Artist Bios Archives - Page 2 of 29 - Spirits in the Wind Gallery

Susan Slomski

My love for oil painting incorporates my love for the landscape, for color, light and place.

Susan began studying oil painting in high school. Her first large scale still-life won The Golden Key Award from the Boston Globe. A portfolio review of her work won the Blue Ribbon from the Massachusetts College of Art. Susan went on to study fine art, majoring in Fine Art and oil painting at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. There she studied with artists Jeff Elgin and Pat Cauley and minored in Art History. In the late 90’s Susan returned to Worcester, MA for a brief period and studied with professional artist and master color theorist Bill Griffiths at the Worcester Art Museum. Her work with Bill Griffiths strengthened her love for color and color theory which she employs in every piece.

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Susan moved to New Mexico following her Graduate Degree from Lesley College in the early 1990’s to be immersed in the landscape that inspires her and draws her in. In 1999 her work took her to Colorado where the light and landscape continue to shape her work. Susan is a member of the Heritage Fine Arts Guild and a former juried member of the Littleton Artist Guild, both in Littleton, Colorado, where she exhibits work locally.

"In the Company of Giants'An early morning hike in Zion National Park afforded me this view of high canyon walls with the deep shadows of neighboring cliff, Angels Landing. This is the second exploration of this type of composition, something large and dominant in the foreground with a clear, uninhibited blue sky, a variation from compositions that explore the great distances of the west. This painting is created with under painting that I employ in all of my works. Color theory Tetradic Rectangle Triad III is the color palette for this painting. Oil on Canvas 24 x 36 $4000 — “In the Company of Giants”, Framed Oil on Canvas 24×36″ $4000 An early morning hike in Zion National Park afforded me this view of high canyon walls with the deep shadows of neighboring cliff, Angels Landing. This is the second exploration of this type of composition, something large and dominant in the foreground with a clear, uninhibited blue sky, a variation from compositions that explore the great distances of the west. This painting is created with under painting that I employ in all of my works. Color theory Tetradic Rectangle Triad III is the color palette for this painting. Oil on Canvas 24 x 36 $4000

Pedernal ViewThe high desert of norther New Mexico is one of my favorite places. I sat amongst the cholla and chamisa to sketch this view of the Pedernal in Abiquiu, NM. Under painting employed and Color theory Tetradic Rectangle V is used for the palette choices. Oil on Canvas 12 x 24 $2200 — “Pedernal View”, Framed Oil on Canvas $2022 The high desert of norther New Mexico is one of my favorite places. I sat amongst the cholla and chamisa to sketch this view of the Pedernal in Abiquiu, NM. Under painting employed and Color theory Tetradic Rectangle V is used for the palette choices. Oil on Canvas 12 x 24 $2200

“Into the Mystic”, Framed oil on canvas. 18×24 $2400 As evening approached in the high desert, so did too did the storm clouds, creating this dramatic effect of light and a sense of quiet and calm. I loved how the road went off into the distance, drawing me toward what is beyond, what is just out of view, other roads to take and canyons to explore. Under painting and Color Theory Tetradic Rectangle V. Oil on Canvas 18 x 24 $2400

“Winter Visit”, Oil on Board 6×6 $150 Heading out to my studio following a snowfall, I found these small tracks that led toward and away from the bare aspen tree. Capturing the intimacy of this moment, I quickly painted the scene. Heavy paint is applied in an impasto style to capture a gestural feeling. Color Theory Tetradic Square II is used for the color palette. Oil on Canvas 12 x 12 $400

Carl Farmer

CF1-01 Courting Cranes $2800 Height 17 inches, forged/fused copper and steel wire, Patina:Flame, laquer finish on a cherry wood base

CF1-03 Pine Tree $2400 Height 15 inches, Forged, fused steel wire, Patina: Chemical laquer finish, Chalceedony stone base

Scot Fitzgerald

Growing up in rural Colorado, Scot Fitzgerald spent countless hours out enjoying the wonders of the natural world. His fascination with rocks actually led him to a career in chemistry. His professional life has been as an analytical chemist specializing in radiochemistry in the Pacific Northwest, however his heart has remained solidly in the southwest. Over the years Scot has enjoyed woodworking of all kinds and lapidary work (using stones to make jewelry). These hobbies naturally progressed to doing stone inlays in wood turnings which perfectly blends his two loves. Part of the process that Scot appreciates is hiking to find and harvest the wonderful materials he uses. Examples of these include fallen trees and gem stones that he can dig for himself. Scot then combines his abilities of perfection in quality with creativity in design. Natural voids in the wood are filled with stone precisely fitted to their individual openings and each bowl receives a minimum of 20 hand rubbed coats of finish. Like his father Richard Fitzgerald (well known and award winning wood turner), Scot’s designs reflect the southwest Anasazi pottery and culture. Although he prefers to use material that he can harvest in person, he also uses a variety of exotic wood and stone. Scot has long done custom work for friends and family, but now that his father has retired, he is offering his talents to the public.

Scots bowls are a labor of love that demands time and attention to detail. Each one has over 20 coats of hand rubbed finish and sanding between coats.

Wood Vases

SF1-22 Apricot wood and Zooisite (which is a beautiful green mineral with black swirls) 6.6″x 8.5″ $1130

SF1-28 Mulberry wood vase with natural top 5 3/4” x 5 1/8” $1310

SF1-27 Bocote and African Blackwood 4 ½” x 6 ¼” $600

SF1-30 Cherry and Sodalite with natural edge finish 6 ½” x 6 7/8” $1200

SF1-29 Black Walnut, Maple and Calcite 4 ½ “ x 7 ¾” $1310

SF1-21 Maple and Black Palm 5 ½” x 9 ¼” $1200

SF1-24 Mohagany and CO Aspen 2 1/4″x $3/4″ $200

SF1-31 Mesquite and Malachite inlay 6 7/8″x 8 3/8″ $1450

SF1-36 Black Walnut and Chrysocolla 5 1/2″x 8″ $950

Victoria Leen and Austin Nichols

Dawn M. Kloba

DK1-33 “Dreaming” unframed original acrylic on canvas- 11×14 $300 – Collector may request commissioned to larger size for your space

DK1-34 “Red West”- unframed original acrylic on canvas 11×14-$300- Collector may be commissioned to fit your colors or space

DK-36 “Showmanship” 16×20 unframed original acrylic on canvas – $750 Collector has option to send photo and have a custom painting with yourself and your horse.

Custom Pet Portraits-DK-36 “Winchester” 11×14 original oil on gallery wrapped canvas- Client can email a photo of their beloved pet and have the finished work shipped to their residence. $900 plus shipping- Private collection. dmkstudio.klobad.com to see more portraits.

Acrylic Pet Portraits DK1-36 “Paco” original acrylic option 11×14 on Gallery wrap canvas. $750 plus shipping- Private collection

Pet Portraits in Watercolor- Matted and shipped 4×6 $35 or 8×10 $65 Client to email or text image and work will be sent 7-10 days

Pet Portraits in Watercolor- Matted and shipped 4×6 $35 or 8×10 $65

1. “10 Degrees Below” 10″ x 8″ Oil $850. 2. “Atop Red Mountain Pass” 11″ x 14″ Oil $1,650. 3. “Bear Tooth Morning” Beartooth Pass MT. 12″ x 16″ Oil $2,400. 4. “DYNAMIC GLOW” 24″ x 24″ Oil Blake Lockhart Style $2,200. 5. “Fremont Thunder” 24″ x 24″ Oil Blake Style $2,000. 6. “A View for Indian Peaks” 11″ x 14″ Oil $2,300. 7. “Morning in the Kawuneeche Valley” RMNP 11″ x 14″ oil $1,850. 8. “Heartland Sundown” 18″ x 28″ W/C CWS Award Winner $2,900. 9. “Horn Peak Vista” 24″ x 24″ Oil $2,500. 10. “No Place Like Home” 24″ x 24″ Oil $2,500. 11. ” Fertile Ground” 24″ x 24″ Oil $2,500.

Nikki Nienhuis

Artist Statement

Much of my work comes after meditation, writing and contemplation. I create paintings in all varieties- oil, acrylic, mixed media (I love old paper collage), charcoal and ink. I use saturated and muted color combinations along with a lot of touchable texture. I write an intention, poem, lyrics or an affirmation on the base layer that is sometimes still visible in the finished piece. Each subsequent brush stroke sets the message within, increasing the vibrational energy to enable my own healing, joy and peace. Basically, as I paint over the words, I continue to consider them and as I move (painting is a very active process), my energy improves, I feel inspired, and basically my mood and my day feel in alignment with my dreams and desires. That’s the healing aspect of art. Painting is like going into meditation for several hours. I focus on allowing the painting to tell it’s own story, often not knowing the deeper meaning until long after it’s finished. That’s the beauty of art, you can see something new in it everytime you look.

You can read and see a lot more about my process at www.nikkinienhuis.com/about.

Nikki Nienhuis (Golden, CO) was born and raised on the front range of Colorado, where she spent her childhood exploring the surrounding woods, creeks and mesas. After college, she enjoyed 20+ years working in healthcare sales and spent over 10 of those studying at the Art Students’ League of Denver in her free time. In January of 2018, Nikki quit her corporate job to focus on her art practice. She regularly exhibits her work across Colorado. She currently sits as Chair of Foothills Art Center’s Open Studio Group. She was awarded Best Use of Medium at the Golden Arts Week Paint Out in 2018, and more recently, she was the recipient of the Dr Ph. Martin Award at Golden Arts Week Plein Air Event, 2019. Her work is included in the publication “Demystifying the Artist: 27 Artists Discuss What it Really Means to Be An Artist” (Trier, Elinor, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 1st edition 2018, p78-82), and she has been written about in Voyage Denver, the Golden Transcript, Summit Daily News and has been interviewed on Fox31 Denver.

Nikki’s message under layers of thick acrylic brushstrokes reads: “I promise to show up as love”