The Art of the Wild
Story by Carly Pappas
The natural world is defined by its untamed spirit – and that’s something humans carry as well. This month, the wild atmosphere of Northwestern Colorado is on display at Pine Moon Fine Art, as the gallery showcases the Yampa Valley’s most noticeable characteristic: wildness.
The gallery's newest all-artist exhibition, “Wild Within,” is open for the month of July.
Rather than assigning a completely new concept, the curators of the exhibit realized that wildness was already woven throughout much of the artwork displayed in the gallery. “The ‘Wild Within’ title is tying together the wildness not just in nature but in us as humans as well and bringing it to life through the featured work,” says Missy Borden, one of the show’s curators. The exhibit brings together varied works all connected by an attentiveness to the natural world and the creative energy that lives beneath its surface.
For the exhibit, Missy created an abstract piece called “Finding Center.” “I am trying to capture the negotiation between structure and spontaneity,” she says. “The piece conveys embracing your inner truth instead of dampening down what you cannot regulate.” The prominent center line signifies balance, with the surrounding shapes representing the complementary forces that exist in humans. “The work connects with the chosen theme because it highlights something internal that we don’t have full control of: our natural emotions and our internal truth,” Missy says.
“Finding Center,” Missy Borden, acrylic on panel.
July also marks the introduction of Suzi Mitchell, who joins Pine Moon as a guest artist for the next six months. Suzi’s pieces are created with a blend of pastels and acrylics; her mix of moody and vibrant colors exhibit Mother Nature and the feelings it ignites. Her work is also influenced by weather, encapsulating a looseness and freedom that also show the wildness of the Vampa Valley. “For me, the theme ‘Wild Within’ relates to anything in nature and being outside,” Suzi says.
Suzi will have eight pieces on display at Pine Moon this month, including, “Finding Joy in Everything” a painting based on the plant Rosa Ragosa. “It’s my favorite, I encounter it all over the world,” Suzi says. “I based the piece on it since it brings me joy wherever it may be.” The piece also showcases Suzi’s favorite weather. “I love stormy skies,” she says. “I like the reaction between what’s on land and what’s in the sky.”
“Finding Joy in Everything,” Suzi Mitchell, acrylic and chalk pastel.