March 11, 2010

Spring is in the air!
I can't believe it is already March of this promising year of the tiger! I am excited to tell you all that I am just now entering my third trimester and am expecting my first baby this June. My husband and I couldn't be more thrilled about becoming parents. Please take the time to read my blog about "My little pearl..." which describes about how visualization and positive energy helped to bring this little baby into existence for us.

My new "elements" series
I'm excited to announce my new series entitled "elements." Since I've been pregnant and indoors a lot more, I've been working on this new body of work that explores my love for the desert in a whole new way. The images are based on imagination and dreamscapes. Yes, I really have been dreaming about them! These new works are highly textured, and have a free and loose quality about them. I have been using metallic paints which make the images shimmer in the light and the colors shift as you view the piece from different angles. I hope you will read my latest blog about them. Look for these pieces as part of the Art Walk at Canyon Ranch Spa at Las Vegas's Venetian Hotel later this spring.

Exhibitions and Opportunities
This year I had the honor of being the feature artist at Northwest Yoga Studio for January and February. We held a Yoga & Art night on two Saturday evenings where people could come and enjoy the artwork and also take in a complimentary yoga class or chair massage. It makes for a lovely evening and I encourage anyone local to sign up for the Art & Yoga Meetup Group so you will know when the next event is.

My next public exhibition will be held at the Mount Charleston Lodge. I will be set up in the lobby along with another artist from the Clark County Artist Guild on the weekend of April 24 & 25 from 10am until 5pm. Mount Charleston offers a scenic high-altitude get-away for Las Vegas visitors and locals.

My Red Rock Canyon greeting cards are still being carried by the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center and selling well. The Visitor Center is currently being remodeled and expanded and is coming along nicely. I encourage you to stop by for a look. I have also started selling my cards at Desert Rock Sports, a great place for outdoor gear or guide services.

My Art Watches are going to be discontinued soon, but I do have a few still left in stock. If you haven't gotten one yet, check them out, I have them discounted to only $20 each.

Events and charitable contributions
2010 has been a year for giving. In appreciation for all the good fortune that has come my way, I have amped up my contributions allowance this year. As always I donate to environmental causes, and have already made a cash donation to the National Parks Foundation.

I donated artwork, cards and a watch to the KNPR online auction. This was my second year participating in this event and I plan to keep on doing it in the years to come.

I donated artwork to a special art auction hosted by Circus Couture at the Palms Resort last month which featured performers from some of Vegas's top Cirque du Soleil productions. All proceeds went to The Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases of Las Vegas.

I am looking forward to participating in an art auction this April, which will be held at the Villa Reale shop in Caesar Palace's Forum Shops. Proceeds from this event will benefit Bridge Counseling Associates which has served the Las Vegas community with family based mental health and substance abuse treatment for over thirty years.

My contributions are based on sales, so the more I sell, the more I can contribute. I am hoping to make this my most charitable year yet!

More New Works ...
Since my last newsletter I've created a few more pieces of artwork besides my "elements" series. Underwater creatures continue to fascinate me, as well as canyons and botanicals.

Connections
Staying connected just seems to get easier and easier. Please take the time to connect with me on Twitter and Facebook. Two great and fun ways to check in on what I'm up to at any given moment.

As always, thank you all for allowing me to share my journey with you.

Bonnie Kelso

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