The Artist's Touch

I snapped this photo this morning at the 
Rockies Plein Air Quick Draw in Estes Park, Colorado. 
The painting and the hand belong to 
my favorite artist and husband Dennis Reinke.

(I blogged about the 2011 Rockies Plein air Event here.)


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A Word About the Visual Arts

"How important are the visual arts in our society? I feel strongly that the visual arts are of vast and incalculable importance. Of course I could be prejudiced. I am a visual art." 

-- Kermit the Frog

Dennis Reinke painting Quiet Place watercolor during Rockies Plein Air Quick Draw competition in Estes Park, CO August 27, 2011

As the wife of a painter, I admit I'm prejudiced when it comes to the importance of visual art in our society. I know that a painting can do more than bring pleasure to the viewer, it can also inform. A work of art can act as a historical document. Before cameras and videos, artists captured entire cultures with their painting. Think of cave art and hieroglyphics. 

Dennis has been painting the Rocky Mountain National Park for quite a few years. Some scenes he previously painted have changed dramatically, either through natural disasters or ecosystem restoration and management. A part of the Park's landscape history lives on in his paintings. Of course, Dennis will tell you that his art is first and foremost his spiritual connection. And that is of "vast and incalculable importance" to him.

This year's Plein Air Rockies event came to a close on Saturday. But not before the 90-minute Quick Draw competition in the morning at Riverside Plaza. About 30 artists painted  under the beautiful Estes Park sky. . .

Dennis was the first to finish with his watercolor Quiet Place.

His interpretation of this scene. . .

The artists framed and hung their "wet" paintings for the auction, which immediately followed the Quick Draw. . .

I helped our friend Jeff keep track of the auction sales. . .

The Cultural Arts Council of Estes Park sponsors the annual event, with the help of many contributors and volunteers. I'm glad I live in a community that supports the arts, but all the glory belongs to God the Creator. Without Him there would be no arts, visual or otherwise.

Praise the LORD! 

Praise the LORD from the heavens; 

Praise Him in the heights! 

Praise Him, all His angels; 

Praise Him, all His hosts! 

Praise Him, sun and moon; 

Praise Him, all stars of light! 

Praise Him, highest heavens, 

And the waters that are above the heavens! 

Let them praise the name of the LORD, 

For He commanded and they were created. 

He has also established them forever and ever; 

He has made a decree which will not pass away.

Psalm 148:1-6 

Nancy

Just Plein Fun

Here at the Reinke homestead we've been busier than a one-armed paper hanger. Here's the last two weeks in review.
Plein Air Rockies took place in Estes Park August 14 -  27. 

As a participating artist, Dennis spent most of the two weeks painting in RMNP and the Allenspark and Estes Park areas. On August 22 at daybreak we scoured the Rim Lake Trailhead for painting subjects.


The early morning light gave the clouds and landscape an ethereal glow.

 A field of cheerful wildflowers greeted us...

As did a young bunny.

I couldn't resist photographing this handsome artist...

Later in the morning we drove to a spot overlooking Horseshoe Park in RMNP where Dennis painted and I worked on my novel...

On one of my leg-stretching breaks I shot some photographs. This one taken over Dennis' shoulder is a favorite...

I saw this little guy peeking at me while eating his breakfast. Before he scurried away I managed to get this shot...

 Rockies Plein Air culminated with a Quick Draw and Auction on August 28.

Twenty-three artists gathered on the Riverwalk to paint everything from portraits

 and still lifes

 to landscapes. 

The artists were given 90 minutes to complete and frame their work, then it was judged and entered into the auction. Dennis won second place with his watercolor, which went on to sell at auction to a lovely couple. 

We had a great time with our artist friends and look forward to next year's event.

That same weekend my two grandchildren came to stay with us. On Sunday before we drove to Loveland to meet their parents, Emma and Oliver expended energy at the Riverwalk playground.

The Boulder County Arts Alliance is hosting a plein air this Saturday. Dennis has been out painting farms in Boulder County. I tagged along last Thursday and got this photo of an abandoned mine in the hillside.

While he's not painting, Dennis and I continue to look at real estate. This past Saturday we drove to Grand Lake 

and on to Georgetown to look around. On the drive back home I snapped this photo of Sleeping Indian Mountain. Can you see the profile of the Indian's face?

And that's the condensed version of the last two weeks. Still having fun.