Backcountry Snow

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to create, both inside my Smiley ArtRoom studio and outside in plein air with artist friends. It's a luxury to breathe in a scene, study it, and attempt to capture the scene and my gratitude for moment in time.

This painting was one of my first plein air scenes from 2016, and one of my favorites. I wonder...is it considered plein air if it was painted inside, through the picture window a cozy cabin at the base of Red Mountain Pass?! I loved the "cheat." The painting sums up the feeling of the weekend of backcountry skiing with girlfriends, while staying at the aptly-named Artist Cabin.

For the first time, I'm offering canvas prints of a few of my favorite paintings. Several people have inquired about more affordable art options, so I'm offering editions of 50 prints of several paintings. These canvases are ready to hang, with a full image wrap on a 1-1/2" frame. Canvas prints are 20-24" at their longest dimension.

All canvas prints, notecards and spiral notebooks will be 20% off on Noel Night, December 1 from 4-7pm, and during our Holiday Art Market, December 2 from 10am - 3pm. Come experience The ArtRoom Collective at the Smiley ArtRoom, 1309 E 3rd Ave, Durango!

Southwest Colorado Gives Day

My longtime client, the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado, spearheads an annual regional effort to promote local participation in Colorado Gives Day, during which donors support of causes they care about through swcogives.org. An optimistic, bright logo and identity was desired to inspire giving during this valuable event. It's fun to see the colorful ads gracing a dozen publications this week!

I'm thankful for their efforts to support our local nonprofits that do so much good in our community!

Southwest Colorado Gives is a safe, secure, and easy platform for donors to contribute online to local nonprofits. Last year on Colorado Gives Day

$53 million was donated statewide, with more than $650,000 going to nonprofits in our five-county region. This year swcogives.org features more than 150 nonprofits that serve youth, the arts, animals, environment, human services, and more. The local giving goal is to exceed $750,000.

Support the causes you care about and keep your dollars local.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING LOCAL!

December 5, 2023 | swcogives.org

Easy as Apple Pie

Although Thanksgiving has passed, I am already looking forward to the next time I make this recipe! Everybody needs a handful of simple recipes that can impress, without a lot of fuss. This is one of them – it is predictably delicious every time I bake it. Dress the top of the pie with a plain crust, or channel your inner artist to create a beautiful lattice top, cookie-cutter cutouts or a splash of hand-cut fall flourishes.

I'm thankful for my childhood neighbor, Mrs. Roessing, who created this recipe years ago. I've never tasted a better apple pie. I've used her filling recipe, and Bette Hagman's pastry recipe for a winning GF/DF pie.

Noel Night!

Come to The ArtRoom Collective at the Smiley Building for merriment, art, gifts and holiday cheer!! Come for the art, stay for the cocoa...

The ArtRoom Collective First Friday Art Crawl NOEL NIGHT is December 1, from 4pm - 7pm at the Smiley. Come talk with local artists, be inspired by creative work, or buy a local, handcrafted item for yourself or a special someone at the Smiley Building at 1309 East Third Avenue in Durango, Colorado.

Live Music from Durango High School students, and an art exhibit from Animas High School will make for an inspiring evening!

The ArtRoom Collective is Durango's working studio gallery where 22 artists create and sell their handmade goods — art, paintings, jewelry, pottery, hats, and more. The Smiley Cafe will be open and offering cocoa specials, coffee and boba beverages and snacks.

The ArtRoom Collective Holiday Art Market

Shop locally for art, special handmade gifts or stocking stuffers! Experience the work of 22 local artists, live holiday music, special offers for warm Smiley Cafe drinks, and more!

You are invited to join The ArtRoom Collective to be inspired by 22 artists' work and do some creative holiday shopping on Saturday, December 2, 10 am to 3 pm at 1309 E. 3rd Avenue in the Smiley Building in downtown Durango.

Summit Church Christmas Offering

Each Christmas, my church, Summit Church, selects several organizations to receive 100% of their Christmas Offering. I'm thankful for the good work they continue to offer our local community and the world. The 2023 Christmas Offering recipients are Summit Early Learning Center, Durango Habitat for Humanity, and the Nyogaya Foundation/Dominion School in Kenya. To learn more about our 2023 offering recipients please view this Summit Church page.

I'll have a donation jar in my Smiley ArtRoom studio #17, and will match the total donation (up to $500) to these worthy organizations. Please give generously!