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Canyon Courier : Wednesday, September
5, 2007
Last Friday Gallery Walk takes art to heart
By
Stephen
Knapp
09/05/2007
So what did you do last
Friday night?
Drive 45 minutes to bowl three frames in rented shoes?
Keep a barstool warm?
Reality (gulp) television?
That’s a pity, because the happening scene was on Main Street at the Last
Friday Gallery Walk,
an artful monthly
alternative to another uninspired weekend evening.
From splendid Central American sculptures and ceramics at Latino Arts, to
finely crafted Southwestern jewelry and textiles at Silver Arrow, to
evocative works by local painters at the Wild Eye Gallery, the
happy hoards
strolling Evergreen’s short, sweet main drag last Friday enjoyed a broad
sampling of
some of the best the
art world has to offer.
At the cooperative Shadow Mountain Gallery, superb works by new members
Brianna Walker of Bailey and Evergreen’s Arlynne Stark held places of
prominence. Brianna creates magic with oil on leather; Arlynne performs
miracles using humble paper. And because nobody can fully appreciate
beauty when peckish, all seven Main Street galleries offered superior
vintages and nourishing snacks to help sustain their guests along the
2-block pilgrimage.
"It used to be First Thursdays, but they changed it to Last Fridays of
every month three months ago," explained Jeff Gilbert of the Holly Berry,
one of many downtown merchants keeping late hours to accommodate the
5-to-8-p.m. crush. "It was a good move, and it benefits the merchants as
much as the galleries. A lot of people will come down on a weekend that
wouldn’t on a work night, and we’re getting
a lot more people up from
Denver. The big thing is that it offers something to keep locals in
Evergreen instead of going down the hill for entertainment."
Kathy and Rick Fasold of Conifer didn’t go looking for fun below 6,000
feet last Friday, and they persuaded some Denver friends to come up and
sample the cultural diversions available along Bear Creek.
"It’s sort of hard to get Denverites into the mountains," Kathy said,
leading her husband out of Evergreen Gallery’s stunning collection of
precious things and into the natural photographic brilliance of the
Timberline. "Evergreen’s so beautiful; I know they’ll really like this."
It’s just possible, of course, that what suits the goose ain’t much with
the gander.
"I love the galleries," Kathy explained. "He doesn’t."
Happily, art comes in many forms, and some of them feature beefy V-8 power
plants and yards of chrome. About the same time the downtown galleries
started revving up on the weekend, Napa Auto Parts owner Rob Walker and
the Evergreen Downtown Business Association put together the Historic
Heart of Evergreen Car Show, a gleaming convocation of classic Detroit
iron guaranteed to keep Mars content while Venus rubs elbows with local
impressionists. Framed by Model A’s, suped-up ’50s roadsters and sleek
‘70s muscle cars, Main Street looked more historical than ever.
"It gives the guys something to do while the gals look at paintings,"
Walker said. "Next month the show’s going to be juried, with prizes for
best classic, best hotrod and best overall."
After scoping carvings, canvasses and cars all evening, some folks decided
to crown their tour with a stop at the Center for the Arts Evergreen,
while others opted for some culinary artistry at a Main Street restaurant.
It was a picture-perfect evening from every angle.
"The last Friday of the month is a good time to be in downtown Evergreen,"
said Mark Anthony King of Stoneheart Gallery. "There’s a lot going on."
June 2007
Mountain Connection
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by Maurissa
Moore
At Stoneheart
Gallery, you will be taken away by one of Evergreen's most intriguing
galleries. To owners Mark Anthony King and Haydee Maria, art is life. They
know how intimidating some galleries can seem and go out of their way to
create a no-pressure environment where the focus is on art, and just
looking is is always a welcome phrase. Both owners are extremely
approachable and like to step back to let the exhibits speak for
themselves.
Just as
trends in the art world continuously evolve so do pieces at Stoneheart
Gallery.
One Year ago
Stoneheart Opened with 10 artists. Now they are proud to have grown to
feature over 25 locally and nationally recognized artists to offer one of
the most diverse collections the mountain community has ever seen. Latest
editions include the works of Jennifer Yoswa and Pedro Saldarriaga.
Mark Anthony
and Haydee Maria take their time when choosing artists, being sure to
choose work that will fit all elements of this inimitable community. With
artists such as Laura Guese, Kevin Scofield and Lance Green, something is
bound to grab your attention. Take a look at Stoneheart's website for more
details on artists and exhibits. Be sure to explore the "Insights" page
where Colorado artist Gary Burditt and his absolutely enchanting writing
desk are featured.
Whether you
are adding to an already established collection or starting from scratch,
the personal service at Stoneheart goes unmatched.
They offer art
that fits all budgets, encouraging anyone to start a new collection. They
go out of their way to ensure your complete satisfaction and would never
sell you a piece that did not fully compliment your home.
If you have a
hard time deciding on a piece Mark Anthony will bring a variety of of
pieces to your home so you can see how each works with your decor. If you
do not find exactly what you desire they will search for for new pieces to
bring into the gallery or will find an artist to work with you to create a
customized piece.
Haydee Maria
and Mark Anthony thank the community of Evergreen for it's tremendous
interest and support. Everyone is invited to Stoneheart's one-year
anniversary reception on Friday June 29th from 5pm until the party ends.
Many of the artists will be available with new pieces as well as food,
refreshments and live music. Ongoing receptions will be held on the last
Friday of everymonth as part of the Last Friday Gallery Walk.
June 26, 2007 Canyon Courier
Evergreen was last stop for Stoneheart owners
By
Anne Hopper-Vickstrom
06/23/2007
Just over a year ago,
Stoneheart Gallery became part of the gallery community in Evergreen.
We had no idea what was going to hit us.
During this past year, owners Mark and Haydee King, who “fell in love with
Evergreen while traveling and just couldn’t bring ourselves to leave,”
launched Stoneheart Gallery with no expertise other than their love of
art. They brought a new vision of art to Evergreen and were the driving
force to make the former First Thursday Gallery Night become, as of June,
and this Friday, the new Last Friday Gallery Night.
“I’m so excited that the Evergreen Gallery organization was open-minded
and community-minded to make this change. Now people can come and enjoy
our galleries and not have to worry about working the next day,” said
Haydee King.
Mark King added: “It seemed like our gallery nights were only a local
event. I want Evergreen to be known regionally and, for that matter,
nationally. We need people outside, as well as those of our community, to
understand just how incredibly diverse and interesting the galleries of
Evergreen are.”
As the Kings celebrate Stoneheart’s first anniversary, “which was actually
in April, but we waited for it to coincide with Last Friday Gallery
Night,” Mark said, they happily look back on the past year and know their
impulse to stay was the right one.
“The past year has been wonderful,” said Mark. “We’ve learned a lot about
different styles of art. Originally we represented artists that we were
drawn to, but artists have taught us a lot this past year. We’ve come to
better understand different techniques, and respect different types of
art.” What Mark King sees most clearly is that “we’ve learned that this
community wants a wide diversity in art. Many people have thanked us for
bringing in art that wasn’t available to them before.
“We started with 10 artists, and today we represent 27.”
The couple live close enough to walk to work, and the Kings have invited
their full slate of artists to join in the fun of Last Friday Gallery
Night. Drop into Stoneheart this Friday and let the artists themselves
explain their techniques and what their works mean to them.
Mark quoted The Galleries of Evergreen mantra, “Come for the Art — Stay
for the Weekend.” The Galleries of Evergreen made the change to encourage
business for not only themselves, but also the local bed and breakfasts,
restaurants and other shops. It is their hope that Last Friday Gallery
Walk will attract people from Denver, Boulder and across the state to
think of Evergreen as a weekend destination.
Anne Hopper Vickstrom writes from her Evergreen home, where she lives with
her husband, three children and her three dogs. She wouldn’t live anywhere
else.
Denver Post, Colorado Creations |
Colorado Sunday
"Nature is speaking through me"
Article Created: 12/22/2006 09:45:46 PM MST
Who: Kym Allison, Alamosa
Medium: Acrylics, pastels, charcoal,
oils, earthen grits, gels, mica on sewn canvas
Her story: More than 10 years ago,
Allison was a structural engineer for Rocky Flats. That was her day job.
By night you could hear her sweet, soothing voice on Front Range radio
stations, and her artistic passion was fed by painting abstracts. Then
Rocky Flats began to downsize an computer-generated drafting began to
replace one of the things she loved most about her job - drawing. The
rush of the city became overwhelming, and she moved to the San Luis
Valley in 1996.
"It was quite a culture shock, but the scenery
and environment ... crept into my psyche." She would spend hours at the
Sand Dunes and nearby wildlife refuge, and soon her paintings began to
take on a different appearance. She calls it Ecocentric Expressionism.
"I feel the environment and nature is speaking through me and it's not
really my interpretation."
Her trademark - sewn canvases - was an
accident. Playing the role of "starving artist," she looked at her stack
of canvas scraps and decided to sew them together. "The seams give me
direction. I draw lines on the canvas, then decide which ones to use for
the seams. After the canvas is sewn, I decide what (the final) work will
be." Her works are smooth-edged and often swirly. She loves the fact
that one of her paintings contained "rocks" that were interpreted as
potatoes in this spud-growing area. The grits - for instance, fine
grains of garnet in an acrylic base - and mica add even more dimension
to the raised seams.
Philosophy: "It's about nature and about
my love of nature, about how I've found deep nurturing, and healing in
its presence."
Cost: $600 to $5,000
Where you can find her work: Stoneheart
Gallery, Evergreen; CultureClash, Salida; occasional shows through the
Steamboat Arts Council; or kymallison.com
New Art at Stoneheart
Anne Hopper Vickstrom - Canyon
Courier - December 3, 2006
An estimated 1500 people that
attended last weekend’s Holiday Walk left with the gift of discovering the
thought-provoking and feel-good art that is featured at Stoneheart
Gallery. If this latest member to the Evergreen Galleries has yet to be
discovered by you, there is no better time to visit than during the
holiday season.
Owners Mark and Haydee King have
intentionally set-out to discover art that is unique to their gallery, and
during the past month they have discovered some of the best.
Kimberly MacArthur Graham and
Bonnie Ferrill Roman, both represented artists at Stoneheart, come
together for a special exhibition this month in collaborative works.
These artists discovered each
other and recognized that their works, both that could be described as
organic, could be great together. The current show at Stoneheart proves
they were right.
Graham “realized I was more
interested in texture than figures. I began to make strange things,
internal, organic textures. I like taking abstract textures and blowing
them up further, like the inside of organic structures.” Her paintings are
presented on canvas structures rather than flat canvases, giving each
piece yet another dimension. “I use oils, and then acrylic paint or
medium, to create seeds and pods. I have recently begun to use metallic
paints to create something that reminds you of nature, but then use really
bright colors. By using colors not found in nature, it’s like creating a
cooler version of what’s really there.”
Roman’s art is mixed media, using
handmade paper and natural twigs to create fascinating wall sculptures and
even organic light covers. It is simply impossible to pass by her work
without stopping and taking it in. Special to this show, Roman has
introduced small vessels that can either rest on a flat surface or hang
from a wall. Each presents natural colors that draw you in to look closer,
where you’ll discover surprises of a feather, a pod, a banana bean, a
peach pit, and even a lock of golden hair.
“People can buy just one or two,”
explained Mark King, “while others may want to purchase enough to cover an
entire wall, like we’ve done here in the gallery.”
The collaborative works are the
best of both. Peering inside a sculpture, the beauty of the textured
canvas is revealed. Painting on the rough textures flatters Nature’s work,
and if it were possible, would even inspire new growth.
In addition to these two artists,
the Kings have brought in some of Evergreen’s favorite artists that have
not been seen in galleries for some time. Bev Endsley’s gentle spirit is
found in both her portrait of a Native American as well as her delicate
image of a nude. Susan Simon’s spirituality is revealed in her paintings
in which she, like Graham, takes painstaking care in creating texture that
speaks from beneath the small figures that dot her canvas. Kathy Beekman’s
chalk pastel landscapes transport the viewer back to their childhoods on
rolling farmlands or retrieve memories of panoramas that stole our breath.
The Kings truly have added
something rich to our gallery community. “When I see new art that I really
like, I figure others will also want it,” said Mark. King himself provides
the gallery with his own outstanding photography.
This is a gallery that
year-round, soothes the soul after a hassled day; but with the holiday
season upon us, it is also a gallery that can provide an unforgettable
gift for hopefully, someone that shares your walls.
Susan Miller Simon
Anne Hopper Vickstrom - Canyon
Courier - December 11, 2006
Stand before
a Susan Simon painting and you cannot help but feel a spiritual presence.
Each painting holds a depth in texture as well as image that mirrors the
spirituality of the woman who turned a simple white canvas into a work of
art that touches the soul. “I like to paint things of beauty; things that
are in my heart and soul,” she said.
Artists
often prepare a canvas with a wash before setting out to paint. Simon
takes this simple task to a new level, working hours and even days to
create the perfect background. She lifted one canvas and held it at arms
length. “I just love the way this turned out,” she smiled. The canvas had
an ochre hue that seemed to move before your eyes, its center, nearly
white as if blending into another space. Never willing to hurry a
painting, “I can have 25 paintings going at a time.”
After
mastering the perfect base, she then paints delicate images that recall
images of petroglyphs of natural objects and animals. While visiting with
her we looked out the studio window, tucked into the forest beside her
home, and saw a deer grazing on winter grass above the snow. It seemed
that even the animals understand the depth of this woman.
“I like to
have themes to my paintings,” she explained. “Art allows us to put
convictions in visual form. I’m not a traditional landscape artist; I’m
more interested in common, small every-day miracles. We all have stories
to tell.” Her Pathfinders series comes “totally out of experiences.
Imagine the story of a butterfly that migrates 1500 miles…” And so, the
butterfly appears on her canvas. After a recent trip to Africa “a zebra
showed up on my canvas.”
Raised in a
traditional home, Simon has found herself on a new path. She truly
embraces elements of many religions, and these elements often are revealed
in her paintings, and lately her new venture of creating strands of
stunning beads.
“I was
raised Catholic, so the Rosary was a part of my life,” she explained.
“These beads are meant to be handled in the same way.” She keeps several
of the large strands, finished off with horse hair, on the table in her
living room. “People will come to visit, and I find they pick them up and
start to touch the beads, handle them, without even realizing what they’re
doing.”
Each bead is
carefully selected. Simon gathers intricate Asian beads that feature tiny
wire designs, volcanic beads, natural stones, glass and even manufactured
beads that recall life in the 50s and 60s. “I intended them to be held,
but one woman told me that she wore hers as a necklace. When her husband
went into surgery, she hung on to the beads to comfort herself. That means
so much to me.”
Simon has
created a life of beauty. Her studio floor is covered with a beautiful
carpet, candles burn and soft music plays. “I don’t watch TV,” she said.
“I read. When my husband is away, I get reclusive.” Simon’s husband,
Peter, is an accomplished concert pianist. Their son Saling spent years
traveling with his father, performing along side him. “Saling took an
early retirement at the age of 16,” Simon laughed. Her daughter Chloe is a
violinist, “and a terrific painter and draftsman.”
Their home
is tucked into the forest with a stunning view of Mt. Evans. Throughout
their home are relics from their travels across the world, each reminding
them of the people and experiences they enjoyed. And throughout it, there
is a peaceful calm that invites guests to slow down and appreciate the
joys of life. Her paintings seem to encapsulate the environment in which
they were created.
Trying to
prepare for the holidays, as well as for yet another upcoming travel
adventure, Simon received a note from one of her galleries that presented
her in a solo show. “I had just sent them a number of pieces, and all of
them sold within the first 48 hours of the show.” The gallery wants more.
It’s a nice problem to have.
Simon’s work
is available locally at the Stoneheart Gallery in Evergreen, 303-674-0565.
September 20, 2006 edition of Canyon Courier
Scofield’s photos veer from the
ordinary
By
Anne Hopper-Vickstrom
09/20/2006
If you’re a little quirky, curious and
ready to experience new and unique things, a visit to the Stoneheart
Gallery is a must. The photographic works of Kevin Scofield are on display
to enjoy, entertain and definitely to provoke thought.
Scofield uses digital photography and then works his magic. “I print on
fine art watercolor paper and apply digital manipulation,” he said. “I
think people frowned on (digital art) at one time, but now they get it.”
This artist brings creativity into photography. “I love to print on
canvas; it takes away the digital-techno feel,” he said. “I’ve also
applied acrylic on it and sometimes gel to create a completely different
feel.”
His education has definitely been applied to his art. He earned a bachelor
of fine art in photography and minored in philosophy. This background
helps explain
the works on display.
Scofield’s sense of humor is obvious in “Deer Creek Saucers,” an image of
fall colors amongst vivid evergreens — with three flying saucers hovering
above a charming mountain home. He then communicates his spiritual side in
“Shaman Shadow,” which takes the viewer’s eye to a shadow image, turning
our back to the actual being.
His art is extreme. From a peaceful Western image of a rope hanging on a
fencepost in “Lasso” to the bizarre, colorful image of an alien peering
through an altered mountain vista in “Middle Earth,” each photographic
image gets thoughts moving.
Scofield has applied his significant talents in other fields as well. He
worked for 10 years as a photojournalist; ran his own freelance
photography business; worked in television, where he earned an Emmy Award;
worked for various TV news affiliations, including NBC, UPN, CBS and FOX;
and currently is a news operations manager at FOX in Denver, where he
manages 30 photojournalists.
Stoneheart Gallery owner Mark King “connected with Scofield the first time
I met him,” he said. “At the opening of the show, people were so
comfortable they were sitting on the floor, relaxing and having great
conversation about Kevin’s art.”
For more information about Kevin Scofield, see www.kevinscofield.com.
Stoneheart Gallery is located on Main Street in Evergreen, across from
Creekside Cellars. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5
p.m., and by appointment Monday and Tuesday. Call 303-670-0565 or visit
www.stoneheartgallery.com.
Anne Hopper Vickstrom writes from her Evergreen
home, where she lives with her husband, three children and two dogs. She
wouldn’t live anywhere else.
April 19, 2006 edition of Canyon Courier
New downtown Stoneheart Gallery warms the
artistic heart
By
Anne Hopper-Vickstrom
04/20/2006
After months of anticipation the brand new
Stoneheart Gallery has opened in downtown Evergreen.
Located at the east end of town, next to Marmalade and across from
Creekside Cellars, Stoneheart Gallery is certain to become a favorite stop
in town. Its spaciousness allows distant viewing of the carefully selected
works of art. “We didn’t hurry this,” said gallery owner Mark Anthony
King. “We spent months and months researching artists and we’re really
happy with those we’re representing.”
Stoneheart is currently showing the works of gouache and soft pastel
artist Laura Guese. Guese will demonstrate her art at the gallery tomorrow
evening, April 20, from 5 to 8 p.m.
“We hope to have demonstrations about every other week,” said King.
Other artists include Evergreen native Kym Allison who describes her mixed
media and oils on sewn canvas art as Ecocentric Expressionism. These
colorful and expressive works have to be seen. Likewise are the three
dimensional works of Bonnie Ferrill-Roman of Arvada. She combines
branches, handmade paper, beeswax, chalk, pastel and natural objects into
wall sculptures that steal the show.
King has filled the opposite far wall with the energetic work of Lance
Green. These works feature western themes with a slap in the face punch of
vivid colors. The steer wrestler’s struggle is seen in his purple face, as
the bull’s dark red eye reveals his own fight. Next to it hangs Anasazi
with a Balloon. These paintings make you smile.
There is also the beauty of King’s own nature photography, revealing in
his photographs what we discover ourselves in a tiny wildflower. Lisa
Ambler, formerly of Evergreen, paints flowers with ‘distracted realism,’
and Ginger Lecher brings landscapes alive with pastels as Eldon Warren
does with oils.
King set out from Chicago just about a year ago “to go traveling for a
year. We loaded our cameras in the car and our first stop was Colorado. A
weekend turned into a month and well,” he said with a shy smile, “now
Evergreen is home.” The art community of Evergreen is glad to hear it.
Stoneheart Gallery is located at 28005 Highway 74. Hours are Wednesday
through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday and Tuesday by appointment.
Call 303-670-0565 or visit
www.stoneheartgallery.com.
April 2006 edition of Mountain Connection
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—STONEHEART GALLERY—
Gallery energizes Evergreen; April 6 grand opening
By Nancie McCormish
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A
spontaneous road trip brought photographers Mark and Haydee King
westward just far enough to find the foothills.
Art
in nature is their inspiration, and the abundance here too exciting
for a simple drive through. Mark King exclaims, “The skies here were
like Santa Fe, like whole new colors in a palette!” Weeks evolved into
months and their original plans disappeared downstream once they gazed
into the silky shimmer of Bear Creek.
This husband and wife team are passionate about the arts, and found
the creative community rooted in Evergreen both nurturing and
captivating. They explored our local galleries, joined one and
ultimately realized they needed more exhibit space and went looking
for something special of their own. They found it along the boardwalk.
Inspired by the location, they named their new gallery for the
prominent granite formations framing the heart of downtown and began
to develop “their” space.
But
the Muse wasn’t finished with them yet. Their original plans once
again diverged in unexpectedly creative directions and Stoneheart
Gallery has taken on a life of its own. Mark explains, “Every door
opened five more,” and the gallery plans expanded to include selected
works by other emerging and established artists who “deserve to shine”
in a warm, friendly gallery. The emphasis will be on original
contemporary works, to add “more flavors to the spice rack” of local
arts offerings for buyers, browsers and collectors.
A
sampling of artists: Marianne Cenko, Angelic Illuminations and Beings
of Light; Kym Allison’s ecocentric expressionism; Laura Guese, works
of gouache and pastels; Eldon Warren’s representational plein air
paintings; the distracted realism of Lisa Ambler; Lance Green’s
expressionistic paintings; Pam Rhoades’ Polaroid lifts. Mark Anthony
King will feature selections from his Colorado wildflower series.
When we spoke, Mark had three more artists scheduled for interviews
that day. His voice was electric with the excitement of bringing more
art to our mountain community. They’ll be open late for “First
Thursdays” and are planning themed exhibits throughout the year.
Don’t miss their grand opening April 6 from noon to 8:30 pm. Come meet
the Kings, their featured artists and experience the new energy of
Stoneheart Gallery.
The
gallery is a member of the Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce.
It is located at 28005 Highway 74 in downtown
Evergreen on the boardwalk. Call 303-670-0565 or visit
www.stoneheartgallery.com.
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Haydee and Mark King
invite you to the grand opening
of Stoneheart Gallery
in Evergreen April 6.
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