St. James: Winner of art contest

MEEKER I The Aspen Ski Company, The Aspen Art Museum and Choose Outdoors, in conjunction with the National Forest Service hosted a plein air painting contest early this year to help celebrate “Colorado’s Gift to the Nation.” The winner of this competition was Cheryl St. James with her oil painting “Awaiting Spring.”
St. James is a fourth generation Colorado native and is primarily a plein air landscape artist. Her inspiration comes from the wide open spaces. She states that “the hunt for the perfect composition is part of the fun!”
“Painting en plein air is always a challenge, never, ever routine! The changing light and weather conditions create a sense of urgency that translates to spontaneous and loose interpretation of the scene, something that is very difficult to achieve in the studio. Besides, it’s a great excuse to be outdoors!” St. James stated.
She works both in oil and watercolor. “Keeping the painting fresh, not overworked, is part of the fun and challenge of a good artist, which is always the goal.”
St. James studied fine art and design at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and the Colorado Institute of Art. She is a current member of The Art Students League of Denver and is a signature member of the Plein Air Artists of Colorado and the Colorado Watercolor Society.
Cheryl St. James will be in Meeker to celebrate Colorado’s Gift to the Nation on Saturday, Nov. 3, and her piece, “Awaiting Spring,” will be on display at the Meeker Hotel and Café during the downtown celebration. Stop by and meet this inspirational artist. Artwork from this year’s competition will be on display at Wendll’s Wondrous Things and Cuppa Joe @ Wendll’s, Meeker Drugs, Inc., the Meeker Hotel and Café and the Upstairs Gallery.