Melanie Warsinske at Mirada Fine Art

Melanie Warsinske at Mirada Fine Art, 'Infinite Depths,' 
Oil/Mixed Media on Canvas, 60" x 48"

Rather than writing in a journal , Melanie Warsinske utilizes brushes and canvas to document her life path, preserving her memories and emotion. Travelling the world as a child with her family, she was fascinated by the shapes and textures she encountered in Nature. She saw clouds, water, mountains, 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 at Mirada Fine Art, 'Majestic Warrior,' Oil/Mixed Media on Canvas, 40" x 40"

Encouraged by her family, Ms. Warsinske pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Texas Tech University.  Immediately thereafter she moved to Colorado, where she remains, continually inspired by its ever-changing majesty.  Work as a technical illustrator, color study artist and graphic designer over several decades honed her technical ability.  Experimentation in different media led to her current recognizable abstract expressionist style. The idiosyncracies of the environment continue to fascinate her—the contrast of motion and calm, power and vulnerability, drama and serenity.  These seeming dichotomies are reflected in her recognizable work.  She feels her strength as an artist lies in her ability to employ light and space, resulting in pure emotion being captured on canvas.

 

Melanie Warsinske at Mirada Fine Art, 'Infinite Series Triptych,'
Oil/Mixed Media on Canvas, 60" x 20" (x3)

 

Collectors throughout the United States connect with these visual diaries.  She has shown her work internationally, most recently at the Los Arcos Gallery in Chacala Mexico, where she worked as Artist in Residence, and the Nagasaki Museum of Art in Nagasaki, Japan.

Melanie Warsinske at Mirada Fine Art, 'The Surge,' Oil/Mixed Media on Canvas, 30" x 48"

Artists Reveal Inspirational Narratives Behind Work in 'story TELLERS'

Jeanne Bessette at Mirada Fine Art, 'All I Need,' Acrylic on Canvas, 30" x 30"

By Jan Thompson

'Tell me facts and I'll learn.  Tell me truth and I'll believe.  But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.'

So states a Native American proverb.  And visual stories are no exception to that ancient wisdom.  Often, artists hesitate to explain the thought process behind their work, preferring to have each viewer draw their own conclusions.  Frequently, art is a spontaneous expression, with no clear outcome when begun.  In a very unique exhibition at Mirada Fine Art, however, the story behind the art and its creators will be on clear display.  Numerous works by many of the gallery’s core artists, including nationally-acclaimed North Carolinian Jeanne Bessette and Mirada’s newest artist, Coloradan Janice Suggs, will be accompanied with explanations on how each piece was born, how it was developed, and why.

Michael McGlaughlin at Mirada Fine Art, Squirrel & Oak, Bronze Sculpture

For instance, sculptor Michael McLaughlin explains that his whimsical ‘Squirrel and Oak’ piece began as an homage to the furry friends surrounding his Connecticut studio and foundry.  Having previously fostered two baby squirrels, which when healthy and strong had been returned to the forest, McLaughlin was inspired to recreate the high-wire acrobatics of the creatures.  Housed in a steel Quonset style building, a hickory tree has spread a beautiful canopy over much of the workshop. While working on the sculpture, a squirrel with a ravenous appetite for nuts lingered in the tree above the studio and unceremoniously rained a seemingly infinite number of shells clanging down upon the steel structure. This inspiration/torture lead Michael to include an oversized nut in his fanciful piece.

Janice Sugg at Mirada Fine Art, 'Yellow Light Through the Water,' Acrylic on Canvas, 16" x 16"

Painter Janice Sugg will explain how her painting ‘Yellow Light Through the Water’ was inspired while living on a farm in Longmont, gazing into shimmering light reflecting from irrigation water on full moon nights, as well as why the horizon is a reoccurring theme in her work.  Throughout Mirada Fine Art Gallery other anecdotal explanations will be highlighted with corresponding artwork during the ‘Storytelling’ exhibition, which will run October 15 – November 6, 2016.  An opening reception will be held on Friday, October 14^th from 6-9pm. 

William Barnhart at Mirada Fine Art, 'The Point of Relaxation,' Oil on Canvas, 48" x 48"

Larisa Aukon and Lyudmila Agrich: Cityscapes Exhibition at Mirada Fine Art

Lyudmila Agrich's 'Summer Night in Paris' and Larisa Aukon's 'Moondust' paintings at Mirada.

Lyudmila Agrich and Larisa Aukon are both Eastern European transplants, now residing in the western United States.  Frequently featured in national art publications, their talent has brought them tremendous attention and success. They both also happen to be wildly popular artists shown at Mirada Fine Art Gallery.  These creative powerhouses will come together at the gallery in one magnificent exhibit, entitled ‘citySCAPES,’ opening on August 26^th.

Larisa Aukon at Mirada Fine Art, 'Lucid Dream,' Oil on Linen, 30" x 40"

Combined with incredible inherent skill and classical training, both artists have become masters at capturing the underlying glow and emotion of the urban landscape. Born in Russia, Lyudmila Agrich’s family settled in the port city of Odessa in southwest Ukraine, stunningly located by the Black Sea. Years spent in music and fine arts schools as a child led to a college degree in Architecture and Fine Arts.  After her move to the U.S. (she now resides in Denver) she pursued her Architectural career, but replaced her drafting board with canvasses in 2001 when she took up painting full time. Lush swipes of oil paint with a palette knife create textural ‘visual diaries’ for Lyudmila, whose glowing work bursts with the rhythm, energy and emotion of urban scenes. Quaint European towns and bustling metropolitan areas come to life, capturing intimate moments in ordinary life.

 

Lyudmila Agrich at Mirada Fine Art, 'Montmartre Cafe,' Oil on Canvas, 30" x 40"

A child prodigy, Latvian-born Larisa Aukon can’t remember a time she wasn’t communicating via a paintbrush. When she arrived in the American Southwest her breath was quite literally taken away by the explosion of color, dramatically affecting her work and lifting her spirit and talent to an even higher level. Vivid depictions of narrow winding streets, terra cotta rooftops, majestic cathedrals and cozy homesteads leap from Larissa’s radiant work.  Masterfully-mixed and layered palettes create depth and brilliance, evoking a visceral reaction from each viewer of her lush pieces.  Bold strokes of color, balanced composition and changing hues are hallmarks of her critically acclaimed work.

This remarkable exhibition at Mirada Fine Art runs from August 26th through September 18th.

WILD Exhibition at Mirada Fine Art

Untamed and Unpredictable—Mirada Showcases ‘Wild’ side of Colorado

Opening night of 'WILD' at Mirada Fine Art on June 17, 2016

"If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit."

-Chief Seattle of the Suwamish Tribe, in a letter to President Franklin Pierce 

Copper Tritscheller, 'Curious Conversation,' Bronze Sculpture

Despite periodic efforts to contain it, the wild side of Colorado always resurfaces. To celebrate our adventurous cohabitation with an amazing array of furry and feathered friends and the sometimes primitive surroundings, Mirada Fine Art will host a group retrospective entitled ‘WILD.’ Converging on the gallery from near and far, several of Mirada’s perennial favorite artists, combined with a number of artists new to the gallery, will offer their interpretation of WILD and all that entails that helps make our state utterly unique.

Admiring Bruce Marion's 'Tatonka-Americana' at Mirada Fine Art's 'WILD' exhibition.

"This isn't about simply mirroring the wildlife we're so privileged to live among," explains gallery owner Steve Sonnen.  "We've deliberately brought together an unexpected mixture of artists to reflect the free-form nature of the artists themselves."  The majesty of the area will be recognized and reinvented by this eclectic and talented group of Mirada artists for an exhibit running from June 18 – July 10, 2016.

Artist Greg Dye discusses his artwork during the opening of 'WILD' at Mirada Fine Art.

Two of Mirada’s most popular artists anchor the show. Bruce Marion begins each of his pieces with a frenetic and abstract under painting. Like a sculptor chipping away, Bruce then subtracts information until a lush scene appears. Known for his luminous landscapes, Marion most recently has turned his brush to creating powerful impressionist wildlife.  Renowned equine artist Laurie Justus Pace will lend her passionate style, offering new work alive with graceful movement and power.  She describes her process akin to pareidolia, the term used to describe the phenomena of seeing animals in clouds or faces in the moon.

Mary Hartman's beautiful 'Morning Turnout' at the opening reception of Mirada Fine Art's 'WILD' exhibition.

Newcomers to the gallery, Daniel McClendon, Copper Tritscheller, Mary Hartman, Jessi West Lundeen and Greg Dye bring their own free-spirited take on the West. Animals are always the central figure in a Daniel McClendon painting. From a free form and chaotic beginning black and white under-painting, strong color and pattern take over and the animal appears, taking on the role of a totem—a spirit being to help us guide on our life journey. Sculptor Copper Tritscheller’s favorite subjects are the ‘misunderstood creatures,’ particularly bats and burros. Her bronzes push the boundaries between animal and human; hard-working and loyal burros teeter precariously on pedestals and bats, crucial to so many eco-systems, sport oversized wings suggestive of comic book heroes.

The artwork of Greg Dye, Jessi West Lundeen, and Mark Yale Harris at Mirada's 'WILD' exhibition.

Denver-based artist ,Greg Dye, creates wildly vibrant wildlife paintings and landscapes that don’t attempt to capture a realistic stagnant moment, but rather the inherent motion and spiritual energy of his subjects. Another Colorado artist, Jessi West Lundeen developed an abstracted style to capture the essence of the magnificence of her surroundings. Her latest body of work uses saturated color and bold lines to dissect the dichotomy between nature and humanity, often blending the two into an integrated piece. 

Artist Jessi West Lundeen discusses her artwork at Mirada Fine Art's 'WILD' exhibition.

Together, these talented artists should provide us all with an unexpected and spectacular journey exploring our wild life, leading to an even deeper appreciation of all the wildness nature has to offer.

Mirada Fine Art's 'WILD' exhibition runs from June 18th - July 10th.

Al Glann Contemporary Horse Sculptures at Mirada Fine Art

Al Glann at Mirada Fine Art, 'The Cutter,' Limited Edition Bronze, 12" x 23" x 14"

Mirada Fine Art is absolutely thrilled to represent the remarkable contemporary sculptor, Al Glann!  Intrigued by horses from a young age, Al longed for one of his own.  Raised on the family farm in Toledo, Ohio, the connection was a part of the fabric of his life, and Americans in general at the time, immersed in the TV world of ‘Bonanza’ and ‘Rawhide.’  The dream of a horse never came to fruition, so Al decided on the next best thing—creating his own.  His first sculptural attempts were fanciful creations meant solely for his own entertainment.

Al Glann at Mirada Fine Art, 'Blue Ridge,' Limited Edition Bronze, 17" x 17" x 9"

As a young adult he pursued his artistic interest and talent.  He began his formal training, receiving a BFA in Graphic Design and Illustration from the Columbus College of Art & Design.  He went on to a successful career as a commercial designer and illustrator.  His passion, however, continued to lie in the creation of dimensional constructs, painting, and wire, wood and metal sculpture.  This led him to a teaching position as an Associate Professor at his alma mater, teaching 3-D design and illustration.

Al Glann's amazing life-size sculpture 'Red Stallion' in front of Mirada Fine Art during a snow storm.

After moving to Arizona, Al furthered his formal training, earning a Masters of Education at Northern Arizona University.  While teaching graphic design at the Art Institute of Phoenix he also forged a career as a sculptor in steel and bronze.  His continued fascination with the equine form led to the beginning of his ‘Horse Series’ of sculpture in 2008. In 2009, after earning the ‘Instructor of the Year’ award, he devoted himself full time to his sculpture and painting.

Al Glann at Mirada Fine Art, 'The Classic,' Limited Edition Bronze, 17" x 22" x 7"

“I love to create horses in action, a gestural 3-dimensional drawing with metal,” Glann explains. “I exaggerate the line, weight and movement, using negative space to define form and character.” He strives to capture the personality of horses and other forms rather than a realistic representation.

Come by Mirada Fine Art to check out Al's remarkable sculptures in person!

Al Glann at Mirada Fine Art, 'On Fire,' Limited Edition Bronze, 15" x 20" x 6"

Introducing Jessi West Lundeen

We're thrilled to welcome Jessi West Lundeen and her remarkable contemporary artwork to Mirada Fine Art!

Jessi West Lundeen, represented by Mirada Fine Art in Colorado.

Born and raised in Jackson, Wyoming, Jessi West Lundeen grew up with Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park as her backyard.  Surrounded by stunning scenery, she found herself compelled to capture that beauty artistically.  Initially self-taught, she developed a distinct style of abstracted landscapes and figurative painting.

Jessi West Lundeen at Mirada Fine Art, 'Daydreamer,'
Acrylic on Canvas, 24" x 70"

Knowing that she wanted to continue to express herself creatively, Jessi decided to pursue a formal education in Fine Art. A Bachelors of Art in Studio Art/Painting and a Masters in Art Education not only honed her considerable skills, but served to reinforce her desire to capture not only the splendor in the world, but the thought and emotion it invokes in her.

Jessi West Lundeen at Mirada Fine Art, 'Night Dreams,'
Acrylic on Canvas, 24" x 18"

“My work is a collection of ideas and images that have followed me throughout life, growing as I do. Place and space are my building blocks; I like to talk about environments through my work, starting a dialogue about human experience.”

Jessi West Lundeen at Mirada Fine Art, 'Try it on for Size,'
Acrylic on Canvas, 20" x 15"

Ms. Lundeen uses saturated color and strong lines as bridges between vision and emotion.  She also employs these tools to create a visual space for viewers to rest and consider how a piece speaks to them individually.

Jessi West Lundeen at Mirada Fine Art, 'Twisted River,'
Acrylic on Canvas, 18" x 24"

Jessi’s latest body of work focuses on the dichotomy between landscape and cityscape, nature and humanity.  She strives to take on ideas of growth and power, counterbalanced by the natural history illustrated as a background story.

Jessi West Lundeen at Mirada Fine Art, 'Light as a Feather,'
Acrylic on Canvas, 18" x 48"

Jessi West Lundeen’s work has been displayed in galleries from Jackson Hole to New York City, and is found in private collections throughout the country.  We are thrilled to introduce her to our Colorado clients!  Welcome Jessi!

Mirada Voted Best Art Gallery in Denver!

Mirada Fine Art was voted 'Denver's Best Art Gallery' by the Denver A-List.

Adding to a lengthy list of accolades, Mirada Fine Art was recently named the best art gallery in the Denver metro area, topping the CityVoter Denver A-List.  The gallery, which was referred to as ‘a hidden gem’ when it opened in 2010, apparently is no longer a very well-kept secret. The A-List captured the opinions of a very large sample size, garnering over 74,000 total online votes for local businesses, with over 100 galleries represented.

Admirers of the gallery point to its picturesque location just southwest of the city, character-rich historic log building, impressive collection of nationally-acclaimed artists, and most of all the stunning artwork itself, as some of the reasons they’re such devoted supporters. No newcomer to this type of recognition, Mirada has been named one of the top 25 galleries in the country by the American Art Awards for 2013, 2014 and 2015.  Mirada has been featured in numerous national publications in addition to local ‘Best of’ lists.

“We’re not in a ‘typical’ Denver location for fine art, and purposely so,” gallery owner Steve Sonnen explains. “We didn’t want a sterile, white wall gallery.”  An eclectic array of award-winning contemporary artists, most of whom show only at Mirada in the state, were handpicked by Sonnen.  He particularly likes how the gallery’s rustic setting showcases the contemporary art and demonstrates how art will work in any setting. “We feel so fortunate…people found us, fell in love with the art, and keep coming back,” Steve enthuses.

Opening night of one of Mirada Fine Art's many amazing exhibitions.

Ken Elliott at Mirada Fine Art: Opening Reception of 'COLOR'

Ken Elliott's 'COLOR' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art

On Friday night, May 6th, we had a packed house at Mirada Fine art for the opening reception of Ken Elliott's remarkable exhibition 'COLOR.'  Here are some photos from that wonderful evening as Ken unveiled his vibrant contemporary landscapes.

Savoring Ken Elliott's beautiful 'Saccades II' at the his 'COLOR' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Ken Elliott at Mirada Fine Art.

Opening reception of Ken Elliott's 'COLOR' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Mirada Fine Art patrons enjoy the stunning landscapes of Ken Elliott's 'COLOR' exhibition.

The opening reception of Ken Elliott's 'COLOR' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Ken Elliott discusses his artwork at the opening of his 'COLOR' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

The opening reception of Ken Elliott's 'COLOR' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Mirada Fine Art unveils the remarkable artwork of Ken Elliott at his 'COLOR' exhibition.

Ken Elliott chats with an admirer of his artwork at the opening of his 'COLOR' exhibition.

Enjoying the opening reception of Ken Elliott's 'COLOR' exhibition at Mirada.

Ken Elliott at Mirada Fine Art.

Russell Whiting at Mirada Fine Art: Snow Angel

Russell Whiting's spectacular steel sculpture 'Walking Angel' always looks amazing...but check it out in the snow in front of the gallery today...amazing!  This sculpture measures 74" x 50" x 30".  Come by Mirada Fine Art to check it out in person!

Ken Elliott at Mirada Fine Art: COLOR

New exhibit showcases artist Ken Elliott's mastery of the use of color.
by Jan Thompson

Ken Elliott at Mirada Fine Art, Through the Forest, Oil on Canvas, 36 x 60"

‘Nature is where all the inspiration and colors for a lifetime are always waiting.’ This is the conclusion talented painter Ken Elliott has come to after over forty years in the art business. Four decades spent observing technique, and establishing a wealth of understanding on the use of light, lines and color, led Elliott to develop his own compelling style.

Ken Elliott at Mirada Fine Art, Haze in the Distance II, Oil on Canvas, 40" x 40"

Altering, perfecting and abstracting his perception of nature, rich bold color and vibrant shapes emanate from Ken Elliott’s canvasses. The fascination with the endless palette provided by nature inspired his latest collection of work, ‘Color,’ an exhibition opening at Mirada Fine Art on Friday, May 6.  Rendered in vividly modern hues, his landscapes simultaneously convey powerful movement and deep serenity.  ‘I don’t try to recreate nature (even Monet said he never got that right).  Instead, my work is a simplification and exaggeration of elements found within a landscape,’ Ken tells us.

Ken Elliott at Mirada Fine Art, Forest in Greens & Mauves, Oil on Canvas, 40" x 40"

Painting is not a linear process for this artist.  He usually works on several pieces at a time. Elements of one piece spur experimentation in another.  Jumping between work with oil paints and pastels allows differing emphasis on line structure, color depth and illumination.  And decades of experience have taught Ken to not discount the potential of a ‘mistake.’  Just as in nature, Elliott has discovered that an imperfection can often be the most visually interesting component.

Ken Elliott at Mirada Fine Art, Meadow Cascade, Oil on Canvas, 36" x 60"

The artist’s work stands independent of any specific place or time. They are a combination of the glory Ken Elliott sees in the world around him, and his own vivid imagination.  Grounded in unifying illumination, each piece somehow portrays both a kinetic energy and inherent calm.

Ken Elliott at Mirada Fine Art, Through the Purple Woods, Oil on Canvas, 24" x 24"