Ben Ramsey - Artist of the Month

    The Cheyenne County Art Guild has selected Ben Ramsey of Sidney as Artist of the Month. Ramsey recalls drawing at a very young age and has been drawing all of his life. He had the good fortune in having parents who encouraged him and who later augmented a scholarship to the Art Instructions School when he was fourteen years of age. It was then that the young artist began to paint.

Art continued to be a part of Ramsey's life throughout the years and in the early 80's he and another gentleman had a commercial art business in Laramie called Islands Bound Graphics. He also took drawing classes at the college and painted art for friends. He stated that since at one time he was hopeful of becoming an engineer, most of his drawing skills were in mechanical drawing. Then for twenty years he stopped doing much art in order to raise a family.

(Family Dinner - 2nd place 2013 spring show)

Three years ago Ramsey came back to what he loved to do: painting in acrylics and drawing in pencil and ink. He was a member of the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Artists Guild and exhibited in their monthly shows. Then upon moving to Sidney a couple of years ago he became a member of the Cheyenne County Art Guild. "I was totally amazed at the amount of talent in Sidney as seen in the CCAG," he said. "I feel lucky to be amongst that much talent." And Ramsey has added his talent to the mix and last year won First Place in Acrylics at the CCAG Spring Show and this year won Second Place in Pencil and in Acrylics.

(Lookin' For Love 2nd place 2013 spring show.)

He continues to study and apply ideas and things he has learned to his artwork. He has been inspired and appreciates the artwork by Disney and Van Gogh, the drawings of DaVinci, and the details and concepts created by the Brothers Hildebrandt whose work has been seen in the original Star Wars movie posters and JRR Tolkian Lord of the Rings calendars. With such artists for inspiration Ramsey is sure to have fun and keep busy with his new goal--Ramsey related, "I am wanting to "break out of my (artistic) box a little bit and try to use more color in my paintings and possibly do more expressionistic work." He eventually would like to have his artwork in the open market and exhibit in galleries, too.

(My Spot first place 2012 spring show)

   

On his way to artistic excellence and his goals Ramsey is thankful for his parent's encouragement and guidance and remembers the interest and talent his dad had for drawing. Following in his father's footsteps Ramsey encouraged his own children and is proud that his son, daughter, and daughter-in-law all have Bachelors in Fine Arts degrees and all three work in art for personal enjoyment and for their jobs.

(The Moment)
 

So while Ben Ramsey continues his artistic journey the public is encouraged to see his painting titled "Water Fun" at the Sidney Public Library. It was done in acrylic paint mostly with an airbrush. Twelve other artworks of Ramsey's can be seen at the Cheyenne County Community Center. The public is encouraged to view these fine artworks.

(Life's Reflections)

Spring Show

The CCAG Spring Show was a smashing success!!! 

Congratulations Ethan Nelson: Best of Show

CCAG Spring Art Show April 5 - 7

The CCAG Spring Art Show will be held at the Cheyenne County Community Center - Sidney, NE.  the weekend of April 5-7, 2013.  This year's judge is Peter Youngers.  Stop by to see a REALLY GREAT SHOW!!! with featured artwork from your friends and neighbors - members of the CCAG. The show is open to the public Friday evening (artist reception), Saturday all day, and Sunday afternoon.

Categories include paintings in oil, acrylic, pastel/watercolor, mixed media and colored pencil, photography, sculpture, fiber art and miscellaneous.  Vote for your favorite piece of artwork to receive the "People's Choice" award.  Register to win a door prize by Virg Shumacher and enter the raffle (tickets are 1 for $1.00 or 6 for $5.00) for a chance to win artwork by Paul Adkinson. 

Time Schedule:

April 4 (Thursday)

• 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. CCAG member art entry 

April 5 (Friday)

• Judging  9:00 - 11:30
• Critique 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Rehang art for public show  (committee time - TBA)
• Show Open to the Public and Artist Reception 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 

April 6 (Saturday)

• Show Open to the Public  9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

April 7 (Sunday)

• Show Open to the Public 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 
• Artwork released after 4:00 p.m.
• Take down show and clean-up  4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

(photo from the 2012 CCAG Spring Art Show)

Peter Youngers: This Year's CCAG Art Show Judge

Peter L.Youngers has taught art for 36 years at Northeastern Junior College from 1965 until his retirement in 2001.  He also served as Associate Dean for Humanities and Human Services for 17 years.  He has served as juror for local, regional and national exhibits.

 Since coming to NJC, Peter has been actively involved in the leadership of community and state arts councils as well as the Colorado Art Education Association and the Colorado Education Association.

Peter is a painter, printmaker and stained glass artist.  His most recent works have been watercolors, stained glass and woodcuts.  His expressionistic watercolors and woodcuts reflect the landscape images of Colorado with emphasis on the northeastern plains of Colorado, where he has lived since 1965.  The majority of his glass pieces are abstract using light, color and texture to create the visual effects. 

“A large part of my influence as an artist is interpreted through expressionistic renderings of the landscape motif, both vertical and horizontal axes juxtaposed in a relationship to the horizon and ‘real space.’  The conceived motif may appear two-dimensional but through line and color, the space one observes is compressed and refined to display nature both symbolically and in flat planes or fields of activity.”

Mr. Youngers holds a BFA and MFA degree from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas.  His art works are in private and public collections throughout the United States and Europe.