Here is the image of the demo Sandy Sandy painted at the gallery on Thursday, July 24.

Sandy has a diary and pictures of her July CO trip on her web log at:

http://www.sandysandysweblog.blogspot.com

and

http://www.sketchingeveryday.com

Thanks for sharing, Sandy.

William Rourke Sisson - Eagle Scout

This weekend I take my parents to La Junta, Colorado, for the 75th anniversary of the Koshare Indians - a boy scout troop. My father was a charter member. It will be a bittersweet weekend. So much excitement about seeing lifelong friends. Yet politics are affecting my father's heritage. The family ranch homesteaded in 1870 by Eugene Rourke was threatened by wildfires this summer (Piñon Canyon area). Much of the old ranch went to the military through eminent domain around 1980. Now the Army wants more.

Last year my 88 year old father wrote to several senators and congressmen expressing his concern about the future of southeastern Colorado. His letter was published in the Colorado Springs Gazette. I think it's worth repeating:

In 1870 my grandfather homesteaded in Southeastern Colorado in the Picketwire Canyonlands. As a child I spent many hours riding horseback and exploring the area, from the dinosaur tracks to petroglyphs to remains from Indian fortresses. I was excited when this land was made a national historic site and the area was open for archeologists, paleontologists, historians, and curious citizens to explore.

As a family physician I served in the community of La Junta, Colorado, for twenty-five years, and I am aware of the challenges these citizens face to survive economically. I am also aware how hard ranchers and farmers work to provide food for our country.

During World War II, I served in the Navy and from 1975-1992 I served in the Air Force and then as a civil service physician attached to Air Force bases in Germany, Arkansas, and Texas. I am well aware of the sacrifices military families make for our nation.

I do not believe that the proposed Canyon Expansion is worth the economic or ecological destruction to Southeastern Colorado. As a member of this democracy, I do not believe that we should cause such economic or emotional duress to our fellow citizens.

I am concerned how we will be perceived by the world when we allow our military to destroy our own land, our own citizens homes, our own history, our own prehistoric sites.

Please be fair to our citizens and please preserve this rich area so not only my great-grandchildren but all Americans can enjoy and explore these sites.

Hidden Gifts by Carol Connor

Hidden gifts for us when we purchased the gallery were the artists represented by the gallery - Carol Connor for one. Over the past 15 years we have had the opportunity to influence our artists and to be influenced by them. Whether emerging or established, artists continue to grow and to develop their work or their work becomes flat. As gallery owners we must constantly evaluate the gallery as well. Feedback from our artists helps us just as our feedback helps them. Last week a young mother spent an hour studying the artwork and asking me questions. I encouraged her to keep ahold of her dreams. Children grow up quickly. Then I shared stories of our artists who have juggled motherhood with with art careers - Marin Dobson, Jane Jones, and Donna Rozman, for example. Whether or not an artist has children, she must juggle life with her creative endeavors. Each day offers a multitude of hidden gifts. I have to remind myself to be aware and to appreciate them.

What "Hidden Gifts" have come your way today?

Criss Crossing, oil, by Marin Dobson $1,800, 12 x 36

Honesty prevails making gallery life a pleasure. Let me explain. When Jos came to Crested Butte to find a means for us to make a living here, he found the gallery on the market. It seemed like a dream come true. We'd visited Crested Butte for 15 years as tourists. Now we could be the welcoming business owners rather than the curious customers.

Coming from a more densely populated area, we had gained skills for avoiding pick pockets and the like. What a pleasure to discover the honesty among art lovers. In 15 years we've received one bad check. Our clientele are a delight.

Yesterday we were flabbergasted when a customer thought other customers had stolen her wallet. The accused had left the store - never knowing about the accusation to come. The woman reported the theft at the marshall's office. Soon Ted came by to take a report and to have Jos right up a statement. Tom came to pick up the statement. Jos suggested that the woman would find her wallet when she unpacked her suitcase that evening.

Today Tom came by to let us know that Jos had analyzed the situation correctly. The woman found her wallet in her suitcase. If I'd never lived in an area where theft was a problem, I might not have understood the woman's fears. I'm glad we have such a wonderful clientele. We are sorry that we could not calm this woman's fears. We are glad all turned out well.

Morning Ice, oil by Tim Deibler, $2,200 framed

Summer passes quickly at 9,000 feet. Each morning Jos and I walk our dog and marvel at the array of wildflowers. Before we know it, winter will return and we'll be walking the dog in a variety of whites.

"Morning Ice" captures the attention of other artists when they stop by the gallery. Artists know how difficult it is to portray a winter landscape in variations of white. "If I had the money, I'd buy it," one young artist said. I wanted to give it to him - such was his admiration for the painting.

Art tugs at our hearts when it touches our souls. It's worth saving for. It connects our lives with the artists' lives. Beauty spreads.