October, 2011

July was full of painting at the Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs. This is
my seventeenth year painting at the Broadmoor. Although I am only there a few
times a year, as I approach the porte cochere at The Broadmoor I am still awestruck by the wonder and beauty of this resort.

The month started off with a quick little project in the New “Pet Boutique”. I actually have my eye on a sweater for Bella’s Christmas present. This was a simple little project that took less that a day. A quote: “Our Purrrfect companions never have fewer than four feet.” Then there were paw prints all over the background with a cute little dog and a cat at either end. The idea for the style of animals came from the Boutique’s logo. Since I keep forgetting to take pics of that I will have to show you later. Meanwhile here is the cheerful logo designed by Julie Jameson Terrafranca of the Broadmoor.

Next there were two covered walkways leading to buildings referred to as
Northeastmoore and Southeastmoore. It was decided that the eight areas to be
painted should coordinate to the designs I had created over ten years ago for
the nearby arches on the exterior of Broadmoor Main. Instead of being painted in the same neutral colors as the original design the new design would be painted with the white of the window and door trim. The color of the area to be painted was a lovely, soft sky blue. Using the same components I designed a seven foot wide stencil, three foot tall at the center. The original design for the arches was two feet by two and a half feet tall.

Then came the areas above two seven foot wide windows at the entrance to  The Boutique, a fabulous, colorful women’s boutique. The exterior wall was
painted an dramatic pumpkin color. My job was to paint floral sprays above each window. When I asked if there was a preference of flowers the response was, “I just want ‘Mickey” flowers’.” That was music to my ears, I love to paint “Mickey Flowers”! It is so much more difficult to paint by the book than it is to paint from the heart.

Mickey Flowers are pretty much like they sound . . . flowers I feel will be appropriate for the area. Lots of white and blue was suggested. Here is what flowed from my bushes. Please excuse the scaffold in the finished shot.

When I returned home after the first day of painting I had an email saying how much they loved my flowers but that now their sign no longer matched. Today I emailed an idea for a new sign, waiting for approval.

Another fun thing I do for the Broadmoor is give tours of my art and demonstrations to their guests. In July I had the pleasure of spending time with
fifteen guests from across the US. They were such a delight and they asked the
best questions. I enjoyed every minute of the time I spent with them. We had a
few that had made a detour when this shot was taken.

Bella’s Insights

Greetings my friends! Mom and I had another adventure before the end of July. We
packed up and drove to Broomfield, Colorado. We took the “scenic route” as mom called it, ending up in Boulder, Colorado. Somehow I doubt that was part of her plan seeing as how we turned around and went back several miles to catch the exit we needed. What was she thinking?!?

We stayed at a really nice lady’s home, her name was Dr. Sabo and she liked me. Her assistant, Jenna, was really nice, too. I met lots of people because I got to go to work with mom every day. I was pretty darn good too. I made sure to let mom know when I had to go do my duty. The only time I barked was if someone came to the door – not sure why mom didn’t like that so much. Humph.

The first day mom painted aspen trees nine feet tall with tall flowing grasses at the base of the trees. The next day mom got to paint more of her favorite things, flowers. The next two days she painted a wall pocket with flowers on the opposite wall. Boy, my vocabulary grows when I go to work with mom.

Then Dr. Sabo had an open-house with good food, a massage therapist and an acupuncturist, jewelry, a silent auction with the proceeds going to charity, and lots of people stopped by, even the Mayor of Broomfield came. I kept an eye on everything and made sure everyone was having a good time. I didn’t bark one time, mom was so proud of me. Mom says painting a mural is a workout for body, mind and soul.

That was my new adventure. Hope you have an adventure
planned.

Hey, you could even tell me about it on mom’s blog.

~ Bella, the adventurer

Custom Mural in the Spa at the Broadmoor Resort

blog-podcast-april-15-2010

For those of you unfamiliar with the Broadmoor Resort it opened in 1918 and to this day is rated a five-star/five diamond resort, very prestigious, one of three hotels in Colorado with this rating. I can’t say enough about this outstanding first-class resort. They offer year-round outdoor activities including fly-fishing, horseback riding, rock climbing, ballooning and more can be arranged through their guest services staff, in addition to fun filled Colorado sightseeing tours. And for entertainment within the hotel they have a live band that plays nearly any kind of music you care to request. The band plays at the Broadmoor Tavern located in Broadmoor Main and has a dance floor for those who want to kick up their heels.

The original artwork which was finished before the hotel opened still can be seen in Broadmoor Main. Another reason this resort is so special is the care taken to preserve their artwork. When asked to create murals for the hotel I wanted to create continuity between the old and the new structures. This floral design is one of over twenty areas I have painted on walls, floors and ceilings at the Broadmoor since 1994.

http://artisticvoyage.com/resort-mural-work.html#images/murals/resorts/nw_broad6a.lg.jpg

This ceiling is on the forth level of the Golf Club House. Painting ceilings are torturous on the body but what a feeling of accomplishment once finished. The inspiration for this design came from the gorgeous drapery fabric hanging at the windows of the Quiet Room where one would go to relax after their soothing massage. Believe me, the Broadmoor massage therapists are very good. This particular room overlooks one of three golf courses with a view of the majestic Rocky Mountains in the background.

One of the fun things about painting is that you can have any flower in any color whether or not nature provides it that way. In addition to any flower painted in any color I often paint what some have referred to as “Mickey flowers” which simply means I kind of make them up as I go. They just seem to slip off of my paint brush and adhere themselves to the surface. Not sure who actually paints them but I’m honored when they decide to work through me.

Roses, Lilacs and "Mickey Flowers"

This may have sounded like an advertisement for the Broadmoor Resort and that’s OK. You truly can have an amazing adventure while spending time their. Don’t forget to check out their extraordinary gift shops. You can find my artwork and cards in five of them as well as on my website. When visiting Colorado I do hope you will stop by the Broadmoor, you won’t be disappointed.

Testimonials:

As the Broadmoor has gone through many updates, renovations and additions over the past decade, Mickey Baxter’s artistic talents have allowed us to apply the kind of thoughtful art detail that existed throughout the original 1918 resort, as part of our newly added facilities. Her work has been superlative and enjoyed, commented on and photographed by so many of our guests. Additionally, she is a joy to work with.

Steve Bartolin,
President and CEO
Broadmoor Hotel
Colorado Springs, CO

I have been associated with Mickey Baxter for the past five years here at the Broadmoor. She has completed art projects for us that include the west tower, west lobby, main hotel guest floors, entry portico ceiling, the hotel bar, pool cabana restaurant and many others. Her creativity, technical expertise and ability to meet fast-paced schedules have made her a valuable asset to all of the projects she has been involved in. Our guests continuously compliment the artwork and our ability to enhance the Broadmoor’s existing collection, while maintaining the high standards set by the original artisans. I have found that Mickey has the ability to match her work to the vernacular of the particular project, from the original 1918 structures to our newly constructed facilities. I highly recommend Mickey as a qualified candidate for any project for which she is being considered.

Terry McHale
Director of Facilities Management
Colorado Springs, CO

Wildflowers in Watercolor

I’ve seen it a thousand times but today it’s different. It is as though I see each delicate snow flake falling gracefully onto the already snow-dusted ground. A foggy haze covers the city views. It looks so pristine, even the deer haven’t sauntered by to leave their tracks in the snow.

Today is different because late last night I finished a commissioned painting. After turning off the fireplace and the lights I retired for the evening with a cup of tea, a glass of water and paper and pen in hand to do some Mind Mapping before drifting off to sleep. If you are interested in knowing more about Mind Mapping check out business writer Daphne Grey-Grant’s website.

What made this morning so special are the feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction we all strive for as well as the anticipation of beginning my next painting. Part of preparing for 2010 was deciding on a painting schedule and actually planning what I would be painting each month. These plans are not written in stone and that’s a good thing because a couple of weeks ago I had a vivid dream of a painting I feel compelled to paint. Upon awakening that morning I did a quick sketch of what had come to me in my dream – even the title was clear. Today I will set that into motion by ordering a custom stretched canvas.  More to come on that. All I will say now is, believe it or not, the subject is not flowers.

However, the watercolor I finished last night is of wildflowers.  Columbines and poppies in a grassy outdoor setting with a bug and my infamous bumble bee partially hidden from site on one of the columbines.

Portion of "Among the Wild Flowers", Columbines & Poppies in watercolor, finished size before framing is 24.5" x 18.5"

This painting was commissioned by a client who has purchased other paintings from me but this was different in that she requested a painting to coordinate to her living room in color and size. My client is a dear friend who loves the out-of-doors and she has beautiful gardens surrounding her home. So considering her surroundings and the colors in her living room Columbines and Poppies seemed appropriate.

Do you have a favorite wildflower? I’m open to ideas for more wildflower paintings.