Borrowing Monet's Haystack Trick for the Sangre de Cristos
June 2026 Studio Update
The month started with a bonus— I attended the opening of the Tilting West exhibit at Arvada Center for the Arts in Arvada.
My piece Sundown— above—was selected as part of the show, and was completely inspired by the curation. If you live in the Denver area, I highly recommend visiting the exhibit before it closes in August. Plus—there’s air conditioning!
Sundown is one piece in a series depicting this particular section of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range at various times of day.
This piece was created as part of a triptych (see the other 2 pieces below) where I tried to mimic Monet’s process with his haystacks series– where he took the same subject and repeated the image at various times of day.
My intention in creating the mountain series that includes Sundown is to allow an experience of that massive mountain energy and feel a moment of spaciousness and peacefulness that these mountains– as imposing as they are– allow people to experience when in their presence.
Please reach out if you are traveling near Crestone or the San Luis Valley - we welcome studio visits by appointment. Or find my work in some of these small boutiques off the beaten path.
Plein Air Painting
One of my favorite parts of summer is the chance to get outdoors to paint. I spent a pleasant afternoon recently in Salida under the cool, breezy pergola outside Eye Candy Gallery. This town has become quite the summer destination and they block off the main street to become a pedestrian mall. There is usually something happening at Riverside Park—a concert in the ampitheater, an art fair, FibArk Whitewater Festival—and the general atmosphere is small-town-friendly.
Current + Upcoming Colorado Art Exhibits:
Tilting West: Arvada Center for the Arts, Arvada
through August 23, 2026
Join us for the opening reception of Tilting West Exhibition at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities: Thursday June 4th, 6pm - 9pm.
Details here.
Through Her Eyes: Sawyer Yards, Houston
through July 11, 2026
A juried group exhibit hosted by the Women’s Caucus for Art Texas Chapter and the City of Houston Art Alliance. Join the opening reception June 13th from 5-7pm.
Details here.
Save the Date: 2026 Annual Crestone Artists Open Studio Tour, Crestone
October 3-4, 2026
We are preparing for our annual open studio tour in our tiny southern Colorado town. Mark your calendar and book your rental now!
Details here.
Also…stay tuned for my new book, The Art of Embracing Change! Here’s a preview. If you’d like to support me by being an advance reader, please hit reply or leave a comment and I’ll add you to the list of readers—with special perks of course!
Wishing you a wonderful summer!
Kim
