Amy Dyson - November Artist of the Month

Amy Dyson was born and raised in the small Colorado town of Sedgwick.  After college, she spent 10 years in Colorado Springs where she started playing around with photography and watercolors.  After encouragement from her friends and family she started her business, Amy Kathryn's, in 2006.  She got her start by making hand-crafted greeting cards with her original artwork and selling her photography and watercolors in a local Colorado Springs' restaurant.  She loves to examine life close-up and is amazed at the details God created in all things.  Those details and beauty are what she seeks to capture in her artwork.

Amy has moved back to the area and is now residing in Chappell, NE with her husband, Chris, and young daughters Samara and Lillian where they own "Aliens and Strangers Music", a guitar store, located in downtown Chappell.

Amy has been a member of the Cheyenne County Art Guild for several years and has served as Vice-President and chaired various committees.

Wilma Floro: Artist of the Month - October

When Wilma Floro was just a child she discovered the delight in drawing and also in sewing.  Both artistic media have been a part of her life ever since.

After her children left home she and her late husband moved to Longmont, CO, where she took oil and watercolor classes from some of the local artists.  When they moved to Sidney, she joined the Cheyenne County Art Guild and took several workshops locally and at Halsey, NE.  She worked mostly in watercolor and photography.

Floro had always sewn for herself and for her four daughters.  When she could no longer sew for them, she took up quilting.  Her grandmother and mother were both quilters so the move to quilting was a natural extension of her love for sewing.  When her husband got sick, and because of his conditions, she could no longer paint, so she did a lot more quilting and has continued to create beautiful quilts as well as one-of-a kind artworks out of fabric.  She has donated seven of her quilts to veterans via a national organization called Quilts of Valor, which gives quilts to military veterans.  Floro is a member of the Threads of Friendship Quilt Guild in Sidney.  

This multi-talented artist continues to learn and excel in her quest for beauty, accomplishment of techniques, and a job well done through her photography, paintings, drawings, quilts, and fabric artworks.  All have won many awards at the CCAG Spring Art Show and other shows including Grand Champion at the Cheyenne County Fair, First Place at the Nebraska State Fair, and Honorable Mentions at the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs Conference to name a few.

The first quilt Wilma Floro made is on display through November 11, 2012, at the Sidney Public Library.  Twelve other artworks of Floro’s are on display at the Cheyenne County Community Center.  The public is encouraged to view these very fine artworks!

Pat Kraus: September Artist of the Month

PAT KRAUS SELECTED ARTIST OF THE MONTH BY CHEYENNE CO. ART GUILD

Pat Kraus has been chosen as Artist of the Month by the Cheyenne County Art Guild. Kraus enjoys many forms of art and loves working with different mediums. She is essentially self-taught, working mainly with acrylics, watercolor pencil, clay, and pastels. Growing up in the country she has always had a love of nature, wildlife, and the outdoors. These subjects may be found in most of her artworks be they two-dimensional paintings and drawings or her three-dimensional sculptures.

Kraus said that she loves producing art for the color and creativity and for the personal enjoyment. According to her, art in any form is a wonderful hobby and pastime.

Her artwork has been exhibited locally and regionally and received many awards. Kraus also does commissioned artworks.

She is retired now and has more time to enjoy doing her art and spending time with her family. She has been a member of the CCAG for 34 years and has served as President and Vice-President and served on various art show committees.

 

Pamela L. Brown Artist of the Month - August

Pamela L. Brown chosen Artist of the Month by Cheyenne Co. Art Guild


Pamela L. Brown is known as the "Chronicler of the High Plains".  A watercolor artist for thirty years, she has been recognized for her work at the national, regional, and local levels.  Her soft and subtle paintings depict and preserve the people and the landscapes of the high plains and prairie.  She said, "I like the transparency, colors, and the light you can pick up with watercolor."


Brown has been selected Artist for the National Radial Engine Exhibition in Akron, Colorado for the past nine years.  In 2007 she designed a commemorative envelope for the Akron post office and in 2010 was commissioned to do a painting to commemorate the Washington County Courthouse 100th anniversary.


Along with her painting and commissioned work Brown also teaches watercolor workshops, children's classes, and judges local and regional art shows.  In 2001, she opened Sand Creek Studio in Akron, Colorado.  It is a working studio as well as a gallery of her work.


The public is encouraged to view her fine artwork at the Sidney Public Library and the Cheyenne Co. Community Center.  Brown's artwork will be on display through August 12th.

Virg Schumacher: Artist of the Month - May

Virgil (Virg) Schumacher has been tapped Artist of the Month by the Cheyenne County Art Guild.  According to Schumacher it was after talking to Judy McElroy, a fellow artist from Gurley, a few years ago that he started to take his passion for photography seriously.  His camera of choice is a Nikon--mainly shooting with a D60 and D90, and striving for excellence he does his own printing on one of his four Epson stylus photo printers.

Black and white is Schumacher's favorite to work in, but he also likes to play with various techniques of manipulation of photos in the way he takes them with his camera or some manipulation on the computer. "Nothing will look like it really does when I get done with it," he stated.  "I just see things differently."  In addition he has just started using all kinds of paint to enhance his black and white photos.

His favorite mode of transportation is his Harley and he thoroughly enjoys riding around taking photos as they present themselves.  Storm chasing and the photographic opportunities it brings, nature, old buildings, and the various seasons provide Schumacher with many photo opportunities of interest.  "Many times a simple trip to see friends has ended up taking twice as long to arrive due to my love of taking photos along the way.  Nothing is to be overlooked as a photo opportunity…brandings, harvest, fireworks, etc.," he said.

Schumacher feels he has been lucky to show not only thru the Cheyenne County Art Guild but also in Alliance at the Carnegie Arts Center and the Western Nebraska Arts Center in Scottsbluff.  He has started exhibiting his photos in various outlets in the last couple years in some galleries around the panhandle and hopes to widen the exposure of his finished photographs in the upcoming future. In downtown Sidney his work is exhibited at The Moose & the Goose Gallery.

Schumacher considers that there have been several people who have been mentors to him in getting him to exhibit and giving him encouraging words along the way.  Members of CCAG and WNAC have given encouragement….as well as honest critiques’ of his work.  "I always look to my peers for their experience and knowledge of the arts in helping me to gain insight to keep moving forward," he said.   He enjoys going to art museums and reading and studying all kinds of art.  "I am amazed at the talent that we have in the Cheyenne County Art Guild.  The knowledge they have MAKES ME WANT TO LEARN MORE every time we have a meeting."

He went on to say, "A lot of people think I am different but I see things differently than most people and I try to use that in my art.  The best compliment I can receive is the question, “WHY?”  “Why did you do that?” Or “What made you do that?”  I do it because I can and because I have to.  It makes me feel good and complete."

And the results of Schumacher's talent are that his photos have won several awards the last couple of years.  They also don't last long in a gallery.  Sometimes his photographs never make it to the gallery as people like what they see and buy it on first sight either at his home near Gurley or at his and his wife's business in Dalton--Big V's. 

Virg Schumacher's photograph titled "Misty Rock" is on display now through June 8th at the Sidney Public Library.  In addition he has twelve more photographs on display at the Cheyenne County Community Center.  The public is encouraged to see these fine and artful photographs.

Ethan Nelson "Artist of the Month" April 8 - May 8

Ethan Nelson is currently a freshman at the Nelson Homeschool and a member of the Windy Plains Christian Home Educators.  Ethan began his career of drawing and painting at an early age.  One of Ethan’s earliest artistic accomplishments is the Nebraska Fence Post Christmas Art Contest in 2002 where, at the age of 5, Ethan won his first award.
 

Ethan joined the Cheyenne County Art Guild at the age of 10 in 2007 with the thought of improving his art techniques and learning about the business of marketing visual art.  That same year, Than and his older brother, Jake, founded their own business and launched Nelsonart which specializes in original art notecards and limited edition prints.

Ethan has pursued improvement in his photography skills through the Western Nebraska Community College and is currently enrolled in a series of online website design classes and has his Nelsonart website up and running.  Ethan has received numerous awards for his artwork and his Nelsonart business has received the following awards for Youth Entrepreneurship:

Outstanding 4-H Project Ribbon 2007 Cheyenne County Fair,
Outstanding 4-H Project Ribbon 2007 Nebraska State Fair
2007 - 2008 Nebraska 4-H Entrepreneurship traveling exhibit
2010 Biz 4 Kids Presenters, 2010 Sidney  Public Library – “How to Start Your Own Business”
2011 Western Nebraska Community College High School Career Day Presenters
2012 1^st Place Nebraska Biz Idea Conference for Youth Entrepreneurs and $400 1^st place award.


Future plans include advanced lessons in watercolor techniques and working on web site sales. 

See Ethan's art work at the Cheyenne County Community Center and on his website:

www.nelsonart.webs.com

Ben Darling "Artist of the Month" March 11 - April 8

ARTIST OF THE MONTH IS BEN DARLING
BenDarling has been selected as the current Cheyenne County Artist Guild Artist of the Month.
His work will be on display at the Cheyenne County Community Center and the Sidney Public
Library through April 8, 2012.

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 are 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 new work. 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 OutWest, and has helped with the High School musicals and One Act plays as a scenic artist. 

With some of his spare time, makes hand built pottery, most often using the coil and paddlemethod. Darlingalso enjoys bicycling, backpacking, hiking and gardening.

Congratulations to all showing at the at the CCAG art show!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
What a great show:   Think one of the best ever!!!!

Congratulations to Ron Nordyke:  Best of Show award - Exeptional
Sorry - no pic at this time.  You'll just have to stop by the community center to see for your self  (Actually, if  you miss the show, I'll be posting several pictures of members and their artworks next week.)

The show runs through Sunday:
 Friday ::   5 - 8 (artist reception)
Saturday:  9 - 7
Sunday :  noon - 4

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.