Durango Show Opens This Week + Summer Watercolor Classes

Dude. Where did April go?

I can’t believe we are here and I’m at my next show already. I keep hoping that somehow, miraculously, time-bendingly, life will slow down and I will experience my days in slow-motion - languorous-ly sweet and dreamy sorts of days where I float from one thing to the next and bask in the sun, like a sleepy cat who has all the time in the world. Oh to be a house cat. Or Kai. Boone is not chill enough for that.

And so, I have a show this week, opening on Friday at Diane West Art in Durango, Colorado. It was two years ago this week that we found Kai in the Four Corners area after the show on our way home. We haven’t been back since, and we’ve been joking that we don’t want him to think we are “returning” him, because we’re keeping him FOREVER.

This new show doesn’t have an official theme, although I think there is an undercurrent - a simplicity of spirit, an attempt to get to the point, because there is no time left to waste on what doesn’t bring you joy. Take all the joy you can grab. Or make it. Don’t let it float by without soaking it up.

To inquire about any of these paintings, please contact Diane West Art. They ship and they can photoshop a painting into your space to see if it’s the right fit. If you are in or near Durango this Friday May 8th, please join us for the opening reception from 5-8 pm.

Call or email: diane@dianewestart.com or 970-385-4444

New Cold Wax Works

New Encaustic Works

Summer Watercolor Classes

This summer I’ll be teaching watercolor a few times and I wanted to let you know the dates and how to register. All of my classes are for all types of artists from beginner to experienced - I promise to provide a good time and quality instruction no matter your level.

Swaner Nature Preserve | June 9th | 6-8pm | Park City, UT

I’ll be teaching again a class on the deck of the preserve’s eco center the evening of June 9th from 6-8pm. Bring your own supplies or I will provide. Registration opens May 4th and you can sign up via this link here now. REGISTER HERE.

Summit Community Gardens | August 5th | 6-8pm | Park City, UT

We’ll be back in the garden in August with another watercolor class set amongst the ripening vegetables. Bring your own supplies or I will provide. Registration is not open quite yet, but sign up for the Garden’s newsletter to stay in the loop. MORE HERE.

Yosemite National Park | August 10-14th | Daily 9-1pm | Yosemite, CA

We will be returning to Yosemite National Park in August so I can volunteer with Yosemite Conservancy to teach watercolor classes for the week of August 10th. Each day, I will be teaching the same class to get out into the park and experience the grandeur through the lens of art. Again, no experience is necessary. If you are traveling to Yosemite at any point during the warmer months, there is always an art class going on. Search here for their program schedule and join in. It’s a great way to experience the park and learn something new. Bring your own supplies or rent through the Happy Isles Nature Center. REGISTER HERE

What I’m Into This Week

Funny AF with Kevin Hart

We tore through the first parts of this comedy competition on Netflix. The semis are live tonight, May 4th on Netflix and the finals are tomorrow, May 5th. Apparently, we are all gonna vote live if you’re watching. It has been hysterical.

Beeconomics 101 | Freakonomics Podcast

A fascinating look at the economics of bees. I owe a lot to these little creatures for making my wax, and sometimes I feel bad that I’m exploiting them. It’s a strange thing making art that isn’t vegan. Is it ok? I have no idea.

Rebecca Solnit

I listened to a great interview with Rebecca Solnit in advance of her newest book “The Beginning Comes After the End”, which come to find out is the sequel to her book “Hope in the Dark” and I had not read it. So I listened to Hope in the Dark, so I could do the sequel, and boy did I need that. Yes, shit is rough right now, but also, we live in an amazing time. Don’t take it for granted.