on panel, $50.00.

Birds of a Feather

2007-11-02T12:20:00.001-06:00

Only 98 more paintings to go! (Sounds daunting, doesn't it?) I woke up early today and did this painting for my 100 paintings in 100 days series. "Pigeon", 7.25 x 10", oil on panel, $85.00. See it listed on eBay here: SavagePainter eBay store.

100 PAINTINGS IN 100 DAYS!!!

2007-11-01T17:59:00.001-06:00

Some may call me crazy, but today I have embarked on a mission. My goal: To paint 100 paintings in 100 days! Inspired by artists I have seen on the internet who do a painting-a-day, I figured I could do the same. I plan on making each piece small and affordable and posting it on eBay for $45 - $100. Click on this link to check out my first listing at My eBay Store: SavagePainter. Painting #1: "Yellow Tulips" 8x10", Oil on panel, $100.

Yee haw!

2007-11-01T17:51:00.001-06:00

This western fella' is my latest commissioned painting. Known as "Big Jim", he was the DJ for the past two decades at Sundance Steakhouse and Country Club, the local western music dance hall. He is retiring this year and the owner will be giving him the original painting as a gift, while a copy of my painting will hang in tribute to him at Sundance. Quite an honor for me and Big Jim. "Big Jim" 16x20 oil (SOLD)

Giving Back

2007-10-21T18:32:00.000-06:00

This past week has been all about giving back to the art community. A lot of wonderful artists in my town have helped me along the way and I figured it was about my time to start helping the next wave. On Tuesday morning (at 7:38am!) I spoke in front of 60 high school art students. I talked about my college experience and my transition into "real life". On Wednesday, I gave a talk about concept development to a wonderful group of local artists, The Artists Association of Northern Colorado. Both groups asked a ton of great questions and invited me to come back again.

Today, I went to the local Barnes & Noble bookstore and did live painting demos. B&N is donating a portion of all of today's sales to our local non-profit art co-op, The Colorado Coalition of Artists. I was there to answer questions about the organization and to show off what we do. I thought I would be terrified to step into the public speaker role but each experience got a little easier. Here are my two paintings from today's demo: "Look My Way" and "Feel the Music", both 8x10, oil.

Lots of Commissions

2007-09-30T11:33:00.002-06:00

I have a lot of commissions lined up right now and have just finished two of them in the past week. Although I prefer to paint my own chosen subject matter, commissions are great too and often pose an interesting challenge. I have drawn and painted other people's horses, babies, wives, brothers, boxer dogs, relatives who have passed away, houses, images from their vacations, and random landscapes. I put as much effort into these commissions as I would with a painting for my gallery and it's great to make a unique creation that you know will make a specific person happy. Here are my latest: "Nicole & Xavier Porter" (SOLD) and "Blue Mountain Sunset" (SOLD).

Edges

2007-09-19T13:14:00.000-06:00

I have been paying more attention to my "edges". I've noticed that by softening up the paint edges that face the light, it creates a more life-like form and a dream-like quality that I really like. Here is my first attempt. "Willow" oil 11x14.

Advice For the Timid Art Buyer

2007-09-19T07:57:00.000-06:00

Walking into a gallery can be pretty intimidating. Making a big art purchase can be nerve-wracking. Here are a couple of tips to help:

--Most people that walk into a gallery do not make a purchase. So, do not feel like it is inappropriate to "just look". Take your time, ask questions about the artwork and artists, and say "thank you" when you leave.
--If you are not totally sure if the artwork will look right in your home or office, many galleries will allow you to take the piece home on loan and try it out for a week. If it doesn't work, you can just take it back to the gallery- no hassle.
--If you don't like the frame, ask if there is an unframed price for the piece (often $20-$150 less than the original price). Buy it unframed and then take it to a professional framer and pick out something that suits your tastes and needs.
--If the painting is quite expensive, keep in mind that most galleries can also work out a payment plan so that you can pay for it over a period of a couple of weeks or months. They will safely hold the painting at the gallery until the full purchase is made.

I won, I won, I won!!!

2007-08-26T13:49:00.000-06:00

This weekend was a huge success! I participated in the Estes Park Plein Air Quick Draw event this weekend. About 55 other artists from all over the nation gathered in downtown Estes Park, located at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park. We had 90 minutes to complete a whole painting and could paint from a model, a series of still lifes or the surrounding landscape. I chose a wild pair of cowboy boots to paint and entitled it "New to Me". The time limit, and the pressure of painting while hundreds of people were watching you, was intense but I felt good about my completed painting.

In the juried competition immediately following the paint out, "New to Me" won Second Place prize! There was a live auction following the judging and my painting sold for $450. The rest of my artwork from this event will be on display at Earthwood Collections gallery in Estes Park through the end of September. I am thrilled to have been invited to participate in this event and hope to do it again next year.

Estes Park Plein Air event

2007-08-24T08:52:00.001-06:00

The rules of the Estes Park Plein Air event are pretty straight forward. All participating artists may submit up to 3 paintings completed in the "plein air" style in the past 3 weeks. We can choose any location to paint within a 100 mile radius of Estes Park, CO. These are my three paintings that I will be submitting for this event and I will also be participating in a "Quick Draw" competition in the center of town on the opening day of the exhibit. This is my first time doing this show and event and I have really enjoyed the challenge! "Backcountry Trails" (SOLD), "Sundown in Colorado" and "Colorado Eastern Plains" (SOLD) 12x16, oil.

Children

2007-08-05T10:51:00.001-06:00

Your paintings are like your children in many ways. You create them, you worry over them, you do as good of a job as possible with them and then you send them out into the world and hope that the world loves them as much as you do.

I just finished a commission for a person whom I have never met. She is a friend of a friend on the east coast 1500 miles from here who has been a nanny of a little girl for a family for the past couple of years. She is moving on to a new job and wanted a portrait of their daughter to give as a departing gift. I only know this little girl through a couple of photographs but she seems lovely. As I send off this painting, that tinge of pain that comes with every sale returns. I have empathy for my customer because she is also leaving something precious in the hands of another and all you can do is hope that they will care for her as much as you have. "Little Girl" 12x16 oil (SOLD).

The Kimono

2007-07-29T12:39:00.000-06:00

Here is my latest piece that I will be displaying at Centennial Galleries this upcoming Friday. I am the featured artist for the month of August and will be showing 10 new paintings. Wish me good luck!

"The Kimono" 22x28" Oil

Inspiration from Different Sources

2007-07-28T12:15:00.001-06:00

I have been looking at a lot of Malcolm Liepke's art. He piles on the paint like icing and paints primarily figures in an interior landscape. I love his style and the emotion that he pulls out of a simple pose. Inspired by Liepke, I snapped a picture of my boyfriend playing the guitar a couple nights ago. The light cast from a window on the left created a great blue color on his figure. The color and pose reminded me of Picasso's "The Man with the Blue Guitar" so I put my tribute to this piece as a painting within my painting. "Practice Under The Picassos" 11x14 Oil.

Two Of A Kind

2007-07-23T22:51:00.000-06:00

A lot of people seem to look like their pets. It could be that we pick out animals that look like ourselves for some narcissistic reason. Or maybe we morph into them slowly over time. I was walking down the street a few weeks ago and saw a woman and her dog with the same expression, body type, and coloring staring intently up into a tree. I loved the scene and have adopted it for my latest painting "Two Of A Kind" 18x24 Oil. (Note: You can click on the image for a larger view of the painting)

His and Hers

2007-07-11T13:52:00.000-06:00

This fantastic hat was gifted to me by my boyfriend's father. I created an entire history in my head about this hat and who wore it. I imagined an older sprightly gentleman in pressed pants, a crisp white shirt and shiny shoes. For his wife, I pictured a clean feminine lady with a quick wit. I picture them as a happy couple- not a lot of money, but a lot of pride. I imagined this to be the chair in their bedroom where they toss their things after church on Sunday. "His and Hers" 12x16 Oil.

New Studio !!!

2007-07-11T13:46:00.001-06:00

For the past year, I have been painting in a small 5' x 5' space in the corner of our bedroom. A couple of artist friends of mine just rented out a HUGE garage/warehouse in Old Town Fort Collins and I jumped at the opportunity to join them. My biggest paintings now look like postage stamps on the walls of my studio so I am planning to work larger now.

The Simple Things

2007-07-10T20:20:00.000-06:00

Sometimes seeing the simplest thing, like a rusted key or a ripe lime, results in the inspiration for an entire painting. In my most recent experience, it was a vintage red coat. Every time my friend Allison would wear this coat, I would imagine it in a painting. I finally just asked her to pose for me. She showed up in blue jeans and the red coat and I subconsciously added in a the last of the primary colors into the composition- a yellow envelope. "Waiting" 12x16 Oil.