Mirada Fine Art Welcomes James Leonard to The Gallery

Mirada Fine Art is thrilled to introduce our newest artist to the gallery: James Leonard.

James Leonard at Mirada Fine Art

One of the foremost abstract expressionists in the Western United States, James Leonard never touches a brush to canvas. His technique, tools and mediums are wholly his own, as are the stunning paintings that are the result of his creative implementations.

James Leonard at his California studio

Working with a massive palette knife, Leonard pulls, scrapes twists and turns multiple layers of acrylic paint across his canvasses. Bold strokes of color are both intuitively and thoughtfully applied to evoke emotion within his abstract landscapes. The influence of famous painter, Gerhard Richter, is evident in James' work. The story of each painting is relayed through this layering, finished with additional speckled, dropped and fragmented color, that is then scraped off in lines to reveal the history of the work; Leonard refers to this technique as 'sgrafito.' He likens this to a fence post that has observed the passing of time, often repainted, weathering and revealing the colors of each year.

James Leonard's signature technique used in his painting 'One Yellow Poppy'

James Leonard took this technique to a heightened level with his newest work, the 'Transformational Series.' Ecstatic and infused with nature, this new work features astounding relief and swirls of bold color. To sustain the depth of texture, the pieces are created upon archival boards and reminiscent of blown glass, so much so that famed glass blower Dale Chihuly was moved to included Leonard's work in his personal fine art collection. James' paintings can be found throughout the world, including collections at NASA and Yale University.

Definitely come visit us at Mirada Fine Art and check out all of Jame's work in person!

James Leonard at Mirada Fine Art, 'Blue Skies & Sunny Days I',
Acrylic on Canvas, 36" x 36"

James Leonard at Mirada Fine Art, 'First Bloom,'
Acrylic on Canvas, 38" x 38"

The West as Seen by Robert Reynolds

New Mexico based painter Robert Reynolds captures the western landscape through his palette knife. 

Mirada Fine Art presents Robert Reynolds (shown outside his New Mexico Studio)

Immerse yourself in the richly hued textures of a Robert Reynolds landcape, and you will understand why Southwest Art magazine recently named him one of the country's 'Artists to Watch'.

Robert Reynolds at Mirada Fine Art,
 'The Smell of Rain', Oil Paint on Canvas, 48" x 36"

Born in Golden, Colorado, a young Robert spent many years trailing after and attempting to mimic his father, an accomplished watercolorist. His natural leaning to the artistic led him to pursue a bachelor's in Fine Arts at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins. There, a wanderlust was born within him, leading him to exotic and far-flung locales such as Paris, Seoul, Tibet, Nepal, Bangkok, New York, and Tokyo. Alighting India long enough to earn a Masters degree from Visva-Bahrati University. His vast knowledge of global terrain continues to influence his artwork.

Robert Reynolds, 'Reflected Stillness', Oil on Canvas, 48" x 48"

Reynold's extensive travels also instilled a deep-seated respect and love of nature. His vision of the Earth as sacred, closely aligns with his interest in Native American and Spanish culture, making New Mexico the natural choice when it came to settling down. Wide open vistas, ever-changing light and stunning panoramas of natural history continue to inspire Robert. His work, infused with the tactile nature of his surroundings, is created using energetic brush strokes and layers of lush oil paint applied with palette knives. Robert prefers to paint plein air but often completes his paintings in his studio, continuing to instill in each piece a memory of everything he was affected by when putting brush to canvas. While striving to encapsulate every sense of a scene, he remains open to the spontaneity of direction any painting might take. 

Robert Reynolds, 'Through Canyon Country', Oil on Canvas, 48" x 36"

"Painting has become a way to understand and interpret the magic of a landscape", Reynolds explains. "I hope to convey the passion I feel when viewing the totality of a scene. The warmth of the sun, the wind picking up, the energy filling the Earth, the sky, and me." 

Mirada Fine Art Presents EMBRACE exhibition featuring the artists Melanie Warsinske, Danielle Hatherley and Janice Sugg

 

Melanie Warsinske, Danielle Hatherley, & Janice Sugg premiere new work at Mirada Fine Art

EMRACE Exhibition on view at Mirada Fine Art through June 18th

On May 20th, Danielle Hatherley, Janice Sugg & Melanie Warsinske united to present remarkable new work for Mirada Fine Art's 'EMBRACE' Exhibition. While stylistically different and created using a myriad of techniques individual to each of the featured artists, the commonality of the work is the awe inspired by the western landscape. The paintings reflect the embracement of that awe, capturing the beauty of both the vast intimate scenes, as well as the emotion instilled by it, on each canvas. 

EMRACE Exhibition at Mirada Fine Art

Rather than writing in a journal, Melanie Warsinske utilizes brushes and canvas to document her life path, preserving her memories and emotion. Traveling the world as a child with her family she was fascinated by the shapes and textures she encountered in nature. She saw clouds, water, even the human figure as movement and form. When she began painting, she translated those surroundings to emotion, then transforming them into visual representations. 

Melanie Warsinske, 'Soul Surfing',
 Oil and Mixed Media on Canvas, 36" x 36"

Born in Albury, Danielle Hatherley was inspired to capture the beauty of nearby Sydney's spectacular harbor and beaches in artistic forms. While attending university, she met renowned Australian artist, Ted Blackhall, who became her lifelong mentor, and first introduced her to painting en plein air. The experience brought both Danielle and her art to life. She recalls, "I knew from that moment on I couldn't do anything else than paint."

Danielle Hatherley, Blushing Summer, Oil on Canvas, 20" x 20"

Raised in Denver, and forever a Colorado artist at heart, the impressive landscape and expansive horizons surrounding Janice Sugg heavily influence her. The horizon often appears within her work, both metaphorically and physically - a line that initially seems appears distinct disappears only to reappear, shifting, blending, twisting, turning. As Janice organizes space in her compositions, horizontal banding and chromatic impressions built from the landscape emerge. Interweaving textures and unpredictable color palettes blend, resulting in layers that are progressively wiped and refined to reveal imagery. "I have always loved Colorado and consider painting in the West my greatest privilege, as well as a challenge and adventure," states Sugg. "Within each painting I remember the atmosphere, the weather, the people surrounding me and the mood."

Janice Sugg, 'Mountain Mist', Oil on Canvas, 40" x 40"

EMBRACE will be on view at Mirada Fine Art from May 20th to June 18th.

Janice Sugg's paintings being enjoyed by viewers
 at the opening night of the EMBRACE exhibition.

Patrons at Mirada Fine Art's EMBRACE opening reception enjoy the show!

Savoring the artwork of Danielle Hatherley at Mirada Fine Art.

Artist Melanie Warsinske enjoying the opening reception
of her EMBRACE exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Artist Lyudmila Agrich Returns to Mirada for 'Impressionable' Exhibition

Russian-born artist Lyudmila Agrich includes us all in her visual diary.

By Jan Thompson

Artist Lyudmila Agrich returns to Mirada Fine Art for her new 'Impressionable' exhibition.

A childhood spent in the beautiful seaside city of Odessa, Ukraine, has had a lifelong influence on artist Lyudmila Agrich.  Lush and luminous canvases have become her trademark, capturing the very light that entranced her as a child.  Her newest work, to be unveiled at Mirada Fine Art on October 8^th, once again reveals the mastery of her craft.  Entitled “Impressionable: A Visual Journey,” the collection of paintings allows us to join Agrich along this wondrous artistic path.

Lyudmila Agrich at Mirada Fine Art,
Nocturnal Etude, Oil on Canvas, 48" x 30"

The journey Lyudmila Agrich took to arrive at this point in her life has not always been easy.  Many years spent in the Odessa School of Fine Arts as a child and a Bachelors degree in Architecture and Fine Arts helped perfect her instinctual artistic talent.  After practicing Architecture in the Ukraine for a few years, Lyudmila literally won the lottery, the Diversity Visa Lottery (or green card lottery), allowing her and several members of the family to move to the U.S. in 1992.  Her husband was not as fortunate, spending time in a refugee camp before being allowed to join his wife here.  Throughout both success and tribulations, however, art has been a constant in Agrich’s life.  Settling in Denver, she pursued her career in Architecture for a few years. In 2001 Lyudmila decided to replace her drafting board, and devote herself to painting full-time.  For her, painting is not a job, a career, or even a choice.  She cannot fathom not answering the call of Art.

Lyudmila Agrich at Mirada Fine Art, 'Street Tango,'
Oil on Canvas, 24" x 24"

Frustrated by the limitations of a paintbrush, today Agrich’s tool of choice is a palette knife. This allows her to thickly apply lush color, imparting her hallmark impressionist glow.  Pictorial travels through radiant cityscapes, fields of flowers and seaside sunsets are captured with this layered application of color.  The newest collection of work not only evokes Lyudmila’s physical and emotional travels, but also allows viewers to recall their own.  Influenced by the music that always accompanies her while painting, Agrich strives to impart particular emotion onto each canvas.  And while undeniably beautiful, her work is meant to be much more.  “I want my paintings to be more than just pretty,” Agrich states. “The feeling I’m painting is as important as the scene I’m painting.”  She has been hugely successful at capturing that feeling on canvas.  Viewers of her work at Mirada Fine Art regularly exclaim how a particular painting reminds them of not only a location they’ve been to, but also brings them back to that moment, and exactly how they felt then, recalling their own personal journeys.

Lyudmila Agrich, 'Autumn Park,' Oil on Canvas, 36" x 36"

A reception with Lyudmila Agrich will be held on Friday, October 5 from 6-9pm at Mirada Fine Art Gallery.  The exhibit will run from October 6 – November 4.  Located just west of Denver in Indian Hills, quickly and easily accessible from most Denver metro neighborhoods, the gallery is on Parmalee Gulch Road off Hwy 285, five miles west of C-470. 

Lyudmila Agrich, 'Sunny Field,' Oil on Canvas, 36" x 48"

Melanie Warsinske and Joe Boddy: Elemental

‘Elemental’ exhibit offers contemporary visual take on our relationship with our surroundings.

Melanie Warsinske and Joe Boddy join forces for the 'Elemental' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art

A common thread that flows through many pieces of artwork represented at Mirada Fine Art is a presence of the indefinable attributes we love about Colorado.  Artists from throughout the world unite within the award-winning gallery, offering visual interpretations of humanity, nature, and their interaction.

Melanie Warsinske at Mirada Fine Art, 'Beat of the Drums,' Oil on Canvas, 40" x 40"

Two of Mirada’s artists most proficient at capturing that ‘Colorado essence’ come together in an exhibit opening on Friday August 10 with a reception for the artists. ‘Elemental: A Contemporary Interpretation of Nature’ will run through September 2.

Melanie Warsinske enjoys the opening reception of her 'Elemental' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Evergreen artist Melanie Warsinske translates everything around her—rushing water, ethereal clouds, imposing mountaintops, rippling muscles of animals—into a very personal visual diary.  Lush and powerful, her paintings capture emotion and motion onto canvas, evoking visceral reactions in every viewer.  The idiosyncrasies of the environment continuously fascinate Melanie.  Dichotomous sensations of calm and chaos, power and vulnerability, drama and serenity are reflected in the texture, glints of metallic paint and compelling brushstrokes of Ms. Warsinske.

Joe Boddy at Mirada Fine Art, 'Getting a Handle on It,'
Mixed Media, 30" x 12" x 11"

Similarly inspired by the elements of the earth, and our human struggle to co-exist peacefully with nature and each other, sculptor Joe Boddy’s work epitomizes dynamic mixed-media as an art form.  The path that led Joe to art is not atypical for an artist — as a child he struggled to find a way to express himself.  What sets Joe apart is the strong, organic sculpture that he unearthed (sometimes literally) as a result of that journey.  ‘Rejected’ items take on a new life as fine art.  Fired clay, glass, cast iron farm equipment and recycled wood seamlessly combine in his distinctive sculptures.

Artist Joe Boddy at opening reception of 'Elemental' at Mirada Fine Art.

If you were not able to attend the 'Elemental' exhibition, you can still see other remarkable works of art by Melanie Warsinske and Joe Boddy at any time at Mirada Fine Art.

Melanie Warsinske at Mirada Fine Art,
'Chasm,' Oil on Canvas, 48"  36"

Joe Boddy at Mirada Fine Art, 'Slice of Life,'
Mixed Media, 64" x 15" x 15"

Denver Design Showhouse 2018 - Showcasing the art of Mirada Fine Art!

Mirada Fine Art is proud to be the sole provider of fine art to the 2018 Denver Life Designer Showhome benefiting Habitat for Humanity.

Denver Design Showhouse 2018 is filled with contemporary art from Mirada Fine Art. 

The 2018 Designer Showhouse is a collaborative effort between Denver Life Magazine, Caliber Construction, David Paauw Design, 15 different interior designers and Mirada Fine Art!  The organizers hope to raise over $50,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver.

Denver Design Showhouse 2018 -
Mirada Fine Art manager Jan Thompson installs an
amazing diptych by the artist Bruce Marion.

This 5,488-square-foot four-story, five-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath contemporary home is a brand new build in the Washington Park neighborhood. Each interior designer has volunteered countless hours to their individual room—they have each created a unique space that reflects their personal style while ensuring the house as a whole flows seamlessly together.

Denver Design Showhouse 2018 featuring artwork from
Mirada Fine Art (the remarkable painting in this photo is
by the artist Danielle Hatherley).

Open Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  There is a $20 donation per person at the door, with 100 percent of every dollar raised donated to Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver.  The address is 792 S. High St., Denver, CO.

The Denver Design Showhouse is filled with remarkable
contemporary artwork from Mirada Fine Art.

Jean Richardson at Mirada Fine Art

Jean Richardson is now at Mirada Fine Art, and we are absolutely thrilled to have her paintings grace our walls!

Jean Richardson Artwork at Mirada Fine Art in Denver, Colorado

An image of the horse is what artist Jean Richardson believes to be the perfect vehicle to express the true subject of her work—the unbridled motion, energy and indomitable spirit of humans.

Jean Richardson at Mirada Fine Art, Equinoctial, Acrylic on Canvas, 46" x 72"

Born and raised in Oklahoma, an admiration for the strength and beauty of her equine friends was almost inevitable.  Entranced by the mythological aura of the horse throughout history, as well as the real-life beauty of the magnificent animals, Ms. Richardson has always felt they encapsulated the oft restless, sometimes heroic, efforts of their two-legged counterparts.

Jean Richardson at Mirada Fine Art, Felicitations,
Acrylic on Canvas, 60" x 50"

Armed with a Bachelors of Fine Art degree from Wesleyan College, Jean strengthened her technical abilities with the Art Students League in New York.  Having mastered painterly skills, she went on to develop her own distinctive style.  Frequently working in very large formats, loose brushstrokes combine with ridges of palette knife color, bringing to life the simultaneously resolute and passionate spirit of her pieces.  Almost hidden within this kaleidoscopic energy, the expressionist beauty of horses develops, prancing stomping and leaping across her canvasses.

Jean Richardson at Mirada Fine Art, Fantasy Duet,
Acrylic on Canvas, 40" x 60"

Throughout several decades, Jean Richardson’s work has become a mainstay of both public and private collections.  She is frequently featured in museums, design academies and national art publications throughout the United States.  Mirada Fine Art is the only gallery in Colorado to represent her incredible work!

Jean Richardson at Mirada Fine Art, Far Vista Study,
Acrylic on Canvas, 15" x 30"