Mary Parminter: "Artist of the Month" Feb 14 - March 11

Born and educated in New York, Mary Parminter worked in advertising as a graphic artist before raising her four children. She then attended Stonybrook University and began a new career in medical research at Brookhaven National Laboratory, followed by field work in Public Health.

Having lived on Long Island, with many summers spent camping in New England, and later, after moving to Colorado in 1978, Parminter enjoyed camping throughout the state, as well as in Canada, Alaska, and most of the Lower 48 states. She has always been fascinated and deeply moved by the simple, yet profound, beauty present in God's natural world.

The sketching and painting of animals, both domestic and wild, brings her much pleasure as she delights in the beauty and wisdom they possess, and she marvels at their patience and endurance. By expressing and sharing her observations of the natural world through her art, Parminter is eager for the viewer to enter this special world and linger there long enough to feel nature's presence and to acknowledge its profound impact on our lives.

Parminter is a member of the Cheyenne County Art Guild, and enjoys participating in the CCAG's Annual Art Show, has had the honor of being part of the ANAC Traveling Art Show, and participates regularly in Holyoke's PCAC Annual Art Show. She presently lives in Holyoke, Colorado with her husband, Warren, a retired farmer, and their two beloved dogs, Otis and Lulu. She also enjoys her work at the Heginbotham Library where she has been employed since 2007.

One of Mary Parminter's graphite drawings titled "Charlie" is on display through March 11, 2012 at the Sidney Public Library.  Twelve other drawings and paintings by Parminter are on display at the Cheyenne County Community  Center.  The public is invited to view and enjoy these fine artworks.

Nancy L Biesemeir - Dee: "Artist of the Month" Jan 9 - Feb 13

Nancy L. Biesemeier – Dee

Artist’s Statement

Nancy is a fourth generation resident of the rural plains of Northeastern Colorado.  As a lifelong painter, she especially remembers two Haxton elementary teachers that encouraged her interest in art.  While in college, she attended a local artist’s workshop in watercolor painting and was “hooked”.  After receiving her college degree in Business Education from the University of Northern Colorado and a Masters in Computer Education, Nancy continued to pursue her interests while teaching and raising three sons.  For many years Nancy painted when her schedule allowed and was able to study under several nationally-known watercolorists, including Tony Couch, Stephen Quiller, Nita Engle and Irving Shapiro.  Over the years, she has won several local art awards for her watercolor paintings and developed a strong interest in pastel painting.  Nancy is a member of the Cheyenne County, Wray and Yuma Art Guilds, as well as the Colorado Watercolor Society and Pastel Society of Colorado.

Strong parts of Nancy’s paintings are color relationships and rural subjects.  She loves to capture the flora and landscapes in the rich saturated colors and the vibrant light of NE Colorado.  In addition to paintings and supporting the local arts, Nancy shares her love of watercolor through teaching.

                                                                         


Remembering how she started, Nancy has developed and taught art classes and watercolor workshops.

Her inspiration and dedication comes from a sense of a higher source.  She feels privileged to interpret the mystery and natural beauty of God’s great outdoors through her passion for creative expression.  Nancy lives on their farm south of Paoli with her husband Robert and the youngest of their three sons.

See Nancy's beautiful artwork at the Cheyenne County Rec Center and the Sidney Public Library from January 9 - February 13

January 9th Meeting "Let It Snow"

The January 9th meeting "Let it Snow" will be held at the Cheyenne County Community Center starting at 7:00 p.m.  Wear something white.  Host/Hostess are Hank and Sheila.  Marge will be having the art presentation.  If you can't make the meeting, check out the "Meeting Highlights Page".  I'll post a brief synopsis there.

Let it snow???  The unseasonably warm weather we have been having may have some of us wishing we had a bit of that white stuff ... or not.  When I think of snow I'm reminded of those beautiful winter landscapes; the crunch of snow under your boots, the air so still you can almost hear your own heart beat, so fresh and crisp you wish you could bottle it and open that jar in July.  

I like this time of year - the sunrise is a lot later for one thing so I don't have to get up quite .  A couple of days ago I witnessed one of the most spectacular sunrises - just had to share. 

Sunrise photo taken Jan 3, 2012, taken at about 6:55 a.m.

Paul Rowlett: Artist of the Month Dec 14 - Jan 10

I am currently a student at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. I will be graduating in May with a BFA in graphic design. The majority of my work consists of illustrating a layout for a company then designing the layout on the computer using tools such as Adobe Creative Suite. I work not only with illustration, but also on the computers. I have created many digital works which include videos, graphic layouts, animations, and websites.

My preferred medium for an illustration is charcoal and conté but I also like to use colored pencil, graphite, and cut paper. Within these works, I like to incorporate expressive mark making to enhance the visual affect. The majority of my work consists of images of the outdoors, nature, and people. Some main themes I tend to gravitate towards are hunting, fishing, the country life style, and American military service. As a designer, I emphasize the ability to easily understand and comprehend my work. When I design, I focus on simplicity. The viewer should be able to immediately understand what I am trying to communicate through the design.

I worked on an internship this past semester for CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocate, in Seward. I designed three brochures, two fliers, and their Fall newsletter. I learned a lot about working with clients and how to deal with constantly changing needs and preferences.

At the end of each year Concordia holds a student show exhibiting the best work created that year. I had a number of pieces selected in 2009, 2010, and 2011. I have had two works shown in the New Generation International Exhibition Show in Seol, Korea in 2010. The show was exhibiting work from all around the world and published a book of all the works shown. I exhibited a work in the AIGA Nebraska Annual Design Competition in 2010 and 2011. In 2010 I showed a work in the Cheyenne County Art Guild’s Spring Show. I showed four works at the Cheyenne County Fair in 2009 and in this past fair I showed five works.

Thanks for this honor and I hope you enjoy my work.

Paul Rowlett

See Paul's art works at the Cheyenne County Community Center and the Sidney Public Library until January 10, 2012

CCAG Meeting: Dec. 12 "Simple Pleasures"

Merry Christmas!!!
Hope you're enjoying this beautiful time of year.  It's a time to reflect on, and enjoy the "Simple Pleasures" in life. 

The next CCAG meeting, "Simple Pleasures", will be held Dec. 12, at the Cheyenne County Community Center starting at 7:00 p.m.  Feel free to invite a guest.

Share in the fun - bring a "white elephant" gift to exchange.  This will take the place of our regular program.  Also, please bring a favorite dessert to share.  (and the recipe)

Art Teasers drawn for this month were:  Sunset, Z, Look thru a window, Seasons, Secondary colors, and Fear.  Have fun!!!

Hope to see you there - Stay Warm!!!
Sheila Phelps, CCAG President

Paul G. Adkinson Artist of the Month Nov 15 - Dec15

The Cheyenne County Art Guild has selected Paul Adkinson as Artist of the Month.  Adkinson is a founding member of the CCAG and is a role model for the entire membership.  He is a self-taught artist who learned to paint by reading books, experimenting, and taking workshops by nationally recognized artists.  His enthusiasm for learning new painting techniques and for the love of painting is contagious.

        Imagination plays a big part in Adkinson's paintings, collages, and photography.  He will see or read something or someone will say something that will spark an idea for a painting or an altered photographic artwork.  His artwork evokes emotions in viewers and helps them remember events and good times.  "Art should give the viewer a sense of feeling," Paul said.  He believes that people " experience the sense of imagination, beauty, wonder, and feeling that went into the creative process of an artworks, no matter the medium or the subject."

Paul's artwork has been displayed at the Governor's Mansion in Lincoln; the North American Arts Association Regional Invitational Exhibit in Denver; the Artel State Show in Omaha; the Art and Gift Gallery, North Platte; and the Nebraska Gallery, Bayard; to name a few.

                                                           Paul's artwork has also won many awards including the Museum of Nebraska Art's Purchase Award at the 2009 Association of Nebraska Art Clubs' conference in Kearney.  His watermedia painting titled "Winter's End" is now part of the permanent collection at MONA.  He also won Best of Show at the CCAG Spring art Show with a creative photograph called "Sniffle Bridge".  Previous other honors include Grand Champion in Photography and Grand Champion in Art at the Cheyenne County Fari in '07, the People's Choice Award at the '07 CCAG Spring Show, and the Audrey Towater Award for Colored Photography at the West Nebraska Arts Center's '07 Photography Competion in Scottsbluff.

Paul Adkinson's collage "The Pillars of Life" can be seen at the Sidney Public Library.  Other works of art by Paul can be seen at the Cheyenne County Communtiy Center until December 15, 2011

CCAG Meeting: November 14 "A Thankful Harvest"

Greetings!!!
     The next CCAG meeting, "A Thankful Harvest", will be Nov. 14, at the Cheyenne County Community Center starting at 7:00 p.m.  Milly Elwell well be giving a presentation - drawing still life.  Bring a piece of fruit, veggie, or other interesting piece to draw.  Also, please bring a nonperishable food item to be donated to the local food bank.  Chuck and Milly are host/hostess.
     Art Teasers drawn for this month were:  The golden mean of composition, bales in a meadow, Christmas and babies, shiny, Easter, and billiant sunshine.
     Pat meick is currently featured as "Artist of the Month".  See her art at the Sidney Library, the Community Center, and in the posting below.

Sincerely,
Sheila Phelps,  CCAG President