A few months ago I created the Cheyenne Artists Guild Blog. (Now for a quick shameless plug...If you haven't checked it out please do so, then sign up for emails or to Follow.) Being the CAG Blog editor has had the unforeseen effect of my personal blog being pretty silent for the last couple of months. No really, I didn't see this coming so please bear with me. I'm trying hard to learn to multitask like never before!
Today, I have set aside... as the day to catch up on my blog and let you know one of the things, I have been working on. Back in March, I got word that my two pastel paintings "The Whistle Blows" and "Saratoga Run" were both accepted into the 2012 Cheyenne Depot Museum Railway Show opening May 18th! YAY!!! It's always a thrilling experience to get acceptance notices! When you look at my two paintings you may be puzzled because they are done in two very different styles. Because of this, I thought you might be interested in my personal explanation for each painting. These explanations were required with the application we turned in with our entries for the show. I'm finding there is so much more to art than focusing on creating paintings! But then, I think the time we now live in and our society challenges us to learn to express ourselves in new ways. As well, we artists must embrace changes with new forms and ways of communication. What do you think, do we step into the future or should we continue to rely on ways of the past?
Today, I have set aside... as the day to catch up on my blog and let you know one of the things, I have been working on. Back in March, I got word that my two pastel paintings "The Whistle Blows" and "Saratoga Run" were both accepted into the 2012 Cheyenne Depot Museum Railway Show opening May 18th! YAY!!! It's always a thrilling experience to get acceptance notices! When you look at my two paintings you may be puzzled because they are done in two very different styles. Because of this, I thought you might be interested in my personal explanation for each painting. These explanations were required with the application we turned in with our entries for the show. I'm finding there is so much more to art than focusing on creating paintings! But then, I think the time we now live in and our society challenges us to learn to express ourselves in new ways. As well, we artists must embrace changes with new forms and ways of communication. What do you think, do we step into the future or should we continue to rely on ways of the past?
In my painting "The Whistle Blows", I want to convey a more modern look at the significance of trains and their components. A constant throughout locomotive history has been the familiar whistle of trains. Even today in our technological society the whistle still warns of the approach and roars her continued presents as a contributing force in an ever changing and competitive world. My interpretation of the train whistle uses bold colors and expressive strokes to convey through art the energy and life that trains bring to communities all across our country.
"Saratoga Run"
The inspiration for "Saratoga Run" began with a visit on a snowy day to see Engine 1242, "Ol Sadie" in Lions Park in Cheyenne, WY. As I studied the train I began thinking about what it might have been like during the time this work horse of the American west was in service. My painting shows my interpretation of a snowy morning as "Ol Sadie" chugs along her route from Walcott threw Saratoga then on to Encampment. Making the journey she pushes her way through the snow with smoke billowing from the stack and snow blowing to the sides of the engine as she cuts her way through the Wyoming landscape.
