Aspen Grove by David William Ridge

Old Colorado City (Colorado Springs) offers a monthly art event, every first Friday of the month, that welcomes all ages and is family friendly.  If you are looking for a way to stretch your legs and learn something new about art, get your walking shoes on and expect to spend at least 2 hours admiring, learning, and considering new art. With 13 venues along Colorado Avenue, from 23rd to 27th Streets, you will find something to peak your interests. Hundreds of artists exhibit work and there is no shortage of styles and techniques.

At Hunter-Wolff Gallery, 2510 W. Colorado Avenue, ArtWalkers have the opportunity to meet many artists.  On May 3, Clifford Bailey, David William Ridge, Pamela Poll, Marlene Kort, and many others will be available to answer questions and explain what they do to create interest …. and sales!  Selling art is their livelihood and I can’t think of a better way to support artists than to come prepared to fall in love with original art and take it home to place in your own home.

Hunter-Wolff Gallery will also have several staff members on hand to help guide you through the gallery if needed and point you in the direction for the next discovery along W. Colorado Avenue.

What do you think of these examples of art work being shown at Friday, May 3 ArtWalk?

Boulder Canyon by David William Ridge

Raku with textured glaze and copper leaf by Marc Jenesel

Open & Shutter Case by Penny Stewart

Glass and Roses by Justin Clements

Be sure to send us comments or ask your questions about ArtWalk by emailing us at staff@HunterWolffGallery.com.  We look forward to seeing you at ArtWalk!

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Colorado Rope Baskets

Embellished with Deer Horn

Not long ago these baskets were just a pile of lifeless lariats tossed aside without a purpose. After thousands of hours working on a ranch, doing dozens of jobs all cowboys and ranchers know about, the lariat just loses its life and is tossed aside.  What does a rope do then?  Like many things, it is given a chance for  a new life.

A sculptor and cowboy named Gary Campbell took one look at those dirty old ropes that just seemed to pile up and decided he had to find a way to breath new life into them. Being an artist  and working cowboy, the lariat had practically lived in his hands for 40 years and he knew how to handle it for ranching purposes.  Now he was going to take on the challenge to handle it in another way — a way that made sense to an artist.

If weavers can make baskets from reeds and fiber, he could make baskets from a rancher’s working ropes. After making a few baskets, he began to picture more elaborate designs and  in a more colorful way and started dying the ropes (with some coaching from  his wife) in shades of red and rust and soft greens and grays.  He wanted to stay true to the southwest color families and keep the colors rich and inviting.  Gary’s been making his baskets for a number of  years, not as long as he trained horses but long enough to have a strong following. Today he handles those lariats with as much expertise as he did when training horses in the corral. We think you will agree when you see his baskets in person. His work is found in fine retail stores and art galleries like Hunter-Wolff Gallery in southern Colorado.  Some baskets have open tops, while other baskets are lidded or embellished with deer or elk horns and bone.

No two baskets are ever alike; they come in all shapes and sizes. Sizes run from small to larger scale and based on complexity can run up to over a $1,000, although the average mid-size basket is closer to $400. It’s time to lasso one of these beauties for yourself!

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There is a definite buzz on the Avenue.  The 2012 ArtWalk season is about to  start, April 6 at 5pm – 8pm.  Brochures are printed, banners are hung, new artwork has arrived.  And, the weather is perfect for strolling the Avenue to explore 17 galleries and more than a dozen open artist’s studios.

For those who have yet joined us during ArtWalk, put it on your calendar today.  Hunter-Wolff Gallery will have live demonstrations each month.  This month, you will witness Gary Vigen in action creating delicate paintings on stained glass surfaces.  These lovely gems are really landscapes created out of all glass; glass fused to glass for a new twist on wall art.  Stop in and ask questions!

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Fresh Water Stick Pearls by Ronee DelBianco

It only takes 30 minutes in a day to make life more enjoyable. Set aside 30 minutes every day and play with your kids or your dog outside. Enjoy the fresh air with some physical activity like walking, cycling, hiking, or exercising to boost your self-esteem and feel alive. Be sure to take time to relax after a busy day by reading a book, scheduling a vacation, enjoying and learning about original art. After your workweek is over, once a month, go to a great event like ArtWalk in Old Colorado City. It is free, relaxing and there are always fabulous people to meet! This month, November 4, you can get a jump on your holiday shopping and see some spectacular art, fine jewelry, and learn about new techniques. Get started with: 1. Play Outside and Exercise 2. Book A Vacation 3. Read A Book 4. Learn and Buy Art 5. Clear Away Clutter on Your Desk 6. Flip Your Mattress 8. Meet An Artist at ArtWalk

Happy people are always doing things.  Be one of them!

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Preparing for ArtWalk might sound like time-consuming, hard work for the galleries but we are having so much fun we hardly notice.  Ina few days, you will see the results of our fun.  This year’s ArtWalk begins April 1  and includes 13 different locations in Old Colorado City.  Not only canArtWalkers enjoy new collections and meet new artists at some of their old favorite spots, but also they will get to explore some new ArtWalk hosts to get the art mojo moving.

Corner Cafe, Paris by Laura Reilly

Blown Glass by Donna Gordon

So what’s new at Hunter-Wolff Gallery? Laura Reilly has several new pieces, capturing what she is so good at— painting street scenes. If you can’t visit Paris this year, you might have to bring Paris home with you. There is nothing like springtime in Paris and her Paris street scenes will  whisk you away in a second. Donna Gordon also delivered a large collection of new glasswork— all free-flowing, fresh colors and irresistible.   Patience Heyl has been spending time working with live models and bringing the human form out of the shadows and into the light. She really makes magic happen on her canvas.  There are oodles more to explore.

Sweet Dreams by Patience Heyl

You are going to find your own favorites and will get jazzed up on being entertained while getting hooked as an ArtWalker.   Veteran ArtWalkers can tell you, “it’s the best way to feed your soul and get your fill of creative energy.” 

Stop by between 5 pm and 8 pm, and we will have a chat about your favorites.

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Awakening 30x40 oil

La Luna 18x24 oil

I can’t help myself; I’m simply a blabber-mouth. When we have great news, it is just impossible for me to keep quiet.  Bloggers are the first to hear the news about one of the finest Colorado artists joining our gallery.  Fran Dodd.  It’s been in the works for months now and finally we are so close, I can’t wait any longer. Remember her name because you will be seeing and hearing a lot about her.  The media will officially receive our news next week for release on May 1, followed by an Opening Reception to the public on May 7. Fran will be available in person to greet guests and unveil her “Color Me Beautiful” collection of oils and pastels. Several from the collection are on the website and available for pre-release sale. The savvy collectors will beat you to the punch so hurry to check it out.

 Why is she so special and creating a stir?  Just look at her art and you need to know little else.  She is a well-decorated artist. If you are looking for her credentials, we have them, but look at her art and who cares about credentials? If I lost all my senses except sight, I would be more than blessed to have her work in my world.  It is powerful.  It lights up your world. It sends you to a happy place. It makes you want more. Only those who have an affinity for black and white (the absence of any color) could disagree.  I invite you to share your reactions after you visit her work.

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It just takes a little excitement to put a smile on everyone’s face. There’s  definite excitement in the air with ArtWalk getting underway this Friday.  Setting up so much new art in the gallery and sharing it with art lovers is exhilarating.  The artists are filled with anticipation and excited to see how art-goers respond.  It’s time to emerge from winter hibernation and experience the excitement firsthand—before the tourists arrive in town looking for Colorado’s “good art prices”. 

The most exciting news is this year’s level of sponsorship and support for ArtWalk.  It’s true that ArtWalk is a popular event yet in an economic slump it is challenging meeting sponsorship goals. Fortunately, many generous sponsors came to our aid, and Ent Business Banking and their enthusiastic team of supporters took on the title sponsorship for ArtWalk. Ent’s Business Sales & Service Advisor Vikki Phillips shared there is excitement at Ent too for being part of the ArtWalk this year. They are a super bunch of people and they know how to make you feel special.  When you stop in at Hunter-Wolff Gallery during ArtWalk, you will get the chance to meet Stacy from Ent and I know there will be new friendships starting from the get-go.

You can learn more about our sponsors at http://www.bestartontheavenue.com/ and by joining us during ArtWalk—if you’re not too busy eye-balling all the great art work. If you do business at Ent, we’d like to hear what you think?  And if you can share tips to get help for events through sponsors, we’d like to know about that too. 

This stamp-sized image of John Sherman’s painting — from his Still Water Series — is amazing on the wall.  Let us know what you think of John’s work.  He’s working on a number of paintings in the series and if you like this one, you will love the others.

Still Water Red Reflection (48x36) by John Sherman

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While wrapping up the year with the final ArtWalk on December 4, we will enjoy the special appearance of Patience Heyl, our newest gallery star. Patience Heyl is also the shining star art instructor at the 5-Star Broadmoor Hotel and destined to be our next most talked about artist. Patience has exhibited her work in Colorado for more than a decade and been invited to exhibit at numerous galleries and special venues. Expanding her reach, she joined Hunter-Wolff Gallery and will be showcasing her “Celebrating the Gift” collection during ArtWalk. Stop in between 5-8 pm for an introduction to Patience, do your early holiday shopping and celebrate the season with us.  Find out which is the original painting in the line-up!

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Do you love being on top of what is happening in the art community? Then you should have ArtWalk on your calendar! It’s the the first Friday of every month through December in Old Colorado City. Check out a dozen or so galleries along W. Colorado Avenue between 24^th and 27^th Streets to see the latest collections and hear the latest news. Be sure to stop in at Hunter-Wolff Gallery!  It’s one of the top galleries in Colorado Springs and you will be glad you spent your evening exploring their award-winning artwork. Whether you are a casual or hard-core collector, ArtWalk is great way to meet some of the gallery artists and their owners and learn about new trends, a wide variety of mediums, and techniques.

More than 400 individual artist’s exhibit work in Old Colorado City’s art galleries—the largest concentration of artists and galleries in Colorado Springs within three city blocks. Put it on your calendar now – 5-8 pm in Old Colorado City.  Parking is free, admission is free and the fun is free!

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