Debbie Edgers Sturges in Africa

Warning!  This post may make you envious!  Or, perhaps, it will inspire you to travel to these exciting destinations yourself.  And, we hope it will encourage you to travel to Scottsdale for the 2010 Celebration of Fine Art to see the new works of art inspired by these images!

Debbie Edgers Sturges and her husband, Brian, fulfilled a life long dream to travel to Africa this summer.  They joined 6 other SAA (Society of Animal Artists) for 10 days at the “Serian Camp” in the Masai Mara.  They headed out every day with their guide, Daniel to see animals in their natural habitat.  Debbie took over 7,000 photographs!

Debbie Edgers Sturges photographs elephants in Africa.

Brian, an avid bird watcher, counted 175 new species of birds and they saw all of the “Big 5″ – lions, leopards, rhinos, cape buffaloes and elephants!  Be sure to visit Debbie’s studio at the 2010 Celebration of Fine Art to see the newest paintings inspired by this trip!

Debbie Edgers Sturges photographs rhinos in Africa

And, now, on to Asia!  Rosa Leung Trombitas and her husband, Steve, traveled to Asia this summer for creative inspiration as well as stock up on art supplies unique to Chinese painting.

Rosa Leung Trombitas selects new paint brushes in while China

While in Asia, they also enjoyed the sights and culinary delights of China as well as Singapore over a three-week stay in various places in these countries.  She also had an occasion to visit with her old master of Chinese painting, under whom she studied, who is now more than eighty years old.  Having  been inspired during her trip, she’s now back in her studio in high gear, creating pieces for the 2010 Celebration of Fine Art!

Rosa Lleung Trombitas enjoying her trip to Asia

And, finally (for this post) – Italy! Liana Sofia Tumino traveled once again to the place where her family is from in Italy!  This is a constant source of inspiration for Liana and her fresco art work and this trip was no exception!  She enjoyed time with family members, the fresh foods and home made breads and an abundance of beauty all around!  She put together this video called “My Italy” to share her memories.  You will be sure to see many new pieces of art work inspired by this trip at the 2010 Celebration of Fine Art!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owelisH-CVI

We can’t wait to see you for our 2010 show! This post and the stories of these three artist is just a small sampling of the travels, experiences and inspiration that go in to all of the works of art that you will enjoy when you visit us January 16 through March 28, 2010! In the meantime, be sure to follow us on FaceBook and Twitter by clicking on the links to the right of your screen!

Martha and I, Graydon and Jeanne Foulger, just returned from a great two weeks in San Miguel de Allende. Ours was a painting trip, so I am attaching some photos of the trip.  Other news, Martha has received a commission from the City of Irving, Texas, to create a life-and-one-quarter size rearing horse for the entryway to the City. The horse, created in bronze, will be nearly 10 foot tall, and will be installed in the fall of 2008.Here are photos of a new monumental piece just installed in the new Yanney Park, Kearney, Nebraska. It was dedicated July 28th, 2007. The Yanney Family Foundation has funded the new project.  Michael Yanney, CEO of America First, of Omaha.  Now called the Burlington Investment Trust.

Ken Newman: Ken has been winning awards like crazy which we have covered in our newsletter but he also spends a great deal of time in the out of doors soaking up the nature that he loves so much. His wife Debbie wrote, “He has to fill the freezer, here is two of the seven caught during our two week trip to Ft Bragg, CA. They are 25lbs and 16 lbs.

The beauty of Europe captures many. Some of our artists are visiting Europe this year. Heidi Rosner gathered more great reference during her trip. She wrote, “Spent a week in London (including the Chelsea Garden Show – amazing!) and a week in Tuscany this month. The Garden show was fabulous – perfect weather, but a bit on the crowded side… the day I went it was sold out (250,000 people were there!!!). Did a bit of painting in Tuscany. There were paintings everywhere I looked! Have been in the studio working on them ever since. Having a ball!”

Debbie Edgers Sturges and her husband visited the Grizzley bear reserve in Alaska. I think we can expect some fabulous bear paintings this year. “Brian and I just got back from Katmai yesterday and I’m getting my photos downloaded onto the computer! We had a life changing experience!!!! I start to paint today!”

Judging from these photos I think a fish fry may be in order!

Ann M