June Blog Post
Join us for June's First Friday ArtWalk!
Published by Squash Blossom
Come visit us at the Squash Blossom from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on June 7th for OCC ArtWalk!
We will have live demonstrations by our two featured artists, Phil Lear and Mike Dwyer.
About our Featured Artists:
Phil Lear
Phil Lear's painting strives to present a certain poetic insight into the world around. His style and brushwork harmonize with the character of his subject, to reveal the inborn charm of painting. Born in Ontario, Canada, in 1975. Phil Grew up with a very close love of art. Always drawing and sketching, he expressed his creativity early by writing and illustrating stories and cartoons. His family moved to the United States in 1990 where Phil developed his skills in all the high school art classes, and worked with a select group of young artists known as Smiling Shep Designs, producing banners and artwork for the surrounding community.
In 1993 Phil enrolled in Pensacola Christian College's Commericial Art Program, where he studied for four years under established illustrators and designers. It was during this time when he began to realize a passion for painting and for expressing the beauty he saw all around. Personal study and a deep love for the art of the Renaissance and Late Victorian Eras increased both his knowledge of painterly innovation, and his fast beating desire to become an artist himself. After illustrating for missionaries in Switzerland in 1999, Phil returned to the United States and began taking steps toward entering the professional world of painters. He became a charter member of the portrait society of America, and has displayed work in several public exhibitions and competitions. Phil now furthers his study and artistic journey in the company of other fine artists at the Cottonwood Artists' School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His paintings deal with the beauty in common scenes of nature and everyday folk. He finds inspiration in the touching effects of light and shadow, and the narrative splendor of the simple things in life. Like the Academy painters of the 1800's, Phil prefers to work with a warm, limited palette, using subdued colors to bring a calm and natural mood to the canvas.
Mike Dwyer
Mike began expressing his love for birds and nature at an early age by carving waterfowl and songbirds out of wood. His medium eventually evolved into bronze sculpting which has allowed him to add a completely new dimension to his work. His limited edition bronze sculptures range from very detailed bald eagles, to smooth, elegant mourning doves and life-like sculptures of children interacting with nature. His eye for anatomy, balance and flow are evident in each sculpture.
Living in Loveland, Colorado has enabled Mike to learn the whole process of the "Lost Wax" method of bronze sculpting and is involved in the completion of each sculpture. Mike's pieces can be found in private collections and public settings throughout the United States and Australia. he has been honored with People's Choice Awards and Juror's Awards for his beautiful life-like sculptures and detailed work. In addition to his edition work available, Mike is also available for one-of-a-kind commissions.
Vindicator by Phil Lear
Wapiti by Mike Dwyer
Quick Reminder:
There is a FREE shuttle system that runs between Downtown Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs! The Free First Friday Shuttle Bus is the perfect way to gallery hop through Old Colorado City. Visit PeakRadar.com/FirstFriday for full schedules.
Browse The Squash Blossom's collection of fine art by these talented artists and others in store, or online! :)
Don't miss the opportunity to speak with these Artists on June 7th, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at June's First Friday ArtWalk! Call 719-632-1899 for more information.