A window to the world
A collaborative community art project between Dos Gringos Burritos and Creative Spark Studio
7 windows + 7 Artists
Mary Noone
cultural theme: Carbondale
Who, but Mary Noone, would we invite to paint the DOS window that most perfectly frames our beloved Mt. Sopris? A favorite subject of Mary’s, we knew she would be able to capture the “Carbondale” theme like no other.
Mary describes her work and inspiration in the following way:
“COLOR is central to both my life and my work.. I love it and everything about it brings me joy. Color gets me out of bed in the morning and its visceral nature, the way it makes a person react and feel, fascinates me.
I paint almost exclusively PLEIN AIRE (Outdoors & On-Location) and attempt to capture the elusive moment of the “NOW” in every landscape. The unpredictability of weather conditions adds to the excitement of painting outside and it plays an integral role in my artistic expression.
MUSIC is also a major component in my artistic existence. For 25 years, I have been enjoying and promoting live music with my husband, Bob. Together, we have raised money and brought 223 free weekly acts to our mountain town with the Glenwood Springs Summer of Jazz. The free expression and joyous quality of Jazz, played outdoors, appeals to the spontaneity of my artistic nature.
HOME defines and influences me. Six animals, three children (Charlie/ 27, Vallee/ 25, Claire/ 22), one spouse of 31 years, and two nephews and a niece who live nearby, all regularly make my purple house overflow with love and laughter.
Another major influence on not only my work, but also the lives of my family, and myself has been PARKINSON'S DISEASE. At 35, doctors diagnosed me with early onset Parkinson’s Disease, which progressed slowly until the severity of my symptoms motivated me to undergo Deep Brain Stimulation surgery (DBS) two years ago. The surgery’s success has been miraculous and is visible in the renewed calmness of my strokes and increased approachability of my work. I AM BACK!”
Rochelle Norwood
cultural theme: Africa
Contact: Creative Spark Studio/www.sherigaynor.com
Rochelle grew up in Lotus, California. A small town girl, she spent her time on rivers or at home creating art before exploring the wide world. Her travels began in South America, then Northern Italy and finally, West Africa. She travelled to Ghana to dance and study Sociology at the University of Ghana. Rochelle then made subsequent visits to work on a documentary to help build the foundation for a Sustainable Arts Village with Africana Dance Ensemble and deliver $5,000, which she raised here in Carbondale to buy land for the village. She came to the realization that everything in her life is an art form and now juggles recent motherhood with teaching art, dance and sewing at Creative Spark Studio here in Carbondale. Keep and eye out for her lastest endeavor - a new chocolate company called Sweet Ruby’s (named after her darling daughter).
Kat Rich
cultural theme: Hawaii
Contact: kat@kdnk.org
Like many, my artistic process has come largely from self-exploration and the need to express what and how I feel about events that have occurred throughout my life. This is a new endeavor for me, one that I began only a few years ago but I know I will carry with me throughout my life.
My inspiration for this window comes from the years I spent living on the Big Island, Hawaii. The island landscape is so full of color, with its lush vegetation, bright, richly colored flowers, colorful fish, and beautiful azure waters. Sacred pursuits like surfing, sailing outrigger canoes, paddling and spear fishing are celebrations of a culture rooted deeply in its island beauty. In my opinion, Hawaii is a tropical version of our wonderful valley. It has been an honor to participate in this wonderful community art project. Please enjoy!
Amber Sparkles
cultural theme: Mexico (and outer space)
Amber has been described as the artistic soul of Carbondale and seems happily, if insanely, busy.! “I’m supporting this town with my art love,” she said. And this town loves her right back. She is the one behind those wild, happy, glitter-friendly paintings and sculptures you’ve surely seen splashed ALL over Carbondale. Her art is frequently displayed at The Lift, Dos Gringos and The Village Smithy. She also likes to leave little messages on telephone poles. If you’ve ever smiled at handmade signs that read “Dance” or “Peace Now,” that was probably thanks to her. Even more ubiquitous are her unmistakable light switches and “open” and “closed” signs, which fill Main Street shops. Her stuff is bright and fun and a bit girlie, covered with layers of puffy paint. It fits right in with that distinct, freeform friendliness of her community and of her.
About eight years ago, Amber started making her special breed of signs for the Smithy, the restaurant where she’s still a waitress. The rest of her time she spends working on 15-20 projects at once and decorating anything and everything she wants to. She’s a KDNK DJ and non-profit artist for local organizations, as well an artist-by-commission on the side. In 2007, she even became the featured artist for Glenwood’s Summer of Jazz, and her art was in an ad in Time Magazine. She seems happily, and insanely busy
Erin Rigney
cultural theme: Italy
www.erinrigney.com
One of the principals of Rainy Day Designs, Erin is no stranger to the power of rainy days, having spent many a downpour in pitched Monopoly battles against her 2 Irish Catholic brothers. Trained early in the value of strategy, hard work, and competitive spirit, Erin reached all her career goals by the young age of 27. She returned to school and has been the rainmaker of the firm ever since, nurturing Rainy Day Designs from a theoretical school project into a successful and award-winning design studio.
If you’re calling to chat, block out plenty of time — our extrovert is key in shaping the long-lasting personal relationships for which RDD is known. Mother of three and committed community member, Erin is more of a ray of sunshine than anything, as exemplified in her sun drenched Italian window that celebrates the scenery of Tuscany and the spirit of the Renaissance.
Kate Oldham
cultural theme: Moab/Utah
Kate has lived her whole 9-year-old life here in Carbondale. Already Moab and the Utah desert have a special place in her heart. She loves the hiking, rafting the Colorado and riding horses down in the desert. Moab was not originally on the “list” of cultural themes for the Windows to the World project. When the concept was explained to her (places around the world special to DOS the people of the valley), she felt strongly that our nearby desert sister city of Moab must be included. Her parents (owners of DOS) couldn’t agree more! They were married in Castle Valley at the bottom of Castleton Tower 17 years ago
Despite her short years, Kate has had a relatively long relationship with Sheri Gaynor, who has been integral in igniting her “creative spark.”
