Columns, Opinion

Kaye’s Corner: Art friends

Over our 15 years of selling art at the outdoor fairs (those white tent affairs), I received a huge education on various topics related to art and being a pop-up vendor. In the beginning, I never expected to see these same folks again, but it turns out many artists schedule similar road tours from year to year or have success in certain locations, so they repeat.

Thus, Jay and I became friends with some very talented people and even exchanged art with some of them. The hand-crafted lamp in our living room is a cherished memory of Tom Sayre’s excellent wood turning skills that he gave us in return for a drawing Jay did of him.

We received free CDs from guitar musicians, Greg Hanson and Darren Skanson, who often played in Breckenridge where we were showing art. We loved their live music and could enjoy it again back home. (Still do!)

One of our treasured friends is a gifted painter residing in Kansas whom we met at a restaurant during a brief rain stoppage in Breckenridge. We have visited his home and enjoyed a chat in, of all places, Minneapolis, one of the top-rated shows in the country. He and Jay enjoy phone calls to catch up and commiserate. 

My husband often shopped the jewelry booths on his breaks and thus I received some outstanding one-of-a-kind earrings and pendants. I love the fact that we know the creators personally.

While the artist is required to be present in the booth 100% of these shows, wives are not. In the art business, I am “Vice President of Other Stuff” which means everything from scheduling shows, paying taxes, keeping the website current, editing the monthly newsletter, keeping the artist on schedule, and other duties as required.

At the festivals during slow times, I could wander, meet artists, ask questions, and get quite an art education. When we launched the art business, I started at ground zero. I had no knowledge of the various mediums, how to properly mat drawings, where to acquire information about art festivals … let’s just say I was truly a newbie.

I was curious about the processes of creating items like hand painted silk scarves and batik. The various styles of pottery always fascinated me. A very few people work in paper crafts that end up as sculpture type creations. A few artists specialize in American Native art and I could watch them paint at their booths.

What is print making? How did this artist produce an etching? Tell me more about watercolor. Certainly, I did not become an expert, but gained a huge appreciation for the depth of skill required for each of these specialties.

We’ve met talented sheep milk sourced soap and lotion makers right here in Meeker and I order some every year for friends. Over in nearby DeBeque, a framer using real wood has also become a tremendous resource and buddy. And a Rifle resident is an awesome poet published in Colorado Outdoors. 

In addition to the art festivals, Jay attended a few classes and is again attending online workshops with world-renowned English artist Mike Sibley. This man has published astounding books about how to draw. Plus, he is very gracious with his time, giving feedback to Jay from across the ocean. We count him as a treasured friend.

We hold high regard for all of these artists’ talents. The art world has opened some amazing doors for Jay and me and I am grateful for the ways in which art has enriched our lives.


By KAYE SULLIVAN – Special to the Herald Times

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  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
2 days ago
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3 days ago
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4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
6 days ago
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
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