Goodbye from your 1st CAG Blog and Facebook Editor

I can't believe it....here it is nearly the middle of December and the close of the year,  as is so often the case with our lives, the passage of time mandates change.  I want you to know with the end of December, I am retiring as CAG Blog and Facebook Editor, for both professional and personal demands. (And.... I must tell you... one of those important personal demands is the arrival of our 1st grandchild!!!! Woo Hoo!!!)  

It will be a good thing for the blog, having written over 475 posts, for me to step aside and allow a new editor to run with a new energized view of what's happening at the CAG and the opportunities in our region.  I want all of you to know I have loved getting to know you and getting the news out on both the CAG Blog and Facebook. It's been rewarding personally, professionally and intellectually!  I have met so many wonderful people as a result and will miss the online conversation!  But,  I will also be looking forward to more conversations in the real world!  

With retiring, my greatest wish has been that the CAG news continues and the community is informed about art opportunities!  With that being said,  I want to welcome our new editor, Dana Condel, a talented artist and new member of 2014 CAG board of directors. I'm sure she will do a terrific job carrying on the Blog and Facebook position!  I will be looking forward to supporting her in 2014 and following all the Cheyenne Artists Guild news and FB posts! 

With warm wishes,

Gail Watford
www.gailwatford.com

November Member Meeting welcomes MADE IN WYOMING

Wyoming First & Made in Wyoming

Monday, November 4, 2013 at 7 pm at the 

Cheyenne Artists Guild November Member Meeting

1701 Morrie Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 

Terri Barr from Wyoming First and Made in Wyoming will be giving the program on first Monday, November 4th at 7 pm.  She will bring all the info about how you join, have your art or products put in the yearly catalog. She will also bring catalogs for everyone.

The Wyoming First Program is a way to identify and showcase great products made in Wyoming.  All of the companies call Wyoming their home and are proud of the quality they represent, that they are unique and made in our home state!  Wyoming First is a program of the Wyoming Business Council.

Click on the links to some of our Cheyenne Artists Guild members  

that have already joined Wyoming First & Made in Wyoming:

Tony and Dee James 

Diana Riverstone 

Steve Rodriquez 

Gail Watford  

Come to our November meeting and find out  

how you can become a member also!  

Or you can check out the online information 

at the  WYOMING FIRST- Become a Member page at 

http://wyomingbusiness.org/program/become-a-wyoming-first-member/4751 and http://wyomingbusiness.org/gateway/wyoming-first/4744

As always CAG Member meetings are free and open to the public!

Winners of the 2013 July WESTERN SHOW


BEST OF SHOW 

CAG WESTERN SHOW


"Tug of War" Pastel Painting by Gail Watford

1st Place- Nels Sostrom "Sheep in the Meadow" Oil
2nd Place- Ramona Simonovich "Morning Mist" Oil
3rd Place- Donna Person "Best Friends" Watercolor
Honorable Mention- Barbara J. Short  "How Now Brown Cow" Acrylic
Honorable Mention- Michael Raper  "Just Restin' My Eyes" Acrylic
Honorable Mention- Steve Rodriguez "Aspen Light" Acrylic
Honorable Mention- Ann Sostrom "Cactus" Oil
Honorable Mention- Judy Jacoby-Carved Gourd

 

BEST OF SHOW PHOTOGRAPHY
CAG WESTERN SHOW
"Boots" Photograph by David Larsen 

1st Place Photography- Jeannie Fullmer  "Winter Heaven"
2nd Place Photography- Tony James "Fort Steel"
3rd Place Photography- Tony James "Aspens"
Honorable Mention Photography- Joe Eddins  "Iowa Water Spigot"

_______________________________________________________

We want to thank Mike Beeman, Cheyenne resident and nationally recognized award winning artist who was kind enough to judge the 2013 Western Art Show!!!

Mike Beeman PSA, IAPS-MC

Mike’s interest in art began at an early age while living in Banbury, England.  His neighbor, a portrait artist, sparked a fascination that has influenced him throughout his career. Painting in oils or pastels, in studio or on location, his love for a challenge takes him from figurative work to landscapes to still lifes.  No matter the subject or medium, Mike is focused on capturing the light and creating a mood that will engage the viewer.  His work has been selected in Pastel Journal’s top 100 competitions (2013 Silver Award for still life), the Richeson 75, and International Association of Pastel Societies’ exhibits.  Mike is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America and a member of the IAPS Master Circle.

 

CAG Artist Spotlight- Gail Watford Blog Editor

WIND RIVER REFLECTIONS
9X12 Pastel by Gail Watford

Gail Watford

Cheyenne Artists Guild Blog Editor 2013

Gail Watford graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a BSE in Art in 1975. Through the years living in Arkansas, she worked and displayed her art in various venues. In 2006, a move to Wyoming gave her a renewed energy and fresh perspective of working in pastel. The Cheyenne Artists Guild spurred her to become active in the art community, today she serves on the board as the guild's Blog and Facebook Editor. Gail's artistic journey continues through independent study and workshops.

"As a young girl I was intrigued by imaginary dreamlike images spawned from the stories my mother read to me. Today, I find I am still trying to convey remnants of those "what if" worlds through my independent studies and artistic expressions. I find I always lean toward capturing a mood, emotion or atmosphere through the use of splashes of color- soft and subtle or bright and bold. Having the opportunity to capture glimpses of the world in which we live is a thrilling adventure. Whether it is painting a child asleep, a beautiful mountain lake, or a high plains vista, I easily find the inspiration to reach for my pastels and begin a new creation."

To inquire about Gail's work email her at 

gwatford33@hotmail.com   

Sign up for her blog at 
www.gailwatford.blogspot.com

Visit her Website at:  gailwatford.com

ASTERS AND IVY
9X12 Pastel
by Gail Watford

REFLECTIONS ON THE LAKE
9x12 Pastel
by Gail Watford

REMEMBRANCE OF THE ABSENCE OF JOY
18X24 Pastel
by Gail Watford

NIGHT AT THE SYMPHONY 3
5x7  Ink Drawing framed 8x10
by Gail Watford

Gail Watford & Vanda Edington- November Art Design and Dine

"Marvelous Miniatures
and Masterpieces"

Paintings by 

Gail Watford 
and Vanda Edington

Art Design and Dine

November 8th from 5-8 PM

Nagle Warren Mansion 

222 East 17th Street

Cheyenne, WY  

The pastel duo of Vanda Edington and Gail Watford, Cheyenne Artist Guild members, will be showing their work for Art Design and Dine once again this November at the gallery in the Nagle Warren Mansion. This year their show will be made up of miniatures and a few larger pieces to finish off the exhibit. Expect to see a little bit of everything in the show from floral paintings to wildlife as well as landscapes.  Both Vanda and Gail work in an impressionist style and invite you to come enjoy an evening of their art and the hospitality of Nagle Warren. 

"Mountain Bluebird"
Pastel Painting by Gail Watford
gailwatford.com
gailwatford.blogspot.com

Gail Watford attended the University of Central Arkansas obtaining a BSE in Art. Through the years she has continued her education with classes and independent study at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith as well as workshops with artists Terri Lombardi, Pattie Andre', Linda Lilligraven, Jeannie Mackenzie, Terrie Gortmaker, Mike Beeman and Jim Wilcox. Gail is on the board of the Cheyenne Artists Guild as Blog Editor and a signature member of the Pastel Society of Colorado. For more information contact Gail through her website at http://www.gailwatford.com/ or her blog at http://gailwatford.blogspot.com/.

__________________

"Enthralled with Pink"
Pastel Painting by Vanda Edington
vandaedington.blogspot.com 

Words from Vanda about her art, "Creating a visual image, a communication that evokes positive emotion – first for me and then others – is what art means to me. It is the personal expression of fleeting thought, whimsy, a smile, a beautiful day. I have dabbled in art in previous decades only to move on to the more pressing elements of life. My current exploration in art began with crafting paper cards. The words and textures were received with gratitude, inspiring me to continue crafting and creating outside of a small card face.

My journey in art is eclectic as I have not found one medium to confine my attention. Paper, words and textures intrigue me. Metallic, embellishment, layering, irradiance, and expressions - all capture my imagination and inspire abstract images. Painting in pastel is my current infatuation, drawing on inspiration from workshops, travel and other artists as I discover my visual voice."

One Quick Fix for Your Artist Statement

"Memories of Cafe Du Monde" Pastel Painting by Gail Watford
http://www.gailwatford.com/

Once you decide you want your art creations other places besides your extra bedroom, the very first thing you have to do is write the dreaded artist statement!  As I talk to other artists we all cringe in having to write about ourselves and explain what we do. Recently, I reread and appreciated Alyson Stanfield's observations and pointers in her May 23, 2012 post "5 Painless Fixes for a More Potent Artist Statement".   Some of you may have attended  Denver Art Biz Coach, Alyson Stanfield's, workshops or own some of her products like her book "I'd Rather Be In the Studio".  Personally, I attended her workshop in Laramie this past spring and subscribe to her blog at http://www.artbizblog.com/.  She has wealth of ideas to keep artists organized, working more hours in the studio and marketing their art more efficiently!  In her May post about improving your artist statement I found some easy pointers to help in writing.  I hadn't given it any thought before, but realized Alyson was so correct in her suggestions. She made me think about just how many times the word unique is used in the world of art and why it should be avoided.  This hint as well as others on her blog may be of interest to you, also.  Here is an excerpt from her post where Alyson explains why not to use the word "unique".  

1. Don’t say your art is unique.

“Unique” doesn't mean anything and, odds are, your work isn't.  Almost all art is derivative of other work and anyone who knows art history can point to an artist who did it first,  place your art in that context.  But your work does have qualities that make it yours rather than someone else’s. Instead of using the word “unique", describe your work in a way that makes the reader think it’s unique.

For the rest of the hints, check out the post at

 http://www.artbizblog.com/2012/05/statement-fixes.html.

CAG Members Watford and Edington show Art At Nagle Warren

"Marvelous Miniatures
and Masterpieces"

Paintings by 

Gail Watford 
and Vanda Edington

Art Design and Dine

November 8th from 5-8 PM

Nagle Warren Mansion 

222 East 17th Street

Cheyenne, WY  

The pastel duo of Vanda Edington and Gail Watford, CAG members, will be showing their work for Art, Design and Dine once again this November at the gallery in Nagle Warren Mansion. This year their show will be made up of miniatures and a few larger pieces to finish off the exhibit. Expect to see a little bit of everything in the show from floral paintings to wildlife as well as landscapes.  Both Vanda and Gail work in an impressionist style and invite you to come enjoy an evening of their art and the hospitality of Nagle Warren. 

"Enthralled with Pink"
Pastel Painting by
Vanda Edington
vandaedington.blogspot.com 

Words from Vanda about her art, "Creating a visual image, a communication that evokes positive emotion – first for me and then others – is what art means to me. It is the personal expression of fleeting thought, whimsy, a smile, a beautiful day. I have dabbled in art in previous decades only to move on to the more pressing elements of life. My current exploration in art began with crafting paper cards. The words and textures were received with gratitude, inspiring me to continue crafting and creating outside of a small card face.  My journey in art is eclectic as I have not found one medium to confine my attention. Paper, words and textures intrigue me. Metallic, embellishment, layering, irradiance, and expressions - all capture my imagination and inspire abstract images. Painting in pastel is my current infatuation, drawing on inspiration from workshops, travel and other artists as I discover my visual voice."

__________

"Mountain Bluebird"
Pastel Painting by Gail Watford 
gailwatford.com
gailwatford.blogspot.com

Gail Watford attended the University of Central Arkansas obtaining a BSE in Art. Through the years she has continued her education with classes and independent study at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith as well as workshops with artists Terri Lombardi, Pattie Andre', Linda Lilligraven, Jeannie Mackenzie, Terrie Gortmaker, Mike Beeman and Jim Wilcox. Gail is on the board of the Cheyenne Artists Guild as Blog Editor and a signature member of the Pastel Society of Colorado. For more information contact Gail through her website at http://www.gailwatford.com/ or her blog at http://gailwatford.blogspot.com/.

__________________

CAG Member, Gail Watford at the Wyoming Made Store

"Indian Paintbrush"
5x7 Framed Pastel Painting by Gail Watford
$74.00

Hi friends and followers of the CAG Blog!
Being the CAG Blog editor and keeping southern Wyoming informed on visual art events hasn't allowed me much time to let you know about my personal art endeavors.  For the last few months my days have been packed with my latest project! Back early in the spring, I became part of the "Wyoming First Program" through the Wyoming Business Council. One of the opportunities available for members with Wyoming First is to take part in the Wyoming Made General Mercantile at Cheyenne Frontier Days and the Wyoming State Fair.   It's been a fun learning experience for me painting, preparing and packaging my work for the store. To let you know the kinds of thinks I have been painting, I've included a few of the 5x7 pieces that will be available. Some of my art will be framed and some is unframed.  I will also have prints of my work on note cards and mugs.   While your out taking in all the excitement at CFD, I would like to invite you to drop by the store and see some of my latest work as well as other great products from Wyoming businesses around the state. At the store also be sure to check out the art of another CAG member, Tony James, photographer, who will also be showing his work at the mercantile!

By the way, for those of you that have never been to the "Wyoming Made General Mercantile" at Cheyenne Frontier Days, it will be open every day at Wild Horse Gulch  from 11am to 8pm, July 20-29, 2012. One of the best things about Wild Horse Gulch is there is no admission! It's one of my favorite places to go during Frontier Days. Always a good time, with creative fun things to do and purchase!  I always come home with some uniquely Wyoming style purchases!  You might want to check out a 30 second video on this link, Wild Horse Gulch Video to get a taste of the atmosphere.  Hope to see you there!

Gail Watford PSC

Cheyenne Artists Guild Blog, Editor
http://cheyenneartistsguild.blogspot.com/
To see more of my art check out my website or sign up for my blog at:
www.gailwatford.com
www.gailwatford.blogspot.com

"Mountain Bluebird" 5x7 Framed Pastel Painting by Gail Watford
$74.00

"Meadowlark" 5x7 Framed Pastel Painting by Gail Watford
$74.00

CAG Members Receive Awards at the 2012 Wyoming Artists Association Convention

Mike Beeman explains the elements of still life painting during
the workshop at the 2012 Wyoming Artists Association Convention.

Finished painting from workshop    
 by Mike Beeman

This past May 4th through May 6th the Wyoming Artists Association Convention was held in Cheyenne at the Old West Museum.  Friday afternoon artists from over the state of Wyoming brought their paintings and sculpture entering into 8 categories as well as competing for the coveted awards in Congressional, Governors, Best of Show and Peoples Choice. Friday evening artists donated 6x6 inch paintings for the silent auction.  Also that evening, a quick draw was held with a live auction. Saturday, artists Mike Beeman (pastels and oils) and Joan Fullerton (watercolor landscapes) taught workshops as the Wyoming artists' work were judged by Cheyenne gallery owner, Harvey Deselms. Later that day paintings and sculptures were awarded with  ribbons.  A banquet with music was held at the Plains Hotel Saturday evening. The convention wrapped up Sunday with the completion of the workshops and the last award of Peoples Choice was presented.  If your a Wyoming artist you should mark your calendar to join in on the tradition in 2013, the convention will once again be in Cheyenne!

Listed below are artists receiving awards at the 2012 Wyoming Artists Association Convention  in the following categories, Cheyenne Artists Guild members are listed in red:

BEST IN SHOW

GISELE  ROBINSON

GOVERNORS AWARD

The painting by this artist will hang in Wyoming Governors Matt Mead's office for the next year.

JEANIE SCHLUMP

CONGRESSIONAL AWARDS 

Three paintings receiving this award will hang for the next year in Washington DC at the Wyoming Congressional Offices of Senators Mike Enzi, John Barrasso and Representative, Cynthia Lummis.  One painting created by each of the following artists were chosen.

GAIL WATFORD

LAUREL FOGG

MACK BRISLAWN

1st Place Oil/Acrylic goes to Gisele Robinson

OIL/ACRYLIC

1st-  GISELE ROBINSON

2nd- KAY MEEKS

3rd-  MACK BRISLAWN                     

Honorable Mention- 

SUE MILLER

Honorable Mention-  

JEANIE SCHLUMP

  

"Key Limes and Clementines" 
Watercolor 1st Place by Jeanie Schlump

WATERCOLOR

1st- JEANIE SCHLUMP

2nd- STEVE RODRIGUEZ

3rd- BARBARA RIEMAN

OTHER MEDIA

1st- J. PENNEL

2nd- PAT BUTERA

3rd-  CHARMIAN  MCLELLAN

"Night at the Symphony"
Graphics 1st Place by Gail Watford

GRAPHICS

1st- GAIL WATFORD

2nd- MACK BRISLAWN

3rd-  KAY MEEKS

THEME SHOW

1st- GISELLE ROBINSON

2nd- RUTH RAWHOUSER

3rd- STEVE RODRIGUEZ

"Gracious Pinks"
Pastel 1st Place by Ibby Davis

PASTEL

1st- IBBY DAVIS

2nd-  JEANIE SCHLUMP

3rd-  BARBARA RIEMAN

Honorable Mention- LAUREL FOGG

SCULPTURE

1st-  DEON QUITBERG

2nd-  AMANDA QUITBERG
                        

"Moose Profile"
1st Place Miniature by Ruth Rawhouser

MINIATURE

1st- RUTH RAWHOUSER

2nd-  BARBARA RIEMAN

3rd-  HELEN RUTZ

PEOPLES CHOICE

GISELE  ROBINSON          

RAilART Show

THE POWER OF HOPE  Oil Painting by Patricia Amen

The World Famous Union Central and 

Northern HOn3 Model Railroad Layout and

RailART Show 

Grand Opening and Reception at 

5 pm, Thursday, May 17, 2012

Congratulations go out to Cheyenne Artists Guild members, Patricia Amen, Jeanie Schlump and Gail Watford, juried in to the RailART show. The RailArt Show can be viewed at the Cheyenne Depot Museum from May 19-July 29.

CAG Members, Vanda Edington and Gail Watford Exhibit "Pure Pigment" at Works of Wyoming

To see more of Vanda and Gail's work
check out the following links to their blogs and websites at:

http://www.gailwatford.com/
http://gailwatford.blogspot.com/
http://vandaedington.blogspot.com/ 

Congratulations CAG Members Juried into the Western Spirit Art Show At the Old West Museum

Congratulations goes out to the following CAG members that were juried into the Western Spirit Art Show and Sale at the Old West Museum in Cheyenne. If you haven't been out to see the show you have until April 15th to check out one of the best shows in the region!

• Crystal Lawrence - Laramie, WY
• Molly Box - Cheyenne, WY
• Vanda Edington Cheyenne, WY
• Mike Brislawn - Laramie, WY
• Connie Johns - Cheyenne, WY
• Ted McCoy - Cheyenne, WY
• Mike McIntosh - Cheyenne, WY
• Winn Ratz - Cheyenne, WY
• Georgia Rowswell - Cheyenne, WY 
• Jeanie Schlump - Laramie, WY
• Gail Watford - Cheyenne, WY

Check out the Western Spirit 2012 Art Show and Sale link at:  http://www.oldwestmuseum.org/western_spirit_art_show_2012.aspx

Cheyenne Frontier Days "Old West Museum"
Frontier Park 4610 North Carey Ave, Cheyenne WY

Cheyenne Artists Guild Members Win Awards at the RSVP ArtFest

Saturday, November 19, Denver artist Eric Matelski judged and presented the following awards to CAG members during the 2011 RSVP ArtFest Reception at the Laramie Country Library in Cheyenne, WY. Cheyenne Artists Guild's own, Tony James also judged and presented photography awards in the categories of Scenic, Wildlife and Creative as well as presenting Best of Show in Photography.  To see all the award winners as well as other CAG members work be sure to and visit the library between now and December 18th during regular library hours.

CAG MEMBERS RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING AWARDS:

SCULPTURE:

1st Place-   "Rising to Damsels"  by Tom Mulhern

3rd Place-  "Flower Girl" by  Barbara Wolf

PAINTING:

BEST OF SHOW:   "Yellow is the Color" by Michael McIntosh

OIL:

1st Place- "40 Below" by Michael McIntosh

PASTEL:

1st Place- "Autumn Again" by Vanda Edington

3rd Place- "Reflections on the Lake" by Gail Watford

MIXED MEDIA:

1st Place- "Cougar Country" by Diana Riverstone

2nd Place- "Full Metal Jacket" by Gail Watford

3rd Place- "Scrap Ladies" by Donna Person

ACRYLIC:

1st Place- "This is My Land" by Michael Raper

3nd Place- "Clean Air" by Donna Person

Honorable Mention-  "Nice Itch" by Steve Rodriquez

PHOTOGRAPHY:

CREATIVE:

1st Place- "Pot" by Eugene Schumacher