TOG Artists

Darlene Bushue Photography

“I LOVE the outdoors, and the mountains are my happy place”, says Darlene.

“Many years ago, we visited the Canadian Rockies, and instantly fell in love with what the mountains have to offer; from breathtaking scenery to countless wildlife sightings”. Darlene continues, “I remember traveling through a small town in British Columbia where the welcome sign states, “Mountains bring peace to the people.” That sign, as well as John Muir’s quote, “The mountains are calling and I must go” resonate with me.

This inspiration is what led Darlene and her husband to relocate to the mountains of Allenspark, CO nearly four years ago.

“Whether it’s shooting landscapes or wildlife, I find such a sense of peace and solitude just being there in the moment. It’s nourishment for my soul, and a reminder that life really is good. I hope you visually enjoy some of the journeys I have to share.”

darlenebushuephotography.com

Patty Dwyer Oils and Pastels

Patty likes to capture joy, exuberance, texture, vibrant colors and the interplay of light, shadow and passion in her work—whether en plein air or in her studio. Her style is both impressionistic and expressionistic with the use of color, light, brushwork and emotion in her oil paintings and soft pastels.

Her work has been shown in Aspen, Breckenridge, Frisco, Estes Park and Grand Lake, as well as The Depot Gallery, Main Street Fine Art Gallery, Mary Williams Fine Art, Space Gallery, Cherokee Castle, and Outnumbered Gallery in Littleton. She is a member of Plein Air Artists of Colorado, Colorado Pastel Society, The Littleton Fine Arts Guild and Roxborough Arts. Her studio is located at artSPARK Creative Studios in Littleton, where she teaches a variety of classes. For more information visit www.pattydwyerartist.com.

Leslie S. Emerson Jewelry, Mixed Media

Artist Leslie Emerson is a Colorado native who creates jewelry, bead embroidery, clay, and mixed media pieces incorporating primarily ancient, antique and vintage beads, and found objects.

“Beads are the earliest evidence of Man’s ability to think in abstract terms,” says Leslie. I love using rare, tactile, and imaginative pieces to create one-of-a-kind jewelry and visual art. Incorporated in my work are items such as ancient fossils, antique European glass and metal beads, antique and contemporary handmade clay beads, gems and minerals, found objects, antique and contemporary Japanese glass beads, ancient and antique beads from Egypt and other areas of Africa and the Middle East, fine silver beads from the Thai Hill Tribe people, Sterling silver and brass and gold filled beads, ancient shell and fish vertebrae, and contemporary lampwork glass beads by artist from around the world, and more.

http://ebcacolorado.org/leslie-emerson

George Epp Woodturning

George Epp uses his lathe to turn Colorado’s pine and aspen into beautiful pieces of art.  After retiring he went back to an interest in wood turning that began in junior high wood shop classes. He has developed techniques for inlaying turquoise and abalone shell in the cracks and recesses in the wood he finds locally.  His forms often evoke the simplicity of Native American potteryand the patterns of inlay are a reminder of Colorado’s streams and lakes.

George has lived in Boulder County, Colorado since 1951.  His 30-year career with the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, included 12-years as the elected county sheriff.  He also served a stint as Director of Emergency Management for the State of Colorado and four years as executive director of County Sheriffs of Colorado.

Lyn E. Ferguson Photography

Lyn has observed and photographed natural wonders and wildlife in Africa, Australia, Costa Rica, Peru, the Galápagos Islands, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, National Parks throughout the United States and now Estes Park. Her photography reflects respect and gratitude for the gifts of nature and an ability to pay attention to and appreciate the large and small in nature.

Lyn finds that “everything experienced by the senses is meant for the spirit.” Therefore, the visual art of photography, at its finest, is spiritual expression.

Lyn retired to Estes Park after a 34-year career as a counselor working with college and high school students. Lyn received her BA and MA from the University of Northern Colorado, and her EdS and PhD from the University of Florida.

Dawn Foster Jeffries Dye & Plant Artist

Dawn Foster Jeffries is a botanical dye and plant artist. She finds great joy in merging her passions for science, nature, outdoor exploration, and gardening through her work with dyes extracted from plants and eco printing. Eco printing is a remarkable technique that allows natural dyes, pigments, tannins, and textures found in plants to be transferred onto various surfaces like paper, fabric, and clay. This process involves careful arrangement of leaves, flowers, and other botanical materials onto the chosen surface.From a young age, she was fascinated by the scientific world, performing experiments with her mother,who was a microbiologist. Working with botanical dyes and plants has allowed her to continue herexploratory endeavors. 

All of her art is made using plants. Her art process includes growing and collecting plant specimens. Shecompresses and steams plant matter between paper or fabric to capture the pigments and patterns from the actual plant. She grows many of these plants in her ever-expanding dye garden. She also loves exploring Colorado’s trails with her Labrador Retriever, Link, gathering plant material to use to craft her prints. Her art is inspired by the mysteries and science of vegetation native to Colorado and throughout the world.

She is a Colorado native and lives in Littleton with her spouse and 3 children. In addition to creating art and shuttling her children from activity to activity, she enjoys working with children through Destination Imagination, a creative, problem-solving STEAM program.

Malena Hirschfeld Oil Paintings

Malena is a contemporary western artist most inspired by horses and rocky mountain wildlife. Horses have been both a fascination and a major part of her life for as long as she can remember. They’ve played a role in teaching me independence, patience, responsibility, and creative escape. The individuality, intelligence, grace, and beauty of horses is what she captures in her work.

She attended Colorado State University where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in fine art with a concentration in painting. She continued painting as a hobby while she pursued her master’s degree in education from the University of Northern Colorado and became an elementary school teacher. Though she remains passionate about early childhood education and the role of art in children’s lives, Malena decided to leave the classroom to pursue her dream of becoming a professional artist.
She is currently a member of The Old Gallery, Thompson Valley Art League, Longmont Artists Guild, Firehouse Art Center, Cowgirl Artists of America, and the East Boulder County Artists, and enjoys attending local art festivals. Her work is currently on display at Western Stars Gallery in Lyons, Colorado and Lincoln Gallery in Loveland, Colorado.

Painting has been a therapeutic escape for as long as I can remember. I studied painting and graphic design in college, and worked as a graphic designer for many years. My paintings reflect a graphic quality that studies shadow, shape, and light.

My painting mediums are watercolor and oil; as a watercolorist living and working in a humid climate for twenty years, imagine my surprise when I moved to the dry, high desert of Estes Park! I made the move to oils, enjoying their longer drying time. I make sketches using watercolor, but now use it as a way to plan an oil painting. Artist influences include Ed Mell, Mary Sims, Georgia O’Keee, John Singer Sargent. All of them have one thing in common – the depiction of light and shadow. I paint whatever subject matter inspires me, be it portraits to landscapes.

lauradhutton@gmail.com
901-550-9603

Robin is a retired veterinary pathologist with a passion for wildlife. During the past 15 years she has combined her love of animals with her interest in photography into an all-consuming hobby. Robin and her husband, Wayne, split their time between their home in Loveland and their cabin in Allenspark, where they enjoy watching the many birds they attract to their property. She finds birds particularly challenging and rewarding to photograph. Robin and Wayne have traveled extensively together to photograph birds and other wildlife in their natural habitats. Spending time in nature and sharing a quiet moment of connection with animals while capturing images is a source of great joy.

https://www.instagram.com/robinjasperwildlife/
https://www.pictorem.com/gallery/Robin.Jasper.Wildlife.Photography

Heather Kegel Ceramics

Heather graduated in June 2015 with a BFA in studio art from the University of Denver. After graduation, Heather slowly began assembling her own studio, purchasing a wheel and installing a kiln in her sun-porch. As a regular studio practice emerged, she dedicated more and more time to her craft, finally transitioning to a full time artist in August 2021.

Heather is a member of the Boulder Potters’ Guild and East Boulder County Artists. She participates in Guild shows and sales and EBCA studio tours and events. She is also a ceramic instructor at Wheelhouse Clay in Longmont, and the Boulder Potters’ Guild.
Heather has shown in a number of local and national galleries, including Plinth Gallery, Redline, Muse Gallery, Pottery Northwest, the Firehouse Art Center, Flower City Arts Center, Pirate: Contemporary Art, and Charlie Cummings Gallery.

Susan Krauth Acrylics

Born and raised in Northern Indiana, I wanted an indoor hobby to occupy my time during the long, cold winters and hot, humid summers. I picked up a paint brush at the age of 10 and haven’t stopped painting since.  I became serious about painting in 2001 and traveled the country doing art shows for about 10 years. After settling down in Estes Park in 2016, I began to focus on painting wildlife. I paint out of my home in downtown Estes and have my art displayed in many establishments throughout town.

Diane Kremer Jewelry

Diane Kremer has been making jewelry for over fifteen years.  She primarily works with polymer clay, metal clay, leather, and gemstone beads.  She loves the rustic, natural beauty of Colorado and strives to capture this aesthetic in her work.  Her goal is to create art jewelry that is as inspired as its wearer. Diane says “Polymer clay is a miraculous material that can do just about anything.  It is compatible with so many art products from across the mixed-media spectrum that the sky is the limit for my creations.”  

Diane began her professional career as a computer engineer and worked in high-tech for 20 years. After leaving the computer industry and becoming an empty nester she embarked on a second career as a jeweler.

Diane is now a full-time working artist who sells her jewelry at juried art fairs all along the Front Range.  She is thrilled to be exhibiting at Lincoln Gallery in Loveland, 3 Square Art in Fort Collins, the Firehouse Art Center in Longmont, the OpenStudiosDowntown Gallery in Boulder, and the OpenStudios Boulder Junction Gallery in Boulder.

Her work was included in the Museum of Boulder’s exhibit “Drawing Parallels: Community Art and Artifacts from 2020”.  Diane is an active member of the East Boulder County Artists Association, the Mile High Polymer Clay Guild, Open Studios, and is a former president of the Rocky Mountain Bead Society.

dianekremerjewelry.com

Bill Lembke Ceramics

Using clay and glaze to create physical, three-dimensional pieces of art is what makes this medium so attractive. Creating works that show not only color but depth is what makes my pieces vibrant and alive. Influenced by nature, my work can sometime be direct, as with my fish, or somewhat abstract, as with my bowls. All my work is inspired bynatural shapes and forms. And my ultimate goal is to make the viewer have a reaction like a smile, a thought, a sigh, a memory. Many of my pieces are rooted in memories; my trees remind me of my grandmother at Christmas. The wood base on the trees and the trees reminds of my father’s workshop. Finding art that makes you think, remember or feel is the goal of myself and many artists.

LembkeArt@Mac.com

“I believe in letting the metal find its way, the gemstones speak to me, and pull inspiration from nature often.   All my pieces are hand-crafted and one-of-a-kind. I want people to have an organic personal attraction to the pieces…something that speaks to you. Being “imperfectly perfect” is all part of the process.”

Rachel has a fine arts metalsmithing degree from Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, PA. She has created her own line of jewelry for over 20 years and have been in many hand-crafted shows over the years. She works from her home studio in Longmont, Colorado, with her faithful studio dog Mara by her side. The other half of her business name is from Mara’s cousin Luna in Santa Barbara, CA.

maralunajewelry.com

Mary Morse Fiber Art

A nature enthusiast at heart!  Mary, a neighboring resident of Allenspark, grew up in the east, where she enjoyed gardening and hiking the Appalachian Trail.  Mary taught kindergarten for 9-years, during which time the classroom crafts inspired her passion for Dyeing, Fiber Arts and Felt Making.   

Over the course of 12-years, Mary traveled the county; teaching Felt Making while marketing her exquisite creations.   Her remote studio in the Mountains, offers an abundance of materials (example; leaves, foliage and flowers), which she uses to naturally dye and create botanical prints on silk.

We are thrilled to display Mary’s original, “Mother Nature Inspired and Incorporated” hand crafted scarfs, hats, bags and other fun apparel at The Old Gallery.

Julie Neri Ceramics

Growing up on the Connecticut shore gave Julie Neri an appreciation for sea life, trees, leaves and the patterns found within nature. You will see many of these patterns reflected in the texture of her clay creations: the veins in a leaf, the bark of a tree, the shell of a sea turtle, and the rambling stones of a rock wall.

Julie began her relationship with clay through the need for a non-intellectual pursuit after obtaining her Masters in Public Administration. That was 30 years ago and clay has since become an essential part of her life.  She started by throwing on the wheel and took many years of adult classes.  She later started her studio in her house, began exploring hand building and found that hand building is what she craves.  Julie’s work is based in texture, inspired by nature and infused with a touch of whimsy.  She is known for her leaf trees, houses, sea turtles, painter’s palettes, planters and vases.

Julie is the Sale Treasurer for the Boulder Potter’s Guild (BPG), and Communications Coordinator for The Old Gallery Artists.  You can find her work on Etsy, at the BPG sales in Longmont, CO twice a year, at The Old Gallery, Allenspark and The Aspen & Evergreen Gallery, Estes Park year-round. 

julieneripottery.com

Cheryl Pennington Photography and Hand Tinting

Cheryl was born in Emporia, Kansas and received her B.A. from Emporia State University. She taught physical education and coached gymnastics, swimming, tennis and track in Niwot and Longmont, Colorado. Upon retiring, Cheryl rekindled a long time interest in black and white photography and, for a different look, began to hand color black and white images with oil paints and colored pencils. Black and white photos were often hand colored before the advent of color film. She hand colors her own images as well as historic photos. She has been involved in hand-coloring photos for numerous books and articles about Colorado including Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s book, Rocky Mountain Rustic, YMCA OF THE ROCKIES, Reflections, Traditions and Vision, Rocky Mountain National Park – Historic Places by William B. Butler, and Rocky Mountain National Park – Pictorial History and Estes Park – Beginnings, both by Kenneth Jessen. She was recently chosen for the Hall of Fame at Emporia State University for contributions made in the teaching profession during her 30-year career.

Lois Rentz Fused Glass

I have always had a passion for glass.  My love for this art started over 40 years ago with stained glass learned during high school, glass blowing in college, and fusing for the past dozen years. My interest in this art medium has not slowed down.   

I grew up in Illinois, received a bachelor degree in Business Administration and a minor in Art at Illinois State University.  I married, moved to Colorado in the early 80s, continued with a paralegal certificate and fully immersed myself into glass after raising our three children.

Glass is fused using one of my three kilns located in my home studio.  Temperatures for a full fuse might go as high as 1500 degrees, the whole process taking 8-15 hours which is determined by the thickness of the glass.  Depending on the outcome desired, some pieces may be in the kiln two or three different times.  There is rarely a day when one of my kilns are not running.   There is something special about taking a flat sheet of glass, cutting it into various shapes, and programming a kiln to mold it into something new and interesting.  I am currently having fun making my mid century modern panels, most featuring cats.  

I’m a member of the Glass Artists of Colorado and the Boulder County Arts Alliance.  I’ve exhibited, sold items, and won awards at the Echters Glass Art Show, 40 West Gallery, and the Cheyenne Botanic Garden Show, among others.  I currently have work at galleries in Georgetown, Central City and Lyons, Colorado.  

Eli Roehl Jewelry

Eleanor (Eli) Roehl works in the pristine beauty in the shadow of a 14,000 foot peak in the Colorado Rockies. In this remote studio, her appreciation for Nature is reflected in unique one-of-a-kind jewelry.

Very concerned about protecting our environment, she uses hand-built, recycled metal in abstract and expressionistic designs.  Her designs compliment the stones she personally selects making each truly unique. The colorful, semiprecious stones in her designs, often draw from the vibrant colors of the Caribbean, where she once lived. Recent additions to her collection, Eli is incorporating Native American spirit and power fetishes in many of her designs.

Her elegance of style translates into highly collectible jewelry that appeals to an upscale, sophisticated market.

MaryLynn Schumacher Clay Tiles

While earning a Bachelor’s of Environmental Design, emphasizing architecture, from the University of Colorado, Boulder, MaryLynn Schumacher became fascinated with clay while taking a recreational pottery class at the Pottery Lab, also in Boulder.  After college, MaryLynn focused full time on becoming a professional clay artist. Largely self-taught, she has acquired skills and learned techniques working with talented potters and artists in shared local cooperative studios and organizations, including Mud-luscious Studio, the Boulder Potters’ Guild, and Centercraft Studios. Living and working in Boulder, she has been an exhibiting artist since 1989, participating 24 years in Boulder’s Open Studios Tour, 19 years in the Boulder Potters’ Guild Spring and Fall sales, and 15 years in Loveland’s Sculpture in The Park show.

About the bird tiles:

This series of tiles features birds regularly seen throughout the Front Range: goldfinches in gardens, chickadees in wooded areas, ravens and crows spying on and commenting on human behavior throughout the metro area.  Each handmade tile starts by pressing soft clay into plaster molds designed and cast by Schumacher. Additional details are sculpted to refine the bird. Once the clay stiffens, the background design is stamped or drawn by hand. This process of hand sculpting and drawing makes each tile unique.  Once dried, the tiles are bisque fired.  After this initial firing, layers of slips, stains, and glazes are applied to give each tile a rich and varied finish. The tiles are then fired again in an electric kiln to melt the glaze and fuse it to the tile. A wire hanger is added so the tile is ready to display. Protect tile from wet, freezing weather.

Debra Stanger Acrylics, Oils, and Pastels

“Boldly Beautiful” is how a collector of Debra’s work describes her art.
Debra is an award-winning artist who taught art for much of her career. Debra’s passion is for painting animals, nature, and intuitive abstracts. She enjoys exploring the relationship of colors, expressive brush strokes, and luscious texture. Debra works mainly in acrylics, oils, and is currently painting in pastels again, but loves learning from and experimenting with all mediums.
Her goal is to connect to the viewers soul in a positive way bringing smiles and joy to people’s life. Debra resides in the beautiful front range of Colorado where she enjoys gardening and just meditating in the peacefulness and beauty of nature.

Linda Toukan  Jewelry

Linda Toukan lives and creates beautiful jewelry in Boulder, CO.

Linda’s jewelry reflects her love of metal and stone.  An artistic mix of Silver, Gold, Bronze, Brass and gemstones compose her work.  Her pieces often express a relationship to others or earth.  An elegant, organic look prevails.   Metals such as Bronze and Silver are often combined for contrast and beauty. Fusing and Soldering are predominantly employed and many times in collaboration with each other.  Linda often applies 24K Gold using Keum-Boo, an ancient technique for applying gold with heat and pressure.  Wire wrapping is sometimes combined with soldered and fused pieces.

Linda’s website is SanitasDesigns.com.

Andrew Treaster Photography

Andrew is a nature and wildlife photographer specializing in the Rocky Mountains and American West. He grew up on a family farm in Kansas and picked up a camera at a young age.  Through his extensive travels from Kansas to Colorado (on family vacations), and then to South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, Andrew developed a passion for capturing beautiful images and sharing them with the world.  When Andrew moved to Colorado, he began focusing on documenting Rocky Mountain National Park and other U.S. National Parks.  Andrew’s goal is to transport the viewer through his art and to convey the same sense of wonder that inspired his creation of the image.  Andrew and his wife split their time between Denver and Allenspark and are working to share their love of the outdoors with their young daughter.

You can learn more at andrewtreasterphotography.com.

Sally creates stained glass art panels that are original designs embellished with fused glass. Her inspiration comes primarily from the beauty and vastness of nature, but also from the glass itself. Different from traditional stained glass, she utilizes large pieces of glass to take advantage of all the colors and swirls inherent in glass. These characteristics of glass become part of her designs. Many of Sally’s original designs incorporate a tree branch, which are found in the forests and glorious mountain trails of Colorado. Other embellishments are layers and bits of glass fused in her studio kiln. She has been a member of the Littleton Fine Arts Guild since 2011 and a member of The Old Gallery since 2015. Her work has been featured at the Lonetree Art Expo and The Depot Art Gallery in Littleton.

www.woodandglassartwork.com or to discuss email sjv3@comcast.net.

Dawn Wilson Photography

Dawn Wilson is a professional and award-winning nature photographer specializing in images of wildlife of high altitudes and high latitudes of the Rocky Mountains and Alaska. Her images, which are frequently paired with her writing in editorial channels, tell the story of wildlife, their homes and the struggles, challenges and successes they experience. Her work has appeared in numerous regional and national publications, including Outdoor Photographer, Colorado Life, Colorado Outdoors and Nature’s Best Photography as well as galleries and private collections across the U.S. She resides in Estes Park, Colorado with her boyfriend, husky and two cats. You can learn more at www.dawnwilsonphotography.com.