naturally eclectic
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Naturally Eclectic
Show dates: March 3 – April 3, 2023
Artist Reception: March 3, 5-8pm

​Denise Castillo Artist Statement: 
My artwork is inspired by the beauty and wonder of nature, particularly the intricate and mesmerizing forms of crystals. Through my art, I strive to capture the essence of these natural wonders and convey the deep spiritual significance of the seven chakras. In each piece, I aim to create a sense of awe and connection to the natural world, inviting the viewer to see the beauty and harmony that surrounds us every day. 
Denise Castillo comes to Manitou Springs from Phoenix, Arizona. She’s a lifelong explorer of the natural world and the small joys that can be found in every day things.
​Denise Dethlefsen Artist Statement:
Because “some of us just can’t draw,” but wish we could, my photography is often spontaneous, unplanned, and serendipitous. I don't follow the pattern of traditional landscape and nature photographers; my style is more instinctive, with an element of 'let's go and see what happens!'’ 
I’m a (mainly) self-taught photographer from a very artistic family. Much of my early interest in photography was inspired by my grandmother who often had a camera with her. Through a few workshops, a camera club, and some online webinars, I’ve learned many of the basics, but my favorite location spotter, patient chauffeur, and cheerleader is always my husband of 45-plus years. 
Sherry Weaver Artist Statement:
I am inspired by pen and ink as a craft, as an art, because it is truly timeless. It has been around for centuries, and it touches my heart that I help pen and ink continue on. Most of my work is done for cards or small pieces. Using different papers, mostly watercolor and experimenting with handmade paper can be a challenge, however it makes the cards special. It is so rewarding when someone receives one of my cards and it brings them joy and puts a smile on their face. Being able to write messages that are important to them at the time makes it personal. I have incorporated watercolor recently and I’m enjoying what that adds to my pen and ink work.
Tessa the Mess Artist Statement: 
Tess is an adventurer of the unknown, based primarily in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Trained as an engineer, Tess uses their past experiences to create paintings emphasizing the fine line between the "engineered" world and the natural world. Tess spends most of their free time exploring the many faces of the world or bringing it to life in color and line. With goals to take the leap into the world of full-time art by Summer 2023, Tess is currently working on building a more complete portfolio and body of work that emphasizes their vision of the world, one of lines, colors, and vibrations. 
Mathematically speaking, a point is an infinitesimally small blip of space that holds no mass, matter or surface area. A point holds no size. To define a point, one must place another point a measurable distance away and connect the two. This makes a line. The world is a chaotic conglomeration of points, I am simply connecting the dots.
​Susan Odiam Artist Statement: 
Inspired by the beauty of my Manitou Springs hometown, I assemble and collage scavenged remnants of aged, tattered, and discarded ephemera into whimsical reinterpretations of the natural world.