Morning on the Sound, Rosario Weston, Acrylic on Wood
Artist Statement
I am a new American who came to the United States from Chile at age 10. During the developmental years of my three sons, I was a single mother who solely provided for my family. During this time, I sought business education and worked in large corporations all which allowed me to provide for my family, but, did not allow time to develop my painting or sculpting as my chosen story telling voice until 2020. In the year 2020 for the first time in my life, I was able to devote and make a solid commitment to spending meaningful time to my art. Nature, people doing what comes naturally to them within contemporary culture and how these interact with one another are all important influential subjects to me. My paintings and sculptures are inspired by current events and current mindsets and heart sets in our day to day. Personally, focusing on the universal understanding of community, love, acceptance, kindness and respect is a priority for me.
Artist Biography
Rosario studied Art/Painting/ Sculpture/ Architectural Design at the University of Idaho and later at Wichita State University. At Wichita State University, Rosario participated in various exhibits as well as two solo exhibitions. During this period of time, Rosario was also sponsored by Chile’s Ministry of Tourism to paint mural in Chanaral, Chile.
During the 2020 Global pandemic lock-down Rosario had the next opportunity in her life to focus on painting full time. Since, Rosario has exhibited in the State of Washington, California, Illinois and Colorado. Rosario is happy to reside in Colorado Springs where she paints in her home studio. Rosario is also a passionate art educator and leader and served as the Chair of the Fine arts Department at St. Mary’s High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Rosario is presently back working on her painting.
I Watch Him Dream, Lupita Carrasco, Oil on Canvas
Artist Biography
Lupita Carrasco was born an artist.
At the age of four she was already pouring out dreams and ideas onto paper. Drawing felt like the only thing she had control over. Lupita grew up an only child, raised by her mother who suffered from severe mental illness. During Lupita’s early years she was periodically shuffled between her home in San Diego and family in Michoacan and Watsonville, when her mother’s chaos became unbearable. Art in many forms was a much needed coping mechanism for her tumultuous upbringing.
Lupita’s vibrant Mexican culture and traditional Roman Catholic upbringing command a strong presence in her work. Her paintings are as rich in emotion as they are in color and detail. Lupita’s creative process reflects her lifelong compulsion to investigate and merge the images and themes that surround her and live in her imagination.
Over the years Lupita has continued adapting to life’s growing responsibilities, such as taking over full-time care of her mother at the age of 24 and raising a growing family. The arduous task of caring for a sick parent coupled with raising six children is a daily challenge. Through it all Lupita has remained passionate and dedicated to her art, always seeking out new knowledge from other artists and experimenting with a variety of mediums and techniques to better express her emotions and views on the human experience.
Outside Cimmaron, Laura Weston, Torn Paper
There’s Still Love in There Somewhere, Sophia Rose Chadez, Acrylic on Canvas
Artist Statement
I frequently explore themes of personhood and femininity in my work, delving into emotions
like anxiety and self-doubt, using color theory to either complement or contradict the feeling.
Color has been used for a very long time to influence, guide, and inform. My ultimate goal is to
explore the boundaries of its powerful storytelling capabilities.
Artist Biography
Using vibrant and saturated color to enhance the emotional weight of her work, Sophia Rose
captures every detail of her subject in a semi-photorealistic manner. Born in Hawaii in 1999 and
raised in Colorado by her artist parents, she has had a deep love and reverence for art of all forms
since childhood. Starting to paint seriously in 2020, Sophia has now been a part of numerous
group shows and recently exhibited at Cottonwood Center for the Arts in September 2023 for
their Emerging Artists show. She is currently creating a new body of work for her upcoming
show at Auric gallery in July 2025.
Garden of the Gods with the Mountains in the Distance, Susan Tormoen, Pastel on Board
Glint, Shannon Dunn, Oil on Board
Artist Statement
A Chicago-area native, Shannon Dunn attended Illinois State University where she studied Art and Education. Once a K-12 art teacher, Shannon now focuses her energy full time on creating art. She is a multi-disciplinary artist whose artwork is inspired by the natural world. Shannon strives use her art to cultivate meaningful connections with the Divine, other people and within herself by interpreting the four life elements: Air, Earth, Fire and Water. Her art practice serves as both the interpretive process and product of her life and surroundings. She considers herself a visual storyteller; wherein figures, animals and natural elements become metaphors for the human experience. Ultimately, Shannon’s art highlights the fragile beauty of the world and humanity’s place within it.
Three Sisters, K8E Orr, Mixed Media
Max, Diane Vallejo, Oil on Canvas
Artist Statement
Born to artists Bob & Joyce Parish, my creativity was always encouraged, especially when I found my passion in painting pet & wildlife portraits.
I enjoy expressing the emotion & individual personality of each companion animal I’m honored to paint. In my world dogs & cats are family & my greatest inspiration.
Untitled, Linda Crawford Quinlisk, Watercolor on Paper
