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.
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.
Tags: antelope, Great Sand Dunes National Park, sandhill cranes, sunflowers, tiger beetle, wetlands
Posted in New work, Public installations, Work in progress | 1 Comment »
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.
Tags: Big Dipper, elephant-eat cactus, fulgarite, Indian points, mule deer, NPS night-sky program
Posted in New work, Public installations, Work in progress | No Comments »
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.
Tags: Add new tag, Artist in Residence, Great Sand Dunes Nat'l Park & Preserve, National Park
Posted in New work, Public installations, Uncategorized, Work in progress | 1 Comment »
March 29th, 2009
Yesterday the 7th Annual Alamosa Artwalk was held, bringing out many familiar faces as well as new ones from other areas. The day was gloriously sunny, considering the heavy spring snowfall of a couple of days ago.
The streets and shops of Alamosa were filled with artists, entertainers, writers , musicians and speakers. There was something for every age and gender, from face-painting to poetry readings and samplings of local foodstuffs.
I spent a good part of the day visiting the many venues, then the rest at the SLV Brewery, where my work is featured year-long and my two new works had just been added last week for the Artwalk. In fact, I hung “Colorado” early Tues. afternoon & had a committed buyer by that evening. My other piece for the Artwalk, consisting of a pair of corner-hangers entitled “Picses” got a lot of attention, but no takers yet. It was great visiting with fellow artists and past and potential clients.
All in all a wonderful day celebrating the variety of artistic talent in my community.
Posted in Artwalk, Fellow artists, New work, Uncategorized | No Comments »
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!
Tags: art, commissions, great basin national park, projects, residencies, stained glass, windows
Posted in Public installations, Work in progress | 3 Comments »
November 11th, 2008
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.
Tags: art, aspen, bristlecone pines, commissions, glacier, great basin national park, leaves, projects, residencies, stained glass, Wheeler Peak, windows
Posted in Public installations, Work in progress | No Comments »
November 3rd, 2008
The next panel depicts deer, the base of the peak, more fall foliage and Indian artifacts found in the park. I was able to tour with the park archaeologist earlier in my residency, and used one of the petroglyphs we saw in my design.
Tags: art, commissions, deer, fall foliage, great basin national park, Indian artifacts, petroglyphs, projects, residencies, stained glass, wildlife, windows
Posted in Public installations, Work in progress | 1 Comment »
October 27th, 2008
The remaining four panels include the three largest, and even though my palette is determined and I have plenty of materials, I am certain I will need additional time—which the park readily grants me. I now have until November 15 and I feel much relieved.
Mountain peak and sky
The "heart" and other features
I finish the mountain peak and sky, and start on the three final panels. Each of these has icons of the park included not only in the main body, but in the self-frame margins as well.
The panel with “The Heart of the Mountain;” a geological feature, includes the other half of the cave portion, as if the cavern is hidden under the mountainside. Also included are fruits from the pioneer orchard. The native pine & brilliant fall aspen complete the piece.
Tags: aspen, cave, commissions, fall, great basin national park, mountains, orchard, projects, residencies, sky, stained glass, windows
Posted in Public installations, Work in progress | No Comments »
October 21st, 2008
My final draft is approved by members of the staff; I immediately make my patterns and begin cutting.
This part will progress rapidly, as I can work at my own speed, for as long each day/night as I wish. I have brought 1½ crates of glass with me, as well as many boxes of scrap, so am confident of having all types and colors I need.
First and second panels
Third panel
The first panel I produce includes Indian Paintbrush, a lizard, an Indian relic and Notch Peak. I have designed a “self-frame” around the entire project; I use it quite frequently as I find it gives a finished look to the work.
The second panel—the smallest—is of the Big Dipper, symbolizing the “Night Sky” program featured in many of the National Parks, honoring dark skies, which are becoming a rarity with today’s light pollution.
Fourth panel
The third depicts Lexington Arch and a portion of Lehman Cave, and the fourth is the “Thumb”, the cliffs and sky above that part of the summit.
I am pleased that the finished panels fit into the windows of my cabin, where they will remain until installation.
Even with the freedom from my normal daily life, and being able to set my own work pace doing what I truly love doing, I am beginning to see that it will be impossible to finish this project in the time allotted to me.
Tags: art, Big Dipper, cliffs, commissions, great basin national park, Indian Paintbrush, Indian relics, Lehman Cave, Lexington Arch, lizards, night sky, Notch Peak, projects, residencies, sky, stained glass, wildlife, windows
Posted in Public installations, Work in progress | No Comments »
October 13th, 2008
I begin work on a final drawing to be submitted next week for final approval. I have designed each separate panel to flow into the next, so that all will be part of the whole.
This project is an eight-panel window opening, and a great composition to design within. I am up most mornings before the sun and take time to enjoy the wonders of this area.
Since I live in the shadow of the mountains, the evening falls early, but most days are pleasant enough so that I can work outside for a while and I have frequent visitors wanting to see how the project is progressing.
It has snowed twice, although it melts away by the afternoon.
A highlight this week was being invited to attend the Great Basin Foundation open-house and dinner, where I was introduced to many members, some of whom were instrumental in this area becoming a national park, and have come from out-of-state.
Tags: art, commissions, great basin national park, projects, residencies, stained glass, windows
Posted in Public installations, Work in progress | No Comments »
