Sometimes we have to make them..
Grand gestures help the little things happen. They work as a team, in painting and in life..
Recently I have stepped up with another artist Allison Blansit, to help  form a Co - Op here in Sonora.   The need was present, lots of talented local artists, good work, no places to show, no one willing to take on the risk and responsibility at this time. We all know how art galleries have been hit hard lately.  Let's face it, luxury items always hit the bottom of the list of needs first.

But back to the grand gesture motif here..
We have a beautiful old building in downtown Historic Sonora, CA. recently vacated. With the support of our local non profit art group, Mother Lode Art Association, Allison and I have raised our hands in a swooping grand gesture to keep art alive and well, even in these harder times.  We have 50 participating artists so far, and we are very excited about it.

The name of the Gallery is Aloft Art Gallery, located at 19  W. Bradford St, Sonora, CA 95370  phone : TBA  Scheduled opening   June 20th 2008

Sometimes art imitates life.. and sometimes the other way around.

Ain't life grand?

Wow! The Sacramento Art Scene was alive and kickin ' this weekend!  The weather was spectacular if not a tad too hot too soon.  There were thousands of fine people touring the galleries , soaking up the music and smiling their way through the evening.

20th St. Art Gallery was a destination point, to be sure... with a live band rocking out in front and a line a block long and a city sidewalk wide, to see the show. It was non stop from 6 to after 10 pm I think.
Who could ask for more.. besides maybe... a cold drink?

I had fun.. met a lot of nice people.. had an excuse to dress up a bit.
Sold a few paintings.. all good.
And as promised the picture!

I am excited to be heading to Sacramento today.  
The first of two receptions for the 50-50-50 art show is tonight! This one is a special viewing for family, friends and collectors.. What a treat! Thank you 20th St. Art Gallery!
I look forward to meeting more of the artists that participated in this show, some of which I have already chatted with on line, and of course seeing ALL the works on the walls.    

Many thanks to my friends, family, and supporters of my work!  The little gems are selling already... which is a nice feeling.

Pictures and updates after the events will be posted next week.

I hope if you are in the area you can ck out this interesting show.

Please go to www.20start.net for more info.

Here it is!  I am real close to finishing.
I particularly like the secondary character with his horse in the background.
Forward cowboy's hat has been a pain, but as I said, I'm close!

Hello again,

I see some of you are cking in to see my finished piece.  I am sorry to say I have maligned it a few times and let it sit for a while, while I painted other pieces. I think today I  feel it is  near done and will take photo and post. 
It was my first of 50 pieces of this size, and I am guessing I was a bit overwhelmed. I have moved through over 20 paintings now, of this size, and am able to come back to it with better understanding.
Thank you for cking back .. I will post what I have tomorrow.  It may need some time for me to finish small parts, but I want to share what I have so far.

Today the light is not good for a photo shoot of this new number one painting. 
Please ck. back soon to see the final results and more paintings for the 50 50 50 show and I do welcome your comments.

Adding more paint to the figures. By now I am painting with the reference photo and the painting right side up. 

Here we see the truer colors in the painting.  And next to the painting is my reference photo. 
I have left out the horses behind the subject horse and am still toying with the idea of including one in the left with a ranch hand.

Here we are with more shapes taking form while varying values to some degree.

Sorry the color is so orange. The flash didn't go off.
Here you see my first drawing in of my subject, which I do with my photo upside down. In this photo the painting is turned right side up for your viewing pleasure..  can you see the horse?