One of the most exciting things for a collector is the chance to watch an artist sit down at an easel with brush in hand or with their clay and begin to paint or sculpt a new work of art. It is an inside look at the artistic process where every nuance and detail the artist adds to a piece can be observed in real time. The opportunity to witness art in the making is seldom, but events such as Broadmoor Art Experience thrive on bringing artists and collectors together for these personal moments.Donna Howell-Sickles at a past Broadmoor Art Experience.

Hosted by Broadmoor Galleries in conjunction with the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Broadmoor Art Experience is now in its fourth year and returning bigger than ever. The show will span four weekends beginning July 10 with 15 to 20 different artists setting up each weekend to create fresh art. Collectors and patrons attending have the chance to walk the Broadmoor grounds, meet the artists, ask questions about the work, inquire about commissions or purchase the pieces in progress (which they will receive after it has been completed).Ezra Tucker, Bronc Busting, acrylic on board, 30 x 20”

Robert Moore, Autumn Friends, oil on canvas, 48 x 30”

Many artists represented by the gallery participate in the event, including Thomas Blackshear II, who has a different approach to the weekend because he is not a plein air painter. Blackshear explains, “Most artists do plein air painting. They go around the property and try to find a spot and paint [what’s in front of them]. I don’t do a lot of plein air, so I usually do my work inside the gallery. What I do is get some reference material—images that I think might look nice—for something I can paint in a few hours.”

Blackshear, who has participated in all four events and this year will participate in the final weekend, July 31 and August 1, collects the reference material throughout the year and puts aside the images that might inspire him. “I already have quite a few images that I can choose from if I want to do something quickly,” he shares. The show is also an opportunity for the artist to experiment with new techniques and ideas. “A lot of times, these types of events are nice because you can be free and try something different, something more stylized than painting from a reference,” he explains. “It’s always good to have that kind of time just to play. Sometimes the thing you play with turns out to be some pretty interesting images. That’s fun when you don’t have the time to experiment when you are trying to get things done for a show.”Thomas Blackshear II, Taking Flight, oil on canvas, 63 x 29”

Thomas Blackshear II sets up inside Broadmoor Galleries to create works of art from reference materials.

Wildlife artist Dustin Van Wechel participated in the Broadmoor Art Experience for the first time in 2020. Being a studio artist like Blackshear, he enjoys the challenge of participating in this type of event because it’s different than what he does in the studio where he is layering the paint and allowing each one to dry before applying more paint. “I’m just starting to think about [what I am going to paint now],” Van Wechel says. “I will likely do a small painting from scratch as well as put the final touches on a larger work.”

Van Wechel, who will be on hand July 24 and 25, looks forward to participating because of “the interaction with people that comes from painting in a public setting,” he explains. “People really seem to enjoy the opportunity of getting a brief peek into how an artist creates.”

Ezra Tucker will paint at the event again July 31 and August 1, when collectors will be able to see him create his gorgeous wildlife works. Many include Rocky Mountain region birds and small mammals that are often overlooked. “These small creatures are very active in keeping nature’s ecosystems healthy and diverse,” he says.From left, artists Doug Hyde, Ezra Tucker and Thomas Blackshear II visit during a past event.

Bill Nebeker works on his sculpture Icon of the North at the 2019 Broadmoor Art Experience.Tucker adds, “The most exciting thing about creating art live during the weekend is meeting people that are familiar or unfamiliar with my art having the opportunity to see and ask questions about my creative procedure. The questions that are asked of me will stretch and challenge me to answer with a comprehensive answer that is easily understood by the inquirer. My intent and attempts to explain with a satisfactory answer can be humorous and entertaining to me and my guest because I usually work alone in my studio and do what I do without having to speak about it.I feel a great sense of accomplishment if I am successful with my explanations.”

Artists participating in the first week of the Broadmoor Art Experience, July 10 and 11, include Nancy Chaboun, Robin Cole, Robert Johnson, Robert Moore (on July 9 and 10) and Darcie Peet. July 17 and 18, the youngest participating artist, 17-year-old Cody Oldham, will be painting, as well Cheryl St. John, Seth Winegar, Sarah Phippen and Kathleen Hudson, among others. Along with Van Wechel, artists such as William Haskell, Kyrstii Melaine, Dave Santillanes, Donna Howell-Sickles and Scott Yeager will exhibit July 24 and 25. Then, the final weekend will also have artists Gerald Balciar, Doug Hyde, James Moor, Bill Nebeker, Kyle Simms and Sandy Scott creating new works. —

Broadmoor Art Experience
Weekends from July 10-August 1, 2021, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• July 10 & 11, First Weekend
• July 17 & 18, Second Weekend
• July 24 & 25, Third Weekend
• July 31 & August 1, Fourth Weekend
Broadmoor Galleries at Broadmoor Hotel, 1 Lake Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 577-5744, www.broadmoorgalleries.com

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