I am excited to be a part of the 2011 Roaring Fork Open. For those that are interested, I thought that I would share just a few thoughts about the inspiration behind the creation of “American West”.

With such a large subject as “America: Here and Now” for the theme of the 2011 Roaring Fork Open, I decided to narrow down my scope just a bit. Since Colorado is now my home, and since it is the heart of the “American West”, I felt that a title by the same name would be appropriate for my artwork for the RFO.

 I also felt that more than one image could not do justice to “American West”, so I decided to create a collage of several images that I felt was representative of my vision. Of course, an American flag, flying in a strong western breeze, was the centerpiece. Bordering the American flag on the right side is Maroon Bells, probably one of the most photographed locations in the U.S. (judging by the number of photographers from around the world lining the shores of Maroon Lake this past fall colors season). On the left are a group of aspens adorned in their glorious golden fall colors. In between these two icons is a herd of wild stallions running free, one of the symbols of our western heritage.

No artwork about America would be complete without a bald eagle protecting his turf as found in the upper right hand corner. From my Air Force flying background and because the Air Force Academy is located in Colorado, I included the Air Force aerial demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, symbolic of America’s military might, streaking through the sky. Last, but not least, is a hot air balloon with a Colorado emblem lofting over the mountains at the 2011 Aspen-Snowmass Balloon Festival.

A longstanding tradition, the Roaring Fork Open (RFO) is the Aspen Art Museum’s biennial exhibition open to all artists residing between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. The RFO, first held in 1980, encourages local artists to share their work at the Aspen Art Museum, connecting with patrons, museum members, and other artists in the region.

This year, the AAM is excited to collaborate with the America: Now and Here project to engage Roaring Fork artists in a dynamic and creative dialogue about America. The AAM will exhibit 125 new works by Roaring Fork Valley artists that respond to individual experiences, ideas, and points of view about America—igniting creativity, launching thoughtful conversation, and inspiring a bold vision for our shared future.

EXHIBITION: OCT 21–NOV 20, 2011

OPENING RECEPTION: THU, OCT 20, 6–8 p.m.

Participating local artists in the Aspen Art Museum 2011 Roaring Fork Open:

Chris Anderson, Charles Andrade, Fred Annes, Cecilia Anthony, Burnham Arndt, Sheila Babbie, Diana Baker, Mary Ballou, Gail Bartik, Dáša Baušová, Stanley Bell, Joel Belmont, Lili Belmont, Shawn Benton, Mary Bereska, Michael Bonds, MarySue Bonetti, Nathan Bray, April Brooks, Patricia Bukur, Maggie Butler, Amy McDowell Butowicz, Anne Byard, Richard Carter, Brooke Casillas, K Rhynus Cesark, John Cohorst, Shere Coleman, Brian Colley, Barbara E. Courtney, Charles Cunniffe, Khaila Derrington, Staci L. Dickerson, Dennis Dodson, Katalin Domoszlay, John Doyle, Lori Dresner, David Durrance and Dick Durrance II, Lisa Ellena, Connie Engeler, Elizabeth Farson, Marylou T. Felton, Elizabeth Ferrill, Kim Floria, Valerie Forbes, Paul Gannon, Daniel Giese, Willi Goddard, Anne Goldberg, Caren Goodrich, Richard Gordos, Bill Gruenberg, Shelly Hamill, Cindy Hansen, Chris Hassig, Teri Havens, J. Henn-Nordhagen, Kathy Honea, Christie Interlante, Mike Jahn, Sandy Johnson, Steve Kelly, Steve Keohane, Wewer Keohane, Michael Kinsley, Linda Koones, Ross Kribbs, Nancy Kullgren, Jason Lasser, Noel Laxton, Gordon Ledingham, Nicole Levesque, Steve Lewis, Karen YieMei Lindamood, Stuart Lindamood, W. P. Linse, Charmaine Locke, Linda Loeschen, Yalonda Long, Sam Louras, Nancy Lovendahl, Cornelia Madsen, Rick Magnuson, Shelly Safir Marolt, Tori Mitas-Campisi, Cliff Mohwinkel, Steve Mundinger, Nicole Nagel-Gogolak, Patricia Neeb, Brad Reed Nelson, Tracy Nichols, Susan Olsen, Marshall Olsen, Mike Otte, Jim Paussa, Tony Prikryl, Michael Raaum, Mitzi-Jill Rapkin, David Rasmussen Design, Olivia Daane Reische, Suzann Resnick, Jon Rietfors, Andrew Roberts-Gray, Annette Roberts-Gray, Marina Romanov, Jill Sabella, Jill Scher, Jason Schneider, Jason Smith, Carter St. James, Susan Obermeyer Strauss, Sue Binkley Tatem, Lucy Trémols, Carrie Trippe, Michael Tullio, Katie Van Alstine, Mindy Vernon, Georgeann Waggaman, D. J. Watkins, Chrissy White, Janine Whiterell, Bill Wiener, Karl Wolfgang, Eric Wood, Amy Zausmer.

For more information please contact Kelly Carver at 970.925.8050 ext. 13 or kcarver@aspenartmuseum.org.

When we started out early this morning, last night’s fresh new snow covering the surrounding peaks greeted us. We were hoping to get a nice sunrise image at Crested Butte, but the low lying clouds blocked out the sun, so no sunrise shots today. Although it remained cloudy all day, the sun, on occasion, would poke its way through some of the low hanging clouds. When it did, it would present us a brief show of light and shadow over the landscape. Such was the case as we were driving down Gothic Road near Mt. Crested Butte.

The sun happened to find a few holes just as we were passing a group of red orange Aspens with another group of golden Aspens behind. In the backdrop were snow capped peaks with the first snow of the season. The wind was brisk, and was moving the clouds, which gave the effect of the sun whisking across the landscape and pushing the shadow before it. We stopped, set up our gear  hurriedly, and luckily grabbed the shot.

You will see some of these images on our website before the end of the year. Visit us at www.AspenColors.com.

Here we are — “On Location” in the beautiful White River National Forest near Aspen, Colorado, to photograph the glorious fall colors. My favorite time of year. Golden Aspens are everywhere, making for a nice morning of photography.

We started out at Maroons Bells Lake before sunrise this morning. It was a cold, crisp Colorado “bluebird day” with not a cloud in the sky. Although the area around the lake was all decked out in golden fall colors, the wind did not cooperate and the lake was not smooth enough for another beautiful Maroon Bells reflection in the lake. So we decided to hike about. YieMei caught me here in a terrific stand of golden Aspens.

You will see some of these images on our website before the end of the year. Visit us at www.AspenColors.com.

Apen Times Weekend Edition Cover — Labor Day Weekend, Sat, Sep 3, 2011

The “Red Onion” by Mureil Eulich was showcased on the cover of the Sep 3, 2011, Labor Day “Weekend Edition” of the Aspen Times.

Muriel, a Snowmass Village resident, is a popular watercolor artist in both the Aspen area as well as in her hometown of St. Louis. With its soft, but vibrant colors and its nostalgic feel, her watercolor of the “Red Onion” captures the timeless essence of the famous Aspen restaurant. Fine Art Heirloom Limited Editions on Canvas of the “Red Onion” are available in various sizes from www.AspenColors.com.

Bob Boylan with “A Great Find (48“w x 36“h) at Russet’s

Bob Boylan, Carbondale resident and well-known local photographer, begins a one man  exhibit of his Photographic Art at Russet’s, a popular Carbondale restaurant.  Bob is shown in Russet’s standing next to one of his works, “A Great Find”, a beautiful aspen scene with rich, bold, vibrant colors.

“A Great Find” as shown in Russet’s was produced as a framed Heirloom Limited Edition on Canvas by Aspen Colors Studio, a Carbondale Photo Lab. Heirloom Limited Editions on Canvas of “A Great Find” are available in various sizes from www.AspenColors.com .

Image capture for the limited Editions was extremely difficult since YieMei had many layers of black in the original painting, which could create light reflections during the capture process unless extreme care was taken. Eric’s meticulous attention to detail resulted in a spectacular reproduction of YieMei’s exceptional fine art. Eric used a 54 megapixel Mamiya with digital back for the image capture.

 Nature Photographer, Jeffrey Lava, will be one of three featured artists at a Concert and Artist Reception hosted by the Gallery at the J in Austin, TX on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, from 7:00 — 8:30 PM in the JCAA Community Hall.

Rather than a come when you want and see the art, this artists reception is a program with music and an introduction of the artists with short comments by each artist in the auditorium starting at 7:00 PM. Following this reception the gallery will be open for art viewing with the artist present. This should be an interesting evening and different from most art show receptions.

If you cannot attend the artists’ reception, the artworks  are currently on display until April 14. The gallery is open daily with limited hours on Friday PM and Saturday AM.

“Nature: Inside Out” — Art Show — Gallery at the J

Eric Allen, Aspen Colors Graphic Design Associate

Check back soon.