Blue Jay Fused Art Glass Ornament, by Heidi Riha
Fused glass with copper hanger attached
each piece unique and will vary -call for availability
7″ x 2.5″
$20
HR1-326
Premier Art of the New West
Blue Jay Fused Art Glass Ornament, by Heidi Riha
Fused glass with copper hanger attached
each piece unique and will vary -call for availability
7″ x 2.5″
$20
HR1-326
Randy Christensen grew up in the small Southern Colorado town of Manassa, home to several turquoise mines in Colorado. So it’s no wonder as to why at such an early age he took an interest in turquoise. While still in High School Randy decided to try his hand at cutting turquoise. He would buy rough Morenci Turquoise in Gallup, NM and then hone his skills at cutting the turquoise, after which he’d sell the pieces he had cut to various jewelers. However, it was not until the 90’s that Randy decided to become a silversmith. This began as a hobby while he maintained full-time employment with United Power. But eventually the orders began pouring in and what began as a “hobby” soon became a full-time job in itself just to keep with the orders.
The Villa Grove Turquoise Mine that Randy acquires most of his turquoise from is located in the North end of the San Luis Valley. Randy contacted the then owner George Musick in the early 80’sand they quickly became friends working the mind in the summer. They were only able to gather small nuggets, because they lacked the costly machinery needed to mine the high-grade vein.
Randy purchased the Mine in 2000 from Mr. Musick, whom passed away several years ago. Randy retired from work at United Power, and is focusing on his true passion in life jewelry. There has been no Villa Grove Turquoise on the market for 25 over years. The past two summers Randy has began mining the turquoise for his jewelry, and will be venturing to the mine this summer with the necessary equipment to mine the high- grade vein.
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View Web site for one-of-a-kind Villa Grove Turquoise Jewelry by Randy Christensen, Silversmith
Spirits in the Wind Gallery
1211 Washington Ave., Golden, CO 80401
www.spiritsinthewindgallery.com 303-279-1192
Tribute To Charles Jeffress. Dear Friend and Memorable Artist
May 21, 1920 – October 27, 2014
Dennis and I first saw Mr. Jeffress’s arwork as we traveled to Taos, New Mexico in the late 80’s. It began as a trip together to discover New Mexico which became a habit of love. Our first purchase together was a serigraph, Mr. Jeffress created of Yellowstone National Park; “Early Morning on the Oxbow” from Ledoux Gallery on a side street in Taos. The art world in Taos was thriving and we loved the electricity of collecting.
Our love was seriagraphs by Charles Jeffress.
I decided to leave the corporate world and open an Art Gallery in 1992. I contacted Charles and he was elated that I would select him first and agreed to forward artwork to the new “Spirits in the Wind Gallery”. I danced a jig in the middle of the gallery! He believed in me and thus started the gallery. Twenty One years later, Dennis and I still enjoy the excitement of being surrounded by beautiful art and meeting talented artists. We love the sparkle in peoples eyes as they gaze at their favorite pieces.
Thank you Charles for your faith in Dennis and I and your many years of friendship! Love you!
Charles Jeffress, Printmaker
Despite his mastery of the silk-screen process, Jeffress was a relatively new artist. Printmaking was his fourth career. At 16 he was a licensed pilot, and he later volunteered for duty in World War II, flying in Africa, India, Burma and China. He was a lieutenant colonel when he retired form the Air Force Reserve in 1980 after 40 years of service. After his active duty, he spent 20 years as personnel director and pilot for Roy Martin Lumber Company in Rapides Parish.
At 51, he decided to switch directions, supported by his wife, Jane, he went back to school. He finished an undergraduate art curriculum at Louisiana College, Pineville. Two graduate degrees from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacadoches, Tx later specializing in printmaking and renewing his interest in the Western art and Indian history. Luck stayed with him, and he was invited to join the art faculty at Louisiana College where he taught for additional 11 years. Charles opened his own gallery in Alexandria, LA in 1983.
Spirits in the Wind Gallery
1211 Washington Ave.
Golden, CO 80401
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spiritsinthewind@yahoo.com
303-279-1192
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Gallery
Dawn Kloba, Director
480-334-7744