PxlDan

I spent this last weekend in Pueblo for Fiesta Day at the Colorado State Fair. Last year was the first year I had attended the fiesta and thankfully I was invited to participate in an art show for the event again. The show was organized by Ed and Charlene Simms and participating artists included Jerry Jaramillo, Carlos Fresquez, Evelyn Martinez and Pueblo's Doug Candelaria.

In addition to the parade and a multitude of acts around the fairgrounds we also checked out the Celebracion De Los Charro. The event featured Colorado's Charros de Las Delicias accompanied by Mariachi Vasquez. However, big draw of the event was the horsemanship and rope work of Tomás Garcilazo. The only regrettable part of the weekend was eating fried fair food for every meal - churros, fry bread and a deep fried snickers bar. This was the first time I had tried the snickers (last year i did the twinkie) - not impressed. My father tried the cheesecake - not bad.

I'll post some more photos when I have a chance.

It's been a hectic couple of weeks. Went to Seattle last week for a baptism (I'm a godfather!). Although I am out there frequently it was a nice chance to actually do some touristy things. I swung by the new Olympic Sculpture Park and while Richard Serra's massive steel behemoth 'Wave' was impressive I loved the more contemplative Louise Bourgeois sculpture/fountain titled "Father and Son". I'm told the story behind the work is that there was a  million-dollar bequest to the city of Seattle which stipulated that it be spent for a fountain which featured one or more realistic nude males? Ok, while that may cause some politicians to fret, the money was well spent on this commissioned work. Among the many great sculptures spread through the park there is an orange Alexander Calder piece titled "Eagle" that frames the space needle nicely and Claes Oldenburg's familiar Eraser which overlooks highway 99. I also swung by the Japanese Garden within the Washington Park Arboretum. I was last there in 1994 (wow). The Koi have gotten huge!

Also, last weekend was Frida Kahlo's 100 birthday. Or it would have been her 100th birthday. CHAC held a nice birthday party at which I had some amazing food prepared by Artist & Chef Tony Vecchio. This mans Creativity knows no limits.
(Check out the Photo Journal for pics of Seattle and Santa Frida)

I wondered what my pets do during the day? Turns out not much. Pablocito sleeps on his back, Grom sleeps on the couch, and Pigeon prefers a shoebox. Today was a bit slow so I had a chance to take inventory of the work I'll be showing at the gallery next month. So now everything is framed and ready to go for Sunday and I also finished updating the paintings online (view).

This is a time of year I always look forward to because of the annual Salon d’Arts show at the Denver History Museum. The show, which had replaced an equally exciting review, has historically showcased the finest contemporary realists nationwide. After branching out to include a more non-representational selection last year the event is a no show this year. .. sad : (

But on Saturday we went to the Greek Festival at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Although this was it's 35th year in the Mile High City, it was the first year I've attended. Our friend Joni was working a booth at the event serving flaming cheese! aka. Saganaki. The event is a fund raiser for the church, which is gorgeous. I posted some pictures of the painted dome in the photo gallery. It was nice to sit in the cooled church and take in the smell of incense while viewing the iconography covering the dome. I'll be attending a wedding here next week so I'll have to get some exterior shots. Then on Sunday night we went down to City Park for the weekly Jazz Concert and on the way back to our car I happened to glance up a witness a sparrow about 3 floors overhead drop a turd aimed right at us. I stopped and took a step back as the crap landed at our feet. It was like some serious bullet time event dodging an incoming bird turd...

Shanna brought back some terrific photos from her trip to Hawaii. Along with chocolate, knick knacks and a burn...oh, and memories, fond memories.