The other day we had the pleasure of visiting with two of our collectors who come from Minnesota. They were sharing how much they look forward to coming every year. In fact, this year they drove down and came straight to the show before even stopping where they were staying. They absolutely could not wait to be under the big white tents to see their artist friends and see what was new. They spent several days discovering many new treasures and connecting with friends new and old. Their only regret was that they didn’t have enough time to stay as long as they wanted! They could not stop talking about how much they love the Celebration of Fine Art. It’s a feeling you can’t get any where else. They are on their way home today and looking forward to the next time they can join us. This wonderful couple is just one example of the daily conversations we have with our collectors. Some come and stay for a week and spend every day with us. Some come once a week or more during the 10 weeks of the show just to soak up the creativity and passion that fills the tent.

We are deeply humbled by the enthusiasm of our wonderful collectors and friends. You are why we do what we do. We are grateful to you for the passion that you bring. We thank you for sharing the Celebration with your friends and families. We thank you for all that you do for our artists. And, we thank you for giving us the opportunity to do what we love – bringing art lovers and artists together under our big white tents!

We hope to see you soon. Until then, be well.

Susan and Jake

The artists are working on new pieces every day and they love to share what inspires them, so please be sure to stop in for a visit in the weeks ahead. We are open every day 10 am to 6 pm through March 28, 2010. Every day is a celebration under the big white tents. A celebration of art, friends and life! We invite you to join us!

Bruce wants to represent the blinding truth of those “Aha Moments” of true insight as well as the confusion and uncertainty we all experience along our paths. His presence of the circle in his paintings represents the elemental almost primal journeys and lessons that keep coming back around. In observation, no single point on a circle is more important than any other point reminding us that every point on the path is an equally significant part of the journey. Whether we think of it as a good or bad experience, it’s all helping us to our destination.

Expressing this intricacy and depth on canvas involves creating multiple layers of images. Bruce begins each piece with a very vivid and energetic palette knife composition, with thick swirls and streaks of saturated color slashed across the canvas. He then layers coat upon coat of sheer glazes over his base, creating a delicate balance between what is hidden and what is allowed to bleed through. Per Bruce, “This gives it subtext. Just like in life, the most interesting stuff is what’s below the surface. That’s where I want my paintings to resonate”.

2010 represents the sixth year at the Celebration of Fine Art, where he and his Pekingese, Matisse, look forward to another great season with old and new friends. Drop by the Celebration to perhaps experience journey through his paintings.

Thanks to David Jackson, Stephan Stavast and Robin Branham for representing all of the Celebration artists! They brought the energy to life! We are open every day from 10 am to 6 pm through March 28, 2010. Come on in and join the Celebration!

Celebration of Fine Art 2010 Sculpture Garden

The weekend brought continued sunshine and record crowds. Many works of art found new homes! By all accounts, the 2010 Celebration of Fine Art is the best ever on record. We are so thrilled to share this amazing collection of artists with you!

The following week brought some dramatic changes in the weather and ushered in “the storm of the century” in Arizona. In 48 hours we had almost an entire annual rainfall and endured wind gusts of up to 70 mph. On Thursday of last week, our neighboring event, Russo and Steele Collector Car Auction lost two of their exhibit tents in the punishing winds. It was a very long day for all of us. We are grateful to report that we suffered no serious damage to our tents or any of the art work – just a lot of rain and some very high winds. The picture below shows what the courtyard looked like early in the day of our record rains. The two bronzes of the “Puddle Jumpers in Yellow Raincoats” are by Susan Geissler, the other two yellow jackets are Jake and one of our incredible guys who helped keep us high and dry! You also see Kyle Ashley’s T-Rex in the background. You really need to see this sculpture in person!

The Sculpture Garden was a bit of a pond for a day or two!

Well, the sun is back out and the ground is dry. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and the artists are turning out their best work ever. If you haven’t been here yet, we invite you to make your plans to join us for the biggest Celebration ever!

We are open daily 10 am to 6 pm. Come join the fun!

Everyone is beyond excited. Lots of hugs were shared as old friends and new greeted each other as they began their work. The artwork won’t emerge until just before opening on Saturday, but in the meantime the studio build outs are phenomenal. We allow the artists to use their creative minds to determine the best way to display their works of art. Well, we do have some limitations – for instance no two story studios (yes, we have had that request!) The end result is always incredible. Wait until you see this year. It is off the charts.

Stone work by Pete Incardona being placed in the sculpture garden (crane was necessary!).

We did get much of the sculpture garden in place over the weekend and today. All I can say is WOW! This is a place where people will want to spend some time. Lovely paths invite visitors to take a closer look at the beautiful works. You’ll enjoy everything from beautiful representational bronzes to total abstract pieces, whimsical works, wildlife, stone carvings and a few great surprises!

Mark Carroll and Michael Jones 2010

Tomorrow will bring another day filled with activity of building out, painting, flooring and setting lights. A bit more work in the sculpture garden and a few other projects. By the time guests arrive for opening day this place will look awesome.

We are celebrating two decades of bringing art lovers and artists together. Two decades of building collections and connections around the world. Please join us this year and be a part of the Celebration!

Open daily January 16 through March 28, 2010. 10 am to 6 pm. We can’t wait to see you!

David’s welcoming smile and positive attitude is very familiar to anyone who has attended the Celebration of Fine Art. His work has been exhibited with the Celebration of Fine Art since 1994. His list of collectors is long and continually growing!

A native of Ogden, Utah, David’s interest in art began at an early age. He received a Bachelor of Science degree at Weber State University and a Master of Fine Arts degree through Utah State University. After teaching high school art for 27 years, he retired to pursue his passion full time to create his own artwork. He is a strong supporter of numerous wildlife and charitable organizations and for many years has served as a board member for the Eccles Community Art Center in Ogden.

David is always striving for excellence. He loves new challenges and opportunities which provide him with creative resources. His home and studio are located in the beautiful surroundings of Mountain Green, Utah where it is not unusual for him to see a Moose walking by out the window. When he is not painting or sculpting, he is enjoying his family and the great outdoors.

Be sure to stop by his studio at the Celebration of Fine Art and see what’s new for 2010.

We’ll be celebrating the entire season from January 16 through March 28, 2010, everyday from 10 am to 6 pm under the “big white tents” on Scottsdale Rd, just south of the Loop 101. Please click on “The Event” tab above to read more and for travel information. And, enjoy a sneak peek at the art by clicking on the “Meet the Artists” tab.

We look forward to having you join us for the best year ever!! See you soon!

Edward Hopper House on Cape Cod

We also recently had the opportunity to visit Cape Cod and spend a day at the summer home of famed American artist Edward Hopper (1882-1967).  We were the guests of some of our wonderful Celebration collectors who own this simple and serene property nestled on the dunes above the East side of Cape Cod overlooking the ocean.   The signature of this house is it’s 14 x 7  foot window (shown above) that offers awe-inspiring views of the dunes and the Atlantic Ocean that wraps around Cape Cod.  This amazing experience was shared with two of our artists, father and son – Kirk and James Randle.  We were joined by a photographer from American Art Collector.  This story will be feautured in the January 2010 issue of the American Art Collector magazine.  And, new works of art by Kirk Randle and James Randle from this experience will be revealed at the 2010 Celebration of Fine Art.

Again, we are counting the days until we will celebrate 20 years of bringing art lovers and artists together under our big white tent!  See you soon!

Susan and Jake