The Stars of Sturgis

A couple of weeks ago we rode the Harley to Sturgis. For those of you who don't know, Sturgis, SD is home to the largest motorcycle rally in the US...maybe the world. I don't know. The numbers just released by the officials of the rally said there were something around 400,000 motorcycles crossed their counter into the little town of Sturgis between Aug 9th and the 15th. That's alot of people on two wheels. We were actually there the week before the official start of the rally and there were still thousands of bikes in the area who, like us, came early to avoid the congestion of the next week.

Riding the Black Hills was absolutely awesome and we obviously weren't the only ones to think so as there were hundreds if not thousands of other bikers on the road with us. I just can't imagine what it would be like to be there the next week during the official dates of the rally.

If you are a people watcher like me, this was the place to be. I got alot of great photos of the characters who showed up and will be using them to paint from and start another series of paintings called the "Stars of Sturgis". Main Street in Sturgis is the place to see and be seen and there were lots of "characters" who wanted to be seen. My only regret is that I didn't stay longer to take advantage of the opportunity. There is always next year and you can bet I'll be there again.

This painting, a 18x10 oil, the first one of the series and appropriately titled , "Mr. Sturgis" is of a guy who was sitting on a bench on Main Street watching the people walk and ride by. He must've been in his late sixties or early seventies. His beard really was that long and his eye brows were very bushy. I'm surprised he could even see out of them. His arms were heavily tattooed and he looked like he belonged there and would be a great choice to start the series of paintings with.

Have You Slept in a Wigwam Lately?

I just finished one of the most challenging paintings I have ever undertaken. All of the lines of perspective and information necessary to make the painting what it is took a huge amount of effort but I really had fun doing it and am pleased with the way it turned out.

The painting depicts some road weary motorcyclists checking into the iconic Wigwam Motel on historic Rt. 66 in Holbrook, Arizona. It is the second in the series, "Fuel for the Dream". It is a 24 x 36 inch oil painting on stretched canvas and is priced at $2400.

A series of signed and numbered limited edition prints are available. The edition is limited to one hundred prints. They measure 15x20 inches and are $145. The number one print of the edition is being donated to the Black Canyon Car Club to be auction for their charity at their annual car show this weekend.

Simpson Gallery, Studio and Frame Shop hours

Because of the economic slow down I have been essentially running the shop by myself for the last two years with a little part time help as needed from time to time. Keeping regular hours of operation six days a week is getting harder to do.  As the need has arisen to go do errands, I have closed for an hour or two or have been open under limited hours while I've been gone for a day or two. Consequently, our hours and days of operation will be as follows: Simpson Gallery, Studio and Frame Shop is USUALLY open Weekdays and Saturdays, HOWEVER hours may be somewhat irregular so please phone ahead as needed. 249-1098.

The Wigwam Motel

Part of what I get to do in my job (as an artist and writer) is travel around on my Harley, riding the back roads and scenic routes looking for stuff to write about and anything that would make a great painting. On a recent rip over the Memorial Day weekend we had the good fortune to stay at the iconic Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona right on the old Rte 66. It was a real hoot. A fun place to stay after a long piece of road. I'm doing a painting of this as part of my "Fuel for the Dream" series. I'll post it as soon as I'm done with it.

Here we are on the same trip, earlier the previous day, getting ready to ride into the void...a sandstorm in Moument Valley. That was pretty nasty. On occassion the pavement was obscured with blowing sand so bad it was difficult to determine where the road was. Hard on the eyes and lungs too. We would have gotten out of it if we could've and just laid up somewhere but there was no where to go but onward. We finally made it to Cameron where we stayed at the Cameron Trading Post, right on the banks of the Little Colorado Gorge. Although there was no water in the riverbed, the views, especially early and late in the day were absolutely stunning. Last fall we stayed there on the way to an art show and I did a little watercolor of the light in the gorge pictured in an earlier post from last fall.

We are looking forward to our next adventure, seeking out quaint little mom and pop motels, neighborhood cafes and brew pubs, and paintings to make. See ya down the road.

Monday on the Madison

This idea I mentioned back a post or two of doing a series of paintings entitled "Fuel for the Dream" is taking on a life of it's own. It all started withe doing some paintings of a motorcycle related theme but is morphing into something broader, to include the painting above. This is a 24 x 48 framed oil titled "Monday on the Madison". I don't know about you but spending my Monday on the Madison River would be right close to the top on my list of 'druthers. It is a good example of what I'm talking about and if it rings your bell, email me. It is $4600.

Chattin' It Up

This 12x16 framed oil painting  is of Colorado Avenue in Telluride Colorado around Christmas time. The place to see and be seen by young and old alike. Here a guy is chattin' it up with some girls on a corner. A rack of "alternative transportation" with a bit of snow on them in the front. A colorful, light hearted painting for $950.

Rocky Mountain High

 As you may know I ride a motorcycle, a Harley, and really enjoy touring the highways and by-ways. I've been into Canada and up the West coast, not mention numerous, day to 5 day, trips throughout the West, mostly in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Montana, Wyoming and of course Colorado. I ride with a few others including my wife.

 We make a point of taking secondary back roads whenever we can. We see a lot of beautiful country. We make a point of staying in what I'll call colorful, local mom and pop motels. We eat in brew pubs and restaurants that fit the same likeness. We have a really good time. Throughout these trips we encounter other bikers and a lot of people wishing they were riding with us. This got me to thinking. Why not do a series of paintings depicting the scenery, the small towns, the comradery of our motorcycling experience.

Consequently this is a new 24 x 36 oil painting I just finished, titled "Rocky Mountain High" and is for sale at $2800. It is the first in a  series I will be working on for maybe a year or more. This painting shows a guy stopping on his ride to enjoy a view of the Colorado Rockies with aspens in fall color. Off in the distance he sees a bull elk with a couple of his cows.

The series is entitled "Fuel for the Dream". I hope it makes you think about your dream. Don't wait for "Someday". There is no someday on the calander. Do it! If you need fuel for your dream and want to purchase this painting, email me today. It won't last long.