Cindy Coleman
Painter/Graphic designer
2020 New Face Productions Scholarship

Having the week to myself, to be alone with my thoughts and ideas and no restrictions and just to be able to CREATE in such a beautiful environment – it was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done
This residency has given me more drive to create. I instantly came home and rearranged my studio to be more inviting.

NEW! Set of 10 note cards, 1 each of 10 designs. These images are the paintings I created from my artist residency at Willowtail Springs Nature Preserve and Education Center. 40% of sales will be donated back to Willowtail Springs for future artist residencies. ? Get Willowtail Post Card here 

Cindy Coleman @duckgirlart. Instagram 6 Jan. 2021., https://www.instagram.com/duckgirlart/

Cindy Coleman Contact Info

https://www.duckgirlart.com/

https://www.instagram.com/duckgirlart/

Rosie Carter
Visual/Mix Media Artist
2020 New Face Productions and Willowtail Scholarship

given a week of open-ended creative time during my artist in residency at Willowtail Springs in November, some very different things burst from my brain/body and it felt so wonderful to let them out that I’m still exhilarated by the entire experience.

The work is more of my investigation into rocks – what they might have to say if given the chance, what I can learn from them with careful attention.  I spent every morning rambling the property, exploring the rock world, thinking about rocks, learning about rocks, and generally just hanging out with rocks.  And then all afternoon and evening in the studio making these quick, charcoal and red ink on newsprint studies of my impressions of the day.

All very different from my typical carefully thought out and executed way of working.  But something that needed to happen – something that was just itching to be expressed. It was fun and cathartic all at once and a wonderful antidote to the cooped up, frightening situation we all find ourselves in.  It felt like a scream and a burst of laughter all at once.

I hope you’ve found a similar way to let some of the strangeness of the times out of your brain/body – a creative outlet or yelling into a pillow or some such catharsis.  We’re all going along dealing so well, but what’s welling up inside us needs an outlet.  I highly recommend hanging out with rocks and some alternative way to express yourself: singing, dancing, writing, scribbling, painting, making things with mud.  It helps.

Rosie Carter Contact Info

https://www.rosiecarter.com/

Elizabeth Kinahan, who has painted the bucolic cattle of southwest Colorado’s high mountain valleys, received 2014 Durango Arts Center Scholarship and spent a week at Willowtail and ignites a passion for painting wildlife.

“The grounds that Peggy and Lee have cultivated make you feel like you’re a million miles away, perfectly suited to getting lost in inspiration and total beauty. Such a place is exactly what an artist needs to incite fresh creativity, a new perspective, and a natural inclination to push work further. All other things fall to the side in the present moment, birds flutter from tree to tree, chime out their melodies. I am reminded of what is truly important in life. During my week at Willowtail I was afforded the time to truly be “in the space” they have created. I was able to observe my own creative process, from the moment of inspiration to the completion of a piece. I allowed myself the “time” to sit and draw from life, which I do not often do. I saw the benefits immediately. I immersed myself in a new world, watched the way it influenced my brush. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, one that I will draw on for years”

Elizabeth agreed after her residency to serve as a board member for Willowtail. As part of her financial contribution as a board member, she donated half the proceeds of her show from works produced at Willowtail back to Willowtail. She has also served in many capacities as board member and volunteer at events and other meetings.

Elizabeth Kinahan Contact info

http://www.elizabethkinahan.com/

[email protected]

https://www.anddurango.com/

Annie Brooks
Visual Artist/Writer
2020 New Face Productions Scholarship

“I was given this residency during a time that I was feeling particularly sure that my work was unimportant, and that my personal projects were even more unimportant. The timing of my stay at Willowtail was uncannily perfect. 

This has been a very grown up year for many of us, but Willowtail has a personality that pairs perfectly with the childlikeness of making things. 

I felt heartily welcomed, not only by Peggy & Lee, but by the warm sunrises, the cattails, and the junipers. There’s a nurturing lightness, a joy and an ease here, and I felt that come through in my work. My hours spent in the studio felt both meaningful and fun. I was stalled out on this project for two years, and when I got here, the energy finally came. I painted three times as much as I expected to and still had the time to wander, to meditate, to read, to play the guitar, to cook, to stretch, to lay in a field at sunset, to stargaze, to take long baths and to drink questionable amounts of tea every day. Time fell away. Vanity fell away. All concern fell away and I was delighted to spend time with my kid self; playing in the woods, drawing pictures, and laughing at ducks. I didn’t have to be an artist. I could just be an Annie that likes to make art.  To be able to spend an entire week like that is something really special.  

Peggy and Lee gave me complete freedom. There was no pressure to do one thing or another, to impress, or to fit a description. Here, there’s only space and freedom. They have created something meaningful on this land that they so soulfully steward, and it was an honor to get to live and play in that for a week.

I’m walking away from this residency feeling like my art is worth making. That is priceless. “

I would suggest, with gusto, to any maker of any kind, to come experience a residency here. Whether you make paintings, potions, money, muffins, kids, choruses, books, bracelets, muscles, or mistakes…come! You’ll be so happy you did. 

Annie Brook Contact info

https://www.thewellsmakery.com/

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/thewellsmakery/