Portfolio | Colorado Creativity

Meet 11 artists from the Centennial State who work in a variety of genres

This story was featured in the August 2020 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art August 2020 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.

Brooks Powell

What inspires you to create art? The natural beauty of the world I see around me evokes the desire to explore its meaning and to share that vision with others. Some of that beauty is vanishing. I would like to preserve it, if I could.
How would you describe your style? It’s definitely a representational approach. My effort is to capture the way a place feels to me.
How did you first get interested in art? My earliest memories involve trying to capture something with pencil or crayon.
Where did you study art? A Bachelor of Fine Art from Washburn University and a second degree in interior design from the University of Kansas gave me some “bones,” but workshops with Scott Christensen, Kevin Macpherson, David Leffel, Matt Smith, and a few other artists put on some “flesh.”
What is your creative process like? Every painting requires its own approach, but usually I do a few thumbnails and a notan first. Then I will use some transparent red oxide and Liquin medium to make a sketch on the panel before applying paint.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? Being juried into major exhibitions such as the Mountain Oyster Club’s show and Oil Painters of America’s Western Regional.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? I have lived an adventurous life in my 87 years, but I believe that I loved flying the best. With my own little Beechcraft I acquired both a commercial and an instrument rating.
Where can collectors find your work? The Blue Pig Gallery, Palisade, CO; www.brookspowell.com.

Tracy Miller

What inspires you to create art? For as long as I can remember, something deep down inside has compelled me to create art. My new series, Ghost Animals, is a direct result of my trip to South Africa last year. The colors of the landscape and the wildlife, and the spirit of the place, was so different from the places here in the West that I’m used to. I’m debuting this series at the Slopoke show in Solvang, CA, September 25-27.
How would you describe your style? I would describe this new series as expressive abstraction and hidden meaning in mixed media.
Where did you study art? I earned my bachelor’s degree in art from Metropolitan State University in Denver.
What is your creative process like? I paint in stages and layers, starting with the metal leaf. I then apply the first layer of acrylic paint, letting it flow and congeal, then sitting back and studying the drips and flows before settling on what animal will appear.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? Painting an original piece live for the ambassador from Taiwan. Participating in Plein Air Fest at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, WY. Giving a TED-style talk on western art in Colorado Springs. Owning my own namesake gallery from 2011 to 2018.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? I own a vintage camper, and my husband and I own two vintage wooden boats that we love to take out on the water regularly. I love any minute I can be in the outdoors!
Where can collectors find your work? Westward Gallery, Denver, CO; 45 Degree Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO; Western Stars Gallery, Lyons, CO; Seaside Gallery, Pismo Beach, CA; www.tracymillerfineart.com.

Sarah St. George

What inspires you to create art? I like to be challenged by a subject, be it moving water, backlit trees, sunlight on snow, a beam of light—something in the scene has to spark my interest.
How would you describe your style? I would call my paintings impressionistic. I want them to be painterly and capture the essence of the subject, not duplicate it.
How did you first get interested in art? When I was 17, I drew a portrait of my great-grandfather for my grandmother. When she opened the gift, her reaction hooked me for life. To be able to create something that can summon such an emotional response—I knew that was what I wanted to do.
Where did you study art? I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Wittenberg University in Ohio and went on to study at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. I’ve also embraced taking pastel workshops.
What is your creative process like? I begin with a line drawing, then I establish my values with an underpainting done in either watercolors or pastels with an alcohol wash. My final step is what I love most about the medium-—the layering of the pure pigments of pastels.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? My first year of painting with pastels, I was juried into the International Association of Pastel Societies Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in New York City.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? I love to travel and to hike with my husband and our chocolate Lab, Olive.
Where can collectors find your work? www.sarahstgeorge.com.

Greg Dye

What inspires you to create art? Certain art and artists have always inspired me, such as Peter Max, van Gogh, Kandinsky’s Fauvist landscapes, and others. These days the beautiful landscapes and animals of the Southwest are a constant source of inspiration.
How would you describe your style? It is a combination of impressionism, cubism, Fauvism, and others. My experimentation with the palette knife has led me to a layering technique that I feel is unique. My clients call the style Dyeism, which I thought was clever.
Where did you study art? I have a degree in commercial art, but I always loved to draw the most. After work and on weekends, I continued to hone my skills and eventually became a freelance illustrator. I am self-taught when it comes to illustration and painting.
What is your creative process like? I do a quick thumbnail sketch and then go directly to the canvas. Using a palette knife, I apply spontaneous strokes of thick oil paint one on top of the other.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? As an illustrator I worked for major clients and won national awards, but what I am doing now as a painter is the absolute biggest highlight of my career so far.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? My wife and I live in the beautiful Colorado foothills. We enjoy exploring the many state parks that surround us.
Where can collectors find your work? Wilde Meyer Gallery, Tucson and Scottsdale, AZ; West Lives On Gallery, Jackson, WY; Natural Accents Gallery, Taos, NM; Lovetts Gallery, Tulsa, OK; Westward Gallery, Denver, CO; www.gregdye.com.

Jenny Wilson

What inspires you to create art? Growing up, my family and I used to take day trips around the Rocky Mountains. I remember staring out the car window and following the lines of the trees, mountaintops, edges of the rivers, and shapes of the clouds. I would paint these scenes in my mind. Today I’m still looking for landscapes that move me.
How would you describe your style? My paintings are contemporary abstract landscapes with a luminous color quality.
How did you first get interested in art? I was always drawing as a child. In high school, I remember the joy of taking art classes, especially painting.
Where did you study art? I attended the Art Students League of Denver, and then I received my Bachelor of Fine Art from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design.
What is your creative process like? I take black-and-white photographs of places that interest me. I’m looking for strong compositions, values, and contrasts. By calling on my memory of the color, rather than the perceived color in a photo, I capture the essence of the moment.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? My solo exhibition, Nature’s Way, at the Lakewood Cultural Center in 2018. I am also proud to have showcased my work through numerous galleries in Santa Fe, Colorado Springs, and Denver.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? I have been spending a lot of time at home with my family right now. I have enjoyed taking long walks around the neighborhood and experimenting with cooking. I enjoy hiking and camping in our travel trailer in Colorado’s great outdoors.
Where can collectors find your work? www.jennywilsonfineart.com.

Tom Lockhart

What inspires you to create art? My inspiration comes from my upbringing as well as my adventures into the countryside around my small hometown. I’ve always been attracted to color, dramatic lighting, and nature.
How would you describe your style? My style is primarily representational; I like the spontaneity of loose brushwork as well as being a bit more descriptive.
How did you first get interested in art? My parents saw me doodling on just about everything, so they bought me an oil-paint set from Montgomery Ward. When I was 9 years old, I won Best of Show in a local art show where all the other artists were adults.
Where did you study art? Emporia State University in Kansas. Later I took a workshop from the late painter Ted Goerschner that was a turning point for me.
What is your creative process like? I take reference photos of my subjects, make sketches, and go out plein-air painting as often as possible. Then I just jump in with both feet, working from my notes, photos, and studies.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? Being the Region III winner—twice in 10 years—in the national Arts for the Parks competition, as well as placing in the Top 100 and the Mini Top 100 many times. Becoming a Signature member of some fine-art organizations. Being represented by some wonderful galleries and being featured in art magazines.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? Gardening, visiting with friends, and enjoying wine and wine tastings.
Where can collectors find your work? Wild Horse Gallery, Steamboat Springs, CO; The Artists’ Gallery, Cañon City, CO; Expressions Art Gallery, Sheridan, WY; www.tomlockhartfineart.com.

Shandy Staab

What inspires you to create art? My paintings are inspired entirely by the rich western culture I’ve been a part of.
How would you describe your style? I think of myself as a contemporary realist. Many of my works include soft brushwork and insightful color, creating a sense of naturalism.
How did you first get interested in art? As a child, drawing was playtime. When my time was freed up from practicing for equestrian competition, drawing and coloring was the other half of my life.
Where did you study art? I learned from my mother as a youngster, earned a Bachelor of Fine Art from Colorado State University in 2010, and studied with artist Jay Moore. I am also in constant self-study; studying artists whose work inspires me is what influences my style the most.
What is your creative process like? Experience it. Feel it. Fall in love with it. Sketch it. Paint it. I spend a great deal of time processing my experiences, contemplating why they touched me and how I would like to share them.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? Being invited to the Governor’s Art Show in 2019 and 2020. Receiving a commission from the Town of Wellington, CO, for a large outdoor piece. And the icing on the cake—sharing moments with my collectors.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? My creative fire is sparked by horses. I spend the majority of my nonpainting hours either at the barn, in the pastures, or outdoors in the wilderness.
Where can collectors find your work? www.shandystaab.com.

Marko Marino

What inspires you to create art? I draw my visual inspirations from nature, colored through my emotions.
How would you describe your style? I am a representational artist. My impressionistic style has evolved naturally so that it is versatile in its level of detail.
How did you first get interested in art? I remember, when I was 5 years old, watching a man on TV draw on a large sheet of paper. I remember being enthralled and thinking, “I want to do that!”
Where did you study art? I attended art school at the University of Northern Colorado. I have studied with some excellent contemporary artists: Daniel Sprick, Robert Moore, Dave Wade, Leon Parson, and Michael Lynch. All have been great influences upon me, especially Robert Moore.
What is your creative process like? I almost always begin from a visual impression that strikes me. I imagine a format, a color scheme, and a composition. This is all internal and may evolve over days and weeks until I am ready to outwardly express it. From there I generally create a sketch. The vision determines the direction: whether loose or detailed, subtle or contrasting.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? I have gained the most personal satisfaction from working with and being recognized by other professional artists.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? I enjoy building things and exploring the mountains and canyons of the West with my partner and my dogs. I also enjoy bicycling and golf.
Where can collectors find your work? The Blue Pig Gallery, Palisade, CO; The Main St. Gallery, Grand Junction, CO; The Local Galleria, Driggs, ID; Laura M Gallery, Saratoga, WY; www.markomarino.com.

Eileen Fjerstad

What inspires you to create art? I find our world to be incredibly inspiring, particularly when the elements of color, light, shapes, and shadows conspire to present a scene that grabs the eye and the heart.
How would you describe your style? My style is representational and, at times, tending toward impressionistic.
How did you first get interested in art? I have been interested in art since I was young. I was given drawing lessons at about age 10. I grew up in Cody, WY, and my neighbor happened to be a descendant of Thomas Moran. Learning of his work was my first introduction to truly great art.
Where did you study art? I describe myself primarily as a self-taught artist. I have learned through apprenticeships, workshops, conferences, reading, and watching instructional videos.
What is your creative process like? I drive and hike the back roads and trails looking for paintings. I begin most of my paintings on scene, doing thumbnail sketches for value study and compositional decisions, then lightly sketch the scene on canvas and begin painting. I work as long as the light holds, then finish later in the studio.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? During the long winter months I ski, read, and watch movies. Summer finds me enjoying camping, hiking, puttering with my flowers, and sitting by our home-built waterfall trying to identify the birds that come to bathe and drink. In spring and fall, exploring and hiking the canyon country of southeastern Utah is delightful.
Where can collectors find your work? Navarro Gallery, Sedona, AZ; Comb Ridge Eat & Drink, Bluff, UT; Bar D Chuckwagon Gallery, Durango, CO; www.sandandsnowstudio.com.

Lamya Deeb

What inspires you to create art? I’m fascinated by the natural world, with all of its phenomena and intricacies. Landscapes in particular give me a sense of peace, freedom, and wonderment. I also get very excited by all the amazing things one can do with paint!
How would you describe your style? I have an impressionistic style, capturing the moment with suggested form, expressive brushwork, and delicate color harmonies.
How did you first get interested in art? My parents both loved art, and I was exposed to lots of it as a child through our travels and museum visits. I often tagged along with my mother to her painting class, where the instructor introduced me to the magic of oil painting.
Where did you study art? At Colorado State University for my Bachelor of Fine Art, with landscape artist Jake Gaedtke for four years, and in quite a few landscape painting workshops since then.
What is your creative process like? For the most part, I paint from life, en plein air. After an initial planning stage, I paint quickly and intuitively to capture the fleeting beauty and emotion of what I’m experiencing.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? The biggest highlights have been painting in the Grand Tetons as part of the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? I love ballet and have been taking classes for many years. I also enjoy flower gardening and love to scour flea markets for still-life inspiration.
Where can collectors find your work? Mary Williams Fine Arts, Boulder, CO; Osmosis Gallery, Niwot, CO; Fly Away Home, Niwot, CO; www.lamyadeebfineart.com.

Molly Davis

What inspires you to create art? The quiet change of light as the sun slants at different angles keeps me fascinated at all the possible nuances to decipher.
How did you first get interested in art? My mother was a watercolor painter; she and I would go plein-air painting together when I was very young. Also, there was an artist co-op in my hometown of Greensboro, NC, where I met a Russian painter, Marcos Blahove, who let me shadow him while I was in high school.
Where did you study art? I received a degree in art from East Carolina University, but my real studies started in Loveland, CO, at the academy where Burton Silverman and Richard Schmid were teaching. I have been lucky to paint alongside many fabulous artists.
What is your creative process like? I work exclusively en plein air for my studies and then take them back to the studio to use as reference for larger pieces.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? Two highlights are the books I have written, one of which was a detailed historical overview of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks in Colorado, illustrated by more than 300 of my paintings. It resulted in a solo show at the Museum of Boulder.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? I own a nonprofit that is working on three projects: disaster recovery from Hurricane Matthew in Princeville, NC; pollution control and reconstruction of a Roman ruin in Italy; and preservation of Boulder Open Space.
Where can collectors find your work? Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, GA; Allison Sprock Fine Art, Charlotte, NC; Preserving the Vision Gallery, Boulder, CO; www.mollydavisfineart.com.

This story was featured in the August 2020 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art August 2020 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.

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