Some Pumpkin and Spice and the story of how I began painting in galleries.
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Recently as I drove from Colorado to South Carolina, I picked up several pumpkins at local fruit stands along the way. I couldn't resist their color and wanted to paint them.
Autumn Gourds and Pumpkins with Cleavers 24x30 $4750.00
painted at Edward J. Bednar Fine Art Charleston
Pumpkins and Purple with Crocks 24x30 $4800.
painted at Edward J. Bednar Fine Art Charleston
This summer, I was working at the Shaun Horne Gallery in Crested Butte, Colorado. The gallery has a vibrant nacho cheese colored wall and a wonderful red wall.Just had to paint those walls!
Summer Sunflowers before the window and the Nacho Cheese Wall 36x30 $7200.
painted at the Shaun Horne Gallery Crested Butte
Red Wall of Color and Joy 22x40 SOLD
painted at the Shaun Horne Gallery, Crested Butte
The sunflowers were painted again outside on the patio with the red gallery shutters.
Summer Sunflowers with Red 30x24 $4700.
painted at the Shaun Horne Gallery in Crested Butte
Next, I was in Telluride painting at the Turquoise Door Gallery. Set up a still life of objects from Valerie's breakfast table and painted them in the gallery’s window for the First Friday Gallery Walk.
Watermelon at the Turquoise Door Gallery 24x30 $4700.
How did I begin painting onsite in galleries?
Many years ago my work was exhibited at Breckenridge Fine Art Gallery. I was there painting outdoors plein air. The weather was horribly windy and cold so I sought refuge in the gallery.
Bored and looking for something to do, I asked the gallery director Paul Cohen if I could paint in the gallery? I set up a still life using the gallery’s flowers and placed them and Paul's lunch on a chair in front of a Fedor Zakharov painting.
Jane’s Flowers in front of the Zakharov 30x24 SOLD
The painting went very well and many people stopped to converse. Lots of enjoyable exchanges. By the end of the day, the painting had sold!
As I left, Paul sheepishly said in his English brogue, "You know Don, we could do this again... If you wanted too."
Big smile. And we did!
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And now, some SPICE!
Betting on a pair, Jack High 11x14 $850
Pipe Kit Paraphernalia 11x14 $850
Brandy and a Smoke 11x14 $850
In this holiday time of giving thanks, please enjoy family, friends, appreciate the color and savor the spice.
Thanks for reading and for your support!
Don Sahli
Sahlipaint Studio LLC.
sahlipaint@gmail.com
303.588.2226 please leave a message.
