Gavel . . . anyone?

The food was delicious and the conversation stimulating at our meeting last night. Two full tables of AOTA members met at the Brickhouse 40. We discussed our upcoming Member Show, had more artists register and saw a draft for the show poster. We shared ideas about art, fine art printing, surviving the current economy and got better acquainted and relaxed after our busy days.

Although Patty didn't attend the meeting last night (because the MUSE got her and wouldn't let go!), we caught up afterward on the phone. After chatting about the intentionally loose format of our get togethers we came up with an idea for future meetings that would insure important and interesting items would not get overlooked. It is a goal of AOTA to be a place where networking and support and all things ART can be shared by all.

With that in mind . . . the rotating "AOTA GAVEL" is coming to our next get together. It'll pass around the room and if you have something to share, the gavel will be the sign to all that it is your turn to have everyone's attention . . . you're in an upcoming show, planning a trip to Denver to see an exhibit or buy supplies, looking for someone to go painting with, know of a good printer, need help with digital editing or show entry, etc., etc.

It was also brought up that the Thursday Art and Entertainment events at Circle H have been a big success and that perhaps some of our artists would miss our meetings because of these programs, so look for our end of June meeting to be on a different night. It will be good timing for going over details on our Member Show the following week. We'll also be looking for a venue in the WP/F end of Hwy 40 just to change it up a bit.

Last, but not least is a picture of the new Clubhouse at Pole Creek Golf Course. It's open and if you are participating in the Member Show you may want to stop out and take a look before hand so you'll have a sense of how nice our show will be.



Marie Johannes aka mariefraser

See you this Thursday...

...at Brickhouse 40 in Granby. If you haven't been there yet you're in for a treat!

We'll have a lot to talk about with our upcoming Member's Show. There have been a lot of entries and it promises to be a wonderful first annual show for the coalition. Just a reminder - you have until June 5th to send in an application to Marie Johannes - for more details, click here.

For those who like to paint flowers...

...the Calypso Orchids are in bloom - more than I've ever seen before.

It's always a nice surprise to come across them - and they're only in bloom for a couple of weeks.

They're hard to photo because they're so close to the ground - these aren't the clearest shots because my dogs couldn't figure out what I was doing lying down on the trail and they kept trying to lick my face.

Patty

You're invited...

Donna Lyons and I are excited to invite you to our show opening on Friday, June 5th from 6-9pm at the 910events Gallery at 910 Santa Fe Drive in Denver. We'll also be demonstrating on Saturday, June 6th - Donna will be creating artist trading cards from 11- noon and I'll show how I make my clay monotypes from noon-1pm.
There will also be another opening on Friday, June 19th from 6-9pm. The show will be up through June 29th.

The Santa Fe Arts District has really become a happening place. If you come to the 1st or 3rd Friday events, most of the galleries on Santa Fe will be open and having their own receptions, too. So, come on down for an evening of art and please stop by, we'd love to see you.

Patty

IMPORTANT AOTA SHOW NOTICE

If you haven't registered for the upcoming Member Show, but are planning to AND you'd like to have your work shown around town in the Show Poster and Show Flyer, NOW is the time to let me know. You can register electronically and please include a digital photo/s of your work!

I'll be working on the Show Poster and Show Flyer next week and the more images I can include the more attention we will attract through our community. This show is going to be the talk of Grand County!

If getting your work photographed is impeding you, Bill Swartz has gratiously offered to digitally photo your work this Monday (May 25) at my house outside Fraser between 9 and 11 am. If you need this service, call or email me ASAP. H: 26-4698 C:531-2906 OR bamjoh@yahoo.com

If your show piece isn't finished, but you have another piece that represents your work, we can photo that.

Be included. Don't miss this opportunity.

Thanks to those of you who have already sent in their registrations!

The new club house at Pole Creek is beautiful and the course is opening Saturday if you want to see our venue.

Marie Johannes aka mariefraser

Nice Show Last Night

Marie Johannes had a nice show at the Grand Arts Center last night.

Marie had some beautiful pieces on display - it was a nice evening.

An interesting blog site...

...for those who like to paint and/or draw is Different Strokes from Different Folks. The author, Karin Jurick, posts a photo and then artists send in their rendition of the scene in the photo. She generally posts a new photo every two weeks. There are directions for entering written on the right side of the blog as you scroll down. She also shares helpful thoughts about being an artist.

Even if you don't participate, it's an interesting blog - scroll through the archives and you'll see a lot of good work!

Patty

Plein Air Painting Buddies

Hi, Everyone! I will be heading out into Rocky Mountain National Park every Friday morning starting the second week in June. I would love some company! Usually I try to be on site by 9:00 AM and finish up by noon, unless I am really "into it", then I try to make it back to the car before the sprinkles come. It's great to have like-minded companions along, even if we are so busy painting we don't take time to visit. Safety in numbers, especially when it comes to moose!
Give me a call or just show up. The first morning I will be parked along the Colorado River at Betty Dick's place. Ask the Ranger at the gate when you come through to give you directions. It's not far and not difficult to find. Happy Painting! Donna Lyons 627-8523

Marie Johannes is the Arts Council featured artist for May!

Don't miss Marie's opening reception this Friday, May 15th from 5-7pm at the newly remodeled Grand Arts Center building at 913 Park Avenue in Grand Lake. The show comes down right away - so this is your only chance to see her beautiful work.



Marie lives four miles from the town of Fraser on a peaceful bit of land that was nestled in the woods when she and her husband moved to Colorado from Michigan nearly six years ago. As the land has opened up from logging to mitigate fire danger, so has Marie's inspiration from the landscape in her own back yard and all of Grand County.

B.S. Michigan State University Interior Design
Most recent studies with Mark Daily, Denver
Member of Plein Air Artists of Colorado
Member of Oil Painters of America

Plein Air Anyone?

If you enjoy painting outside and would like some company, please let us know and we'll post it on the blog. In fact, if you have any art related news, please send it for the blog!

Marie Johannes will be going to Empire this Saturday, the 16th, (weather dependent) to meet a friend to paint and would like some company. If you're interested, email her at bamjoh@yahoo.com or give her a call 726-4698 - she'll meet you at the Alco parking lot.

Starting sometime in June, Donna Lyons will be going out once a week with a group of painters. If you'd like to join them contact Donna at onahu@rkymtnhi.com or 627-8523.

Thanks for a great meeting!

Thanks to everyone who came on Thursday and a special thanks to April Hilton for hosting our event and to Robert Canon for playing his guitar and singing for us. All in all I thought it was one of our best get-togethers yet.

I have a couple of reminders for everyone - the Granby Banner Contest is still going on. For more details click here.

There is still time if any one is interested in being in the locals section of the Art Affair. They've extended the deadline to May 15th. They may also be able to get a big tent for all the local artists to share - it depends upon how much interest there is. Here's the scoop on that.

And, lastly, Nancy Bjerken is very excited about having a local artist festival at WP Resort this July. This sounds like a fun event and if there's enough involvement it could become an annual festival. Please call her at 726-6563 or email her at NBjerken@zmlwp.com if you're interested.