Sharon Shuster Anhorn

A Beautiful bear above Sharon's Garden

Sharon's friend and roommate Arik re-designed her garden recently, adding a whole new level of charm to her studio!

This was one of my favorite works in her studio.  When I asked her how long she had been creating art she said she was just born to do it, her mom said she was creating by age two!

Up-cycled fabrics and vintage adornments

Kai!

When Sharon first located to Loveland, she knew she needed a place that had a south facing yard for a garden. She feels gardening is a part of her work and as much of the studio as the rolls of sheet metal in her basement, the rare vintage bead collection, and up-cycled fabrics from the thrift store. She draws inspiration from nature and combined with her passion for art and activism she left me feeling energized and inspired. Currently she is working on a series called "Return of the Natives". She hopes to build awareness about the importance of planting native plants for our environment. Her studio dog Kai, her roommate's Akita, follows her every move - until necessary to pose for the camera (he turned out to be quite the ham!) Sharon is a wonderful addition to our tour and the Loveland community.  I am looking forward to her studio tour in hopes to get a view at some completed works from the Natives series. Her website is http://www.designata.net/  and be sure to check out more photos on The Loveland Art Studio Tour and Sale Page on Facebook.

Pat Saunders-White

The inventory closet! A well organized system for all of Pat's cards.

work in progress, Pat's easel

a sketch

colored pencils

ink - and lots of it!

One of Pat's abstract works...

clients all over the world send Pat their pet photos to be made into one of a kind works of art

Just a few of Pat's magazine features.

acrylic paints

an example of intuitive collage/painting that you can do in one of her classes

I couldn't help but add this, Pat had some baby birds living outside her home - we got a little distracted by them! You can tell she really loves animals and life in general!

Pat Saunders-White loves color.  She even sports some bright blue fingernail polish, and it looks great.  She has a colorful personality as well and I have to say I am excited to see what she does next.  She is getting ready to move her studio to a new downtown Loveland location!    Pat is mostly know for her vibrant and full of personality pet portraits.  She also teaches classes at the Loveland Museum, getting into some chemistry, collage, and painting abstracts.   Her first commissioned work was by her grandmother and she has been creating ever since.  I loved getting a peak at her abstracts, her aboriginal inspired works and of course the friendly animals that have made her famous.  You can view her website at http://www.patsaunderswhite.com/  and her prints can be found all over Loveland - including the Loveland Museum and Independence Gallery.

Ashlee Comerford

A photo of Ashlee with C.W. Mundy

Ashlee Comerford inspires me.  How couldn't she, she is truly passionate about painting and it shows in her work.  I think what inspires me most is that she has only been working as a fine artist for 3 years. (In her previous life she was an ice skater!)  In some ways it makes me feel like one day maybe I could do it too! You know, start painting and become collectible around the world three years later.  (OK, so this is totally rare, I know, but what an accomplishment that no doubt took a lot of hard work!) She has studied with some very notable artists of our time, Quang Ho and Kim English for example - but in some ways I think she didn't even need to mention these big names - I really am fond of her work and so was our blind Juror, Dave Santillanes.  He chose one of her pieces to be featured with two others on the front of our marketing materials.  You can visit her website at http://www.ashleecomerford.com/

Angela Canada Hopkins

A friendly invitation to Angela Canada Hopkin's downtown Art Studio

 Angela Canada Hopkins- 325 E 4th,  I actually felt like I was living in a big city as I rang her buzzer from the street.  How cool and artsy to live and work in a downtown loft - don't you agree! Angela is an inspiration to our community.  Not only does she make incredible abstract paintings of caner cells, but she is co-creator of The Artist Collective and has had such a positive impact on our town.  Her studio holds a collection of pieces you wouldn't see in her cancer series, giving a glimpse of her various artistic skills (A Dia de los Muertos inspired canvas for example) . I found myself getting lost in her book collection (I didn't realize she was also a yoga enthusiast and teacher) and wanting to open well organized drawers full of stickers, felt, pompoms and more.  I am sure there was even a spot for glitter. (And I won't deny a peak around the corner into her husband's Law Office and living room - she is also an Art Collector!)   For more of her work check out http://www.canadahopkins.com/ and for information on connecting to the Loveland Art Community visit http://www.lovelandartistscollective.com/   

don't you want to peak underneath?!

Angela is not only a heart felt artist, but really does bring people together!

Billie J Colson

oil painting in progress

Billie's patio table - one square says "Never frown because you never know who is falling in love with your smile!"

Billie's granddaughter Mahayla did this piece.  Every year, Billie organizes a fundraiser called "65 Roses" for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for Mahayla.  Artists all over participate in this event held in February at Independence Gallery.

Family is always close to Billie's heart.  Here is a found art sculpture made by her son.

Billie Colson can make friends with anyone, she can't help it!  She always has something nice to say and I don't think I've seen her without an idea or project in play.  When you really look at her accomplishments, it's hard to believe she has the time!  Did you know that she created Loveland's Night on The Town? Or that she is the brain child behind the Loveland Art Studio Tour?  She is also the owner of Independence Gallery in downtown Loveland and a talented oil and pastel artist. This woman get's things moving, and she does it with a smile.  I consider her a dear friend and it was such a treat to drop in on her on a rainy Sunday morning to see her in action.  She warned me before I came over that her studio was in "working" condition.  It was perfect!  It was exactly why I wanted to start this blog, to be able to peak at the space a artists inhabits - not just their perfectly finished piece neatly framed on a gallery wall.  I wanted to glimpse into her pencil box, take a look at the recent still life she has set up.  (She likes to paint the objects that she loves)  I also peaked out her back door - she had an old table painted with a grid ~ she invites friends and family to paint something important to them on it.  When it's finished she will cover it with glass.  Her art is stunning, take a look at her website http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/billie-colson.html