Archive for the ‘Work in progress’ Category

I’ll Be Workin’ for the Railroad!

Sunday, March 21st, 2010

I recently made a proposal to the RGSR  board  for a project at the newly renovated & remodeled building which now houses the Welcome Center & the Depot for the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad.

There are three individual window openings high in the walls of this grand new space which are great for windows depicting scenes of the railroad and our glorious Colorado landscapes.

My proposal was accepted and newly easeled in my studio is the first of the panels; the little old yellow depot which will soon be moved to Monte Vista.

New Project for a New Gallery!

Sunday, March 21st, 2010

Laura Murphy, friend, professor & extraordinary fiber artist, has been working for several years on opening her gallery.  When she asked me to design a piece for the new space I jumped at the chance.  The name of her gallery brought immediately to  mind lattices & greenery & she said that fit her vision as well, if I could incorporate images of her logo into the whole.  This is the final drawing agreed upon.  She loved the Luna Moth!

I have decided to show the actual process from drawing through cutting, foiling, soldering & framing on this project.

The completed piece was successfully installed just prior to Christmas ‘09 and the gallery opening was  great!

In trade for my glass work I will receive a hand crafted piece of wearable art from a true master!

http://wildethymeart.com

Fifth & Final Dunes Panel

Monday, November 9th, 2009

In this, the largest and final piece of the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve project, is found the high mountain area of the environment. Here dwells the big-horn sheep, with a bald eagle soaring overhead. Ponderosa pine and greenery in fall colors cover much of the rocky landscape where also bloom Indian paintbrush and the Colorado state flower, the blue and white columbine.

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Fourth Panel for Dunes….

Monday, November 9th, 2009

This panels shows additional dunes fieldd, contrasted with the snowy spires of the Crestone Needles towering into the Colorado sky. Fall colors are visible in the distant landscape and more golden aspen frame one side. The Medano rushes by a mother brown bear and her cub, and on the far right is a ponderosa pine with a portion of the bark peeled off for medicinal purposes by Native American people. In the lower left corner is a cut-throat trout, found in the brooks and streams of the area and the lower right corner depicts the vibrant color of the mountain bluebird.

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Third Sand Dunes Panel

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

In the third panel of this project are found the highest dunes in the dune field, towering against the blue and white of the high valley sky.

Here are often found the “Chinese wall” effects along the tops of the dunes, formed when moisture and wind conditions are right for the phenomenon.

The Medano flows along the outer edge of the dune field, to later seep and disappear into the sands farther west.

A large bull elk grazes in the tall grass .

Among the animals found here are Ord’s kangaroo rat and the short-horned lizard, whose spiny camoflage fades perfectly into the sandy environment.dunes-31

First Sand Dunes Panel

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

This is the first of the five panels to be installed in the visitors center of the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve near Alamosa CO.

dunes-13

This panel depicts the wetland areas which edge the western side of the dune field. This area has an abundance of wildlife and shown are sandhill cranes in flight and the pronghorn antelope.

The corner insets feature the sunflower on the left, whose blossoms blanket the open field surrounding the dunes with a carpet of brilliant yellow for most of the summer season. Also found only in this vicinity is the Great Sand Dunes tiger beetle, with its iridescent carapace.

In the lower right corner is a pair of sandhill cranes, whose migratory path leads them to graze in fields of the San Luis Valley in the in the early spring and again in the fall. These magnificent birds can reach 46″ in height and can have a wingspan of over 6 feet. Their calls can frequently be heard before they become visible when the flocks pass overhead.

Second Dunes Panel

Monday, June 8th, 2009

This is the second panel of the Great Sand Dunes project.

Depicted is lightning striking the dunes, which results in ‘fulgarite’ formations made when the electricity from the lightning melts the silica in the sand, and the big dipper, which represents the “night Sky” program in the NPS.

Here also are mule deer, very numerous in the area. The corner inserts are yellow Elephant ear cactus on the left and Indian points representative of those found at various sites around the San Luis valley.dunes-2

Artist-in-Residence at Great Sand Dunes!!!

Sunday, May 24th, 2009

Right around Christmas of last year I was approached by Art Hutchison, the Superintendent of GSDNP&P and asked if I would consider doing an installation for the Visitor Center similar to the one I did the previous fall at Great Basin. This project would be a bit smaller; around 28 sq. ft.

Since my installation at Great Basin had been featured on the web-page of the NPS site, I have had a couple of interested inquiries.

After further planning & a few meetings, it was agreed that the “Friends of the Dunes” would purchase the supplies, and I would donate my time and skill in exchange for the title of AIR.

As this park is practically in my own backyard here in the beautiful valley where I have made my home for nearly 40 years, I am once again humbled by the honor of creating work to be a part of our great National Parks.

An Ending

Thursday, November 20th, 2008

The installation went smoothly and with no major mishaps. The potluck was wonderful and I was so glad to be able to introduce my family to the great people I have met and worked with here.

I am pleased with my work, and upon final inspection after installation, found nothing I would change. Often I am my own worst critic.

I will always remember this experience and all the people who helped make it possible. I am a lucky woman indeed.

The project installed!

The project installed!

Week 6: Almost complete!

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008
Final panel

Final panel

I begin to cut the final panel of this project.

This piece features the bristle-cone pines growing from the rocky slopes, the Wheeler Peak snow-field/glacier and a final branch of golden aspen leaves.

At this point I can’t wait to have the whole series out of my cabin windows and installed permanently at the visitors center. Until that is accomplished, I will be anxious.

The park is hosting a potluck on Nov. 13th for the presentation of the project. By then my husband and son will be here to spend a few days and help me pack up.