Saturday, March 26, 2011

A great night out!





Top painting is by Keith Larson from Salt Lake City, Utah
Middle painting by Michael Malm from Wellsville, Utah
Bottom painting by Trent Gudmundsen from Logan, Utah

I have to start out saying a big THANK YOU to my husband. For weeks I've been feeling torn between the art show in Park City and the mother/son night at our school. I felt guilty trying to arrange a way for my son to go to the magic show without me, but I also knew he would still enjoy it without me and we could plan an awesome night out on another night together. I almost decided to just take him and then my husband finally agreed to take him - since I reminded him I went to Dads and doughnuts one time when he couldn't go. What a wonderful man! He said the only other man there was the Principal. They had a great time :)

I got to Park City a little late. As I arrived the sun was beginning to set on the ski resorts and the blue sky with airy clouds looked glorious with the pink light on the ski runs.

It was pretty hard to find parking with all the skiiers from all around the world. I had to park at the top of Main Street and when I was over half way down to the Montgomery-Lee Gallery I saw a parking meter and realized that it was not 3 hours free parking but it was up to 3 hours paid parking. A little panicky I ran up the hill to my car, receipt in my had, praying there wasn't a ticket. Relieved by the bare windshield I put my ticket on the dash and headed back down the hill.

I hadn't thought about how much colder it would be in the higher elevation and was glad I had on my warm winter coat. I was so excited to see the art of two of my favorite figurative artist and to meet them. I had seen pictures of Trent Gudmundsen so I recognized him right away. But I didn't really know what Michael Malm looked like. A man started talking to me and I wondered if it was Michael Malm but I found out it was Keith Larson - the third artist that I didn't know much about. He was really nice and was a good artist. A woman working in the gallery asked me if I had any questions and if there was anything she could do for me. I asked her if Michael Malm was there and she brought me to him and introduced me to him and his wife. They were so kind and charming. His artwork has always amazed me.

I looked around at all the figurative and landscape paintings and felt like I was in heaven. I heard people commenting on Trents work. A woman said, "you know when you look at his paintings you feel like the people are someone you know". Her friend resonded, "I know!". I heard another woman say to Trent, "You have such a wonderful talent with light. You could hang these paintings in a dark room". I know what she meant. They seem to glow.

A couple months ago I drove by Porter's Place in Lehi at night and immediately thought of Trent and his restaurant paintings. I was struck with the thought that he has to paint this place. It's a historic place in Utah that many people love. I went in there and took some pictures and e-mailed them to him. I was delighted when he found some he wanted to paint right away. Then, there at the gallery I recognized a picture I had taken in his painting of "Porter's Place".

When I finally got a chance to meet Trent it felt like I was talking to an old friend. What a wonderful, humble and friendly person. He's the kind of guy that could never have and enemy - so down to earth. I heard someone else say, "What a great artist, and such a nice guy". He asked if I had seen the painting of Porter's Place and I said I had. I told him that one of the guys in the painting is our home teacher from church. I loved all of the paintings.

So, I had such a great evening visiting galleries and feeling inspired. It really made me want to paint more and learn more from these great artists. The figurative show will last for several weeks so you still have a chance to see it.

Friday, March 25, 2011

A Colorful Life


Tonight, March 25,2011, there's a three man show at Montomery-Lee Fine Art in Park City, Utah - 608 Main St. "Celebration of the figure" with works by Trent Gudmundsen, Mike Malm and Keith Larson. 6-9 pm.

You are guaranteed to enjoy the works of these incredible figurative artist. Maybe you've seen prints of their works or pictures of the originals, but there's nothing like seeing an original with your own eyes. The difference is like talking to someone with a webcam or face to face. I've noticed in original paintings there is life to them. You can see the strokes of the artist, you can appreciate the intermingling or colors, and you notice something new every time.

Ever since I started collecting original artwork I've had a hard time to enjoy anything else on my walls. I love the feeling that emanates from them and I can feel the unique creative spirit of the artist in my home. If you don't have an original piece of art in your home I challenge you to begin and look for one. When you find one you love, and can afford, you will never regret it and it will be something that will be a part of your home. As I grew up my parents purchased original artwork when they could and the other day I was unpacking a box at their house since they were moving, and I found a beautiful little landscape that I remember from when I was very young. I didn't realize until now that it was an original. I just liked how it made me feel.

So start tonight. The last Friday of each month is the gallery stroll in Park City. It's wonderful! You can go from gallery to gallery and see what you love. There is even refreshments. Doesn't cost a thing.

Create a more colorful life by finding a little (or big) treasure that belongs in your life. I have found something I love for as little as $5. You'll enjoy the search.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Opposition in all Things




Top painting by Trent Gudmundsen Painting on right by Laila Garza

One thing we know about life is things never go as planned. Most of us like to feel consistency in our lives and often resist change. If we really could control what happens in our lives our progression would probably be very small. We'd live in a safe little box with our limited view of what we think we need and want. But Heavenly Father has a much greater plan for us. His dreams for us are greater than we can imagine. So he mixes things up. When, in His wisdom he knows it's time for growth he gives us challenges. He stretches us. He patiently and lovingly waits for us to reach for Him when we feel all hope is gone - when life is too scary to handle alone. Picture a baby who is learning to walk. They don't beleive they can do it. It's really scary. But they get placed in a position where they have to do something. They have to try and begin to take a step and then another and when they begin to fall a loving mother or father catches them. Then what do they feel - surprised, excited, encouraged.

If things always went the way we wanted life would be pretty boring. Whenever I'm sick with the flu and I start to feel better I feel so happy and thankful for life. We don't appreciate health without sickness, or cleanliness without messiness, happiness without some misery, or life without death . A scripture in the Book of Mormon states, "For it must needs be that there is an opposition in all things" (2 Nephi 2:11) So there really is purpose in the pain of life. Heavenly Father is not unfeeling but full of love. He knows the end and all the blessings in store for us.

This even applies to painting. This week I'm sharing the things I've learned from Utah Artist Trent Gudmundsen. He said that you can't have bright color without gray or dull colors. If you apply bright color alone it won't appear as bright as if you pair it with a gray (especially a gray with it's complimentary color). So even in what we see visually God created it that way. Paintings are brighter when there's gray and life is brighter and better when there are gray days.

I know a big part of frustration in my life as a Mom is when my children fight and don't get along. I think that's why it's so sweet when I see them love eachother and be kind to eachother. I did a little painting of such a moment of my two youngest children to remind me and them to try to have more loving moments.

So don't fight the stretching and growth needed in your life. You will be surprised that you are stronger than you thought you were and you'll move forward in the great plan of progression and happiness - instead of living in a cozy and safe little box.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Welcome Spring!!!!


After a long cold winter I am celebrating the joyous arrival of Spring. For me Spring always brings with it a feeling of hope, a sense of awe at the beautiful world around me and a desire to live life fully. I suppose it's how the bears feel as they leave their caves after a long cold winter of hibernation.

My 10 year old son with autism has been planning for two months now for this day. I know he invisioned the first day of spring to be warm and cozy with an instant change from snow to flowers and sunshine. He kept seeking reassurance from me - "No coat in Spring. No Snow in Spring". I wanted to promise him these things but I tried to explain that Spring is gradual. Things change slowly. Sometimes we don't even notice until one day we wake up and realize we've arrived.

I think that the slow and gradual pace of Spring, or the growth of a garden, or a child, or progress towards whatever we are working on is meant to take time. As we accept this as a principle of life we will establish inside of us hope to see our dreams come true and we will find patience for the wait. I know so many times I've given up on a goal or a dream because I lose hope to ever attain it and can't see any progression. But, I am realizing it is wisdom to hold fast to my dreams and know that step by step, if I continue on I will see them come true.

In our fast paced society today, people want instantaneous results. Not too many people are even trying to pursue their dreams because "it's too hard". We want things easy and fast. But all things that matter take time. I tell my children that things that you feel like doing and are easy usually aren't good for us - like sitting around all day, eating junk food, and putting off homework. But things that require discipline and that we often don't feel like doing, like exercising, cleaning house, pursuing or practicing a talent we have, doing what we have to do right away, and reading scriptures really make us feel happy and fulfilled. Think of the long term effects of either choice. Becoming unhealty and unfullfilled or being happy, healthy and fulfilled.

I've been trying to learn something new every day from artists that I admire. I've learned so much from Utah artist Trent Gudmundsen. He said that it's very important to remember that there are two types of light - warm light and cool light. When light on your subject is warm, the shadows will be cool(er). When your subject is in cool light that shadows will be cool(er). I've been trying to train my eyes to see whether the light is warm or cool.

My progression in art is slow and most times imperceptible. But I'm occasionally very pleasantly surprised when I see something I did a few years ago and realize that I am really progressing. I am holding on tight and beleiving that step by step I will come closer to seeing my dreams come true.

This is the first painting I saw by Trent Gudmundsen. I loved his style and use of color. I sat there staring and thought "That's what I would like to paint like". Check out his work at



Happy Spring! Now, go chase your dreams.