Ron Nordyke - July Artist of the Month

On display at the Sidney Public Library and the Cheyenne County Community Center until Aug 10^th are paintings by Ron Nordyke of Chappell.  Some of the paintings at the Center are from a series of “hand, quilt and sky” pieces called the Time-Life Quilt series.  Each painting expresses a time of day which coincides with a time of life.  For example a 6:00 a.m. sky and the hand of a newborn on a baby blanket quilt.  A 9:00 p.m. sunset with the hand of a his 84 year old Mother-in-law on a “States Quilt” with her hand across the Nebraska block, a state where she was born and raised.  Her hand showing the signs of a life of endless working, cooking, loving, writing, washing, serving, dancing and somewhat reshaped by the presence of arthritis.  This series of paintings appear to be landscapes.  

 

"Life's Little Ups and Downs"

As a small child all Nordyke dreamed of being was an artist.  After graduating with a BFA from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Ron spent over twenty years in the upholstery business with his wife Dianne.   In 1992 he began a new career teaching Art for the Chappell Nebraska Public Schools giving him incentive and more time to paint.   Since then he has focused on painting many subjects, commissions, and murals mainly in acrylics.

     Recognized regionally for his “Landscape Quilt” paintings Ron Nordyke is continually using the juxtaposition of objects and ideas to create visual metaphors in his works.   Whether he’s working with his art students on a community project, on a commission, or his own work,  he’s searching for “meaning”.   A love of art has kept him searching and creating with his hands since he was a small child.   His works don’t actually fit into any category. He enjoys the awesome beauty of a sky, a landscape, a face, or just something old, weathered, and worn.  In some ways they are a lot like the quilts he paints; a little piece of this and a scrap of that.  Just as quilts are laid out in patterns of simple repeating shapes, his art has some of these themes that reoccur regularly,… and life is a lot like that.  Looking for ways to visually express the overlapping of the “natural” God-created world and the “man-made world” fuels his artistic fire.

   Like a composer of music he’s looking for that “hook” that will cause you to look and think deeper.  In his own words, “I like to think I’m portraying our common  heritage by way of visual images.”  Many of these ideals are universal: the value of  hard work and fine craft; the virtue and strength of character that comes from age; the freedom and energy of youth; the awesome regenerating power of faith; the magnificent beauty and diversity of creation; even the thoughts and emotions linked to images from our collective past.  He uses common ordinary objects and presents them in thought provoking compositions creating visual metaphors.  In addition to Ron Nordyke's display of artwork at the Sidney Public Library and the Cheyenne County Community Center more of his artwork can be viewed at rnordyke.com.

CONGRATULATIONS CCAG MEMBER NANCY DEE!!!!

CCAG MEMBER NANCY DEE WINS 2ND PLACE IN INTERNATIONAL SHOW

"Morgan County Angular Moment"  (Pastel Painting)

The Mile High International Pastel Exhibit recently informed Nancy Dee of Haxtun, CO, a Cheyenne County Art Guild member, that her pastel painting "Morgan County Angular Moment" received a 2nd Place Award in the 10th Annual Mile High International Pastel Exhibition being held at the Denver Public Library in Denver, CO.   Dee's artwork was also chosen by the Denver Public Library's graphic designer to be one of four displayed on the "poster" for the event.

In addition three important milestones are happening concurrently with this show in Denver.  This year is the 10th Anniverssary of the Pastel Society of Colorado (PSC) hosting the show, the 20th Anniversary of the Pastel Society of Colorado, and the 125th Anniversary of the Denver Public Library.  Because of all the anniversaries, the PSC askedd several of the previous judges of this show to display a painting as part of the exhibit.  These past judges are a "Who's Who" of celebrities in the national pastel painting world according to a press release issued by the Pastel Society of Colorado.

The 10th annual Mile High International Pastel Exhibition is on the seventh floor of the Denver Public Library in the Vida Ellison Art Gallery.
Gallery hours: Mon - Fri, 10 AM - 5 PM, Sat. 9 AM - 5 PM, and Sun. 1 - 5 PM.  Nancy Dee said,  "If you get a chance, this is a great show (to see) and if you have any interest in pastel, don't miss it."  The show closes August 30, 2014.

The Cheyenne County Art Guild congratulates Nancy Dee on this fine award and accomplishment!  For more information about the Pastel Society of Colorado go to www.pastelsocietyofcolorado.org.  To see more of Nancy Dee’s work go to www.frenchmancreek.com.

May Artist of the Month: Ben Darling

A Sidney resident since 1997, Mr. Darling is the middle school and upper elementary art teacher for Sidney Public Schools. Darling also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the Sidney Campus of WNCC, offering courses in painting and drawing. He has had numerous residencies with the Nebraska Arts Council Artist in the Schools and Communities program and toured shows with the Nebraska Touring Program. In 2004 he received a Masters Degree in Education from UNK.

Darling is known for his landscape paintings which can be found in many private and public collections.  The appeal of the changing light and interaction between the weather and the land keeps him out and looking for subject matter.  Ninety percent of the time his work is started on location.  Sketched in with oil paint on canvas, the paintings are then completed in the studio.  His recent drawings are of local wild flowers, generally started from life and finished in pastel and colored pencil.  He also does theatrical painting for Way Out West, and has helped with the High School musicals and one act plays as a scenic artist.

With some of his spare time he makes hand built pottery, most often using the coil and paddle method.  Darling also enjoys bicycling, backpacking, hiking and gardening. 

Darling's work will be on display at the CCCC and the Sidney Public Library through June 9, 2014.  The public is encouraged to view his fine artworks! 

Pat Albers: June Artist of the Month

The Cheyenne County Art Guild has selected Pat Albers as the June Artist of the Month.  Albers has fun doing art and creates artworks just for the pure joy of it.  She did a little art while in high school several years ago and didn't do much with her creativity until after her husband passed away six years ago.  Since then she is enjoying painting whatever catches her eye.  When asked what her favorite subject matter was, she stated, " Whatever comes to mind."  She has painted on paper and canvas but doesn't let a stray piece of burlap or slate go to waste either.  "When something sparks my imagination," she said, "I go with it!" 
Alber's favorite media are acrylic paints and oil pastels.  Her creative artworks of landscapes, flowers, etc. are happily shared and given away to family and friends  One of her artworks won a First Place Award at the CCAG Spring Art Show in April and was one of over 350 artworks in the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs Annual Conference June 11-14, 2014, in McCook, NE.
After moving to Sidney from Council Bluffs, IA, Albers has enjoyed the exchange of art ideas and fun with other artists of the Cheyenne County Art Guild of which she is a member.  She also works at the Fort Sidney Museum during the summertime where she paints original postcards in her spare time.  

Pat Albers' acrylic painting titled "A Walk with Jesus" is on display now through July 13, 2014 at the Sidney Public Library.  Twelve other artworks of Albers are on display at the Cheyenne County Community Center.  The public is encouraged to view these creative and joyful artworks.

Annual Spring Art Show

The CCAG is proud to announce their annual art show.

Location: Cheyenne Co. Community Center
April 1 - Entries Due (mail or email to Chuck)
April 3 (Thur) 5p-7p enter art work
April 4 (Fri) 9a-11:30a judging
11:30a-12:30p critique
5-8 artist’s reception
April 5 (Sat) 9a – 7p Open to Public
April 6 (Sun) 12p-4:30p Open to Public
4:30p-5p take down show

Cindi Egging: Feb/March Artist of the Month

OOOPS!!!  Seems that there was an error in info transfer.  Will fix this and get it posted ASAP!!!

Ann Darling: January Artist of the Month

The Cheyenne County Art Guild has selected local artist Ann Darling as Artist of the Month.  Darling is a life-long resident of Cheyenne County, a graduate of Sidney High School, and holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts, a Master of Education Degree from the University of Nebraska and a Master of Science in Instructional Technology from the University of Nebraska, Kearney.  And in Nov 2006, she earned National Certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.  Darling teaches general art, 3D design, multimedia, graphic design and web design classes at Sidney Public Schools.  As an adjunct instructor at WNCC - Sidney Center, she has taught watercolor, drawing, design fundamentals, graphic design, and elementary art methods.

Ann has been a member of the CCAG since 1994 and has shown her artwork in the CCAG Spring Show, the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs Converence, and many other art shows.  Awards for her artwork include CCAG People's Choie in 2006, Reserve Grand Champion at the Cheyenne County Fair in 2005, Honorable Mention at the ANAC Conference in  1997, and many other awards.

Amaryllis - Belladona

Most often working in colored pencil, Darling once mentioned that she enjoys drawing the unique and interesting things that people ofter overlook or take for granted - "The things in the nooks and crannies of places -- the backyard, nature, etc."  Her expertly rendered stalks of rhubarb drawing (and many other drawings) attest to this and end in an artwork that opens people's eyes to the beauty around them. 

Her most recent work on display at the Sidney Public Library is a colored pencil exploration of antique paper and the flower "Amaryllis Belladonna."  Ann Darling has twelve other artworks on display at the Cheyenne County Community Center in Sidney through February 10th.  The public is encouraged to see these fine examples of Darling's talent and expertise.