Carroll Dorrell-Hightower is a native of Brooklyn, New York. She and her husband William relocated to Colorado Springs in the spring of 1994 as a result of having been exposed to the area through visits with her father-in-law, the late Emory Hightower, who was the mayor of Palmer Lake, Colorado.
Carroll was introduced to pottery while volunteering at the Colorado Springs Senior Center. There she saw pottery being done for the first time by her good friend, Ken Tanner. Thereafter she took her first classes under the guidance of Jennifer Hanson; and later with master potter instructors Lance Timco and Mike Janes.
Carroll's enthusiasm for pottery has developed quickly and substantially and she hes become a familiar face in many venues. For example, her works in clay have gained first place at The Artists' Liar display in Colorado Springs. In addition, her endeavors have juried-in and sold at the Common Wheel Gallery in Manitou Springs and at several Colorado Springs Senior Center events. Her works were shown at the 2007 Colorado Springs Airport Exhibition, the 2008 Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, winning one third place and two honorable mentions.
J.P. was born into a military family and traveled extensively throughout his childhood. After leaving home, He continued traveling throughout Europe and Asia. In Asia he grew to appreciate the simplicity of line and color in oriental furniture and architecture. A lifetime of travel exposed him to a rich diversity of culture and art. Although, J.P. holds graduate degrees in Psychology and a doctorate in Theology, he is a self taught artist and metal smith.
Christine Garner has been an artist all her life, she was first taught by her artist mother and later broadened her skills and knowledge at the Denver Art Institute. Christine has distinguished herself as a figurative painter and expert in wood burning arts long before she emerged as an abstract painter. Chris's first interest in metalwork began when she and J.P. began making jewelry and copper work together in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Their work grew increasingly larger and moved from precious metals to steel. The combining of their skills led them to their newest art form. Now, the couple uses steel to express their creativity.
They bend and shape steel into interesting forms and paint the shapes with enamels and acrylics, texturing them to sometimes appearing like fabric. Chris and J.P. use a variety of materials and technics to create their product. Some pieces incorporate metallic leaf, stained glass, dichroic glass and pottery to add to the beauty and texture in their artform.
My name is David V. Gonzales, born Wiesbaden, Germany 1971. I grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico where I am third generation. As far back as I can remember I have been working with art materials to create and make something based on my interests and observations. It has become a growing love and has turned into a life long profession.
My art works have been a part of numerous exhibitions since I was age 12. Over the years I have worked in all kinds of mediums and experimented in various styles. I have studied with and worked for many professional artists. My art has been a part of several national museum-traveling exhibits and has had the fortunate opportunity of being displayed with famous and worldly recognized artists.
My early works reflect my interests in Native American and Hispanic cultures. It was in my later years in High School that I solidified my decision to place my energies in the arts. I went to college and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. In 1997 I moved to Manitou Springs. I continued to display my art and fulfilled many commissions to paint murals and works on canvas. My fiancé, Deborah Felton and I have collaborated on several art projects and have donated our time and energies to making theatrical backdrops and props for the Manitou Middle School and High School plays. Our murals that we painted together can be seen at three of the Goodwill stores in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
In 2003 I began carving with chainsaws, which revealed new possibilities and ways to create three dimensionally. After years of working with gas powered chainsaws and other toxic materials such as spray paints, stains, enameled oils, and polyurethane, I came to a cross road in my art career. Working with these toxic materials was having a negative affect on my health and a direct affect on other people. I felt a responsibility to provide the general public a safe and quality product. After several months of research, the process by which the carvings are made and the products applied on the carvings are entirely safe for kids, adults, animals, and the earth. I have a growing love for nature and as an artist whether I am painting a window, canvas, or carving I will forever work with materials that are safe and non-toxic for others and me, and the environment.
Services available: Chainsaw Carvings, Pet Portraits, and Specialized Commissions
Davidgonz@gmail.com
http://davidvgco.googlepages.com
(719) 440-3405
Charley Mulvey
charleymulvey@hotmail.com
719.205.5175
I've painted for friends and relatives for years, and decided to become professional when I realized I could. Like many artists, I wanted to use what I already had on hand. Lots of people have suggested that I use technology to produce my designs easier and faster. One person even suggested that I make molds to make the animals in plastic instead of wood and mass produce them. I will eventually purchase more sophisticated tools when the tools I'm using no longer work, or when making one-of-a-kind I can no longer keep up with demand. When I first set up shop, I did inventory of what materials I had available. I already had markers, plywood, paints, and a few handtools, so I was in business.
My Work includes drawing, illustration, portraits, murals, and children’s wall décor. I paint in all sizes, from miniatures to eight foot high cut outs. I studied drawing and painting at Art Students League in New York City, North Seattle Community College, and University of Washington.
It seems to me there is a need for designs for kids (something besides posters) that are durable and affordable. Kid's art should also be fun. I enjoy the reaction of people to my work, especially the reactions of the kids. Young people seem to appreciate realism, perhaps because they haven’t yet become bored and everything is new and exciting.
I enjoy painting beautiful exotic animals. In many cases their beauty is the reason for their near extinction. Sadly, most of the animals I draw from photographs are dwindling in numbers and may soon be only seen in zoos. Unfortunately, many endangered animals are not in captivity in zoos either and will soon disappear unless the world community takes action to save them.
It seems like there isn’t enough time to draw and paint all the subjects I’m interested in, so I will be taking note of what Business of Art visitors are most curious about. Giraffes were popular for a while, and dinosaurs and pirates seem to be favorites. I'd be interested to hear from kids and parents about what you like.
Kat Strickland
928.862.9031
katstrick@msn.com
Somewhere between the rough clay edges of her abstract sculptures and the refined delicate and smooth prosperity bowls she throws on the wheel, you can find an artist who cannot settle on just doing one thing. So to call her an artist is true, but she is not a painter or a potter or a collage artist. She combines through experimentation all the above disciplines. Her work weaves, sculpts, photographs, and creates a collage of interests as she also often writes poetry or stories that help the viewer experience her imaginations as they come to life.
Kat has been an artist for over 30 years, and has recently moved back to her home state of Colorado after living in the desert for ten years. She has taught several art classes
in
clay, drawing, and mixed media in both private and group settings. She has been
an Art Director for the Cottonwood Boys and Girls Club, Geneva Glen Camps, and
has run a business for twelve years in both the art and service industry.
Her experiences of working with all ages from school age
children to elderly and handicapped populations shine forth with an attitude of
patience. She loves helping people express their creativity, so that healing
and personal growth stand out as the main thrust of her intentions. Kat quotes,”
The act of doing art is likened to breathing in fresh air, and teaching is the
joy of the exhale.”
Linda Ross
719.685.3036
linda.ross55@hotmail.com
Linda Ross, born
and raised in
California,
began experiencing the joys of art at a young age, paper, textiles and scissors
quickly became her best friend. Her creative journey continued with a move to
Oregon in 1972. There
the opportunities of living on a century old farm and participating in her new
family’s antique business fueled Linda’s interest in both folk art and
primitives. Mentored by Jean Armstrong a passion for antiques and classic furniture
restoration developed into a twenty-year career.
At
Lane
Community College in
Oregon, Linda enhanced her skills in
woodworking, upholstery and textiles. With retirement came a new interest in
pottery sparked while attending a ceramic class at
Bemis
Art
School
in
Colorado Springs.
This emerging artist studied clay sculpture under Susan Halls at the historic
Penland School of Arts in
North
Carolina. And additional
Colorado instructors Frank Gray, Mark
Sheperd, and Darlene Wells stimulated a richer diversity in Linda’s work.
Ramona Lapsley
bluefishmanitou@aol.com
My prints reflect my interest in the natural form. At times it is literal and other times it is metaphorical. I grew up in an agricultural area north of Denver. I worked and studied in Wisconsin for several years. Now I live in the wonderful surrounds at the foot of Pikes Peak.
There has been a reoccurring interest in rocks, fish, birds, the land and the beauty of gardens in my artwork. At times I combine several of these elements. I am in the process of learning the art of fly-fishing. Much of my work is done in the print studio at the Business of Art Center in Manitou Springs, Colorado, and often includes watercolor painting with the print.
