Multi-media artist Florence Flynn and Photographer Mike Koopsen share the spotlight in the Featured Artist Room at the Jerome Artist’s Cooperative Gallery with a reception for the artists from 5-8 PM during Jerome’s First Saturday Art Walk on Feb. 2.
In her own words, Flynn describes how art has
been a major part of her life since childhood: “Inspiration came in the form of
a father and mother who taught me how to observe and appreciate that which
surrounds us on a farm back in Nebraska. And a grandma who would teach us young
how to draw and blend those old paint by number sets.”
She continues, “Way back in Junior High I was
part of a group that painted sections of a mural/fence that surrounded the John
F. Kennedy Center while it was being built. A trade of a snare drum for a 35mm
camera- opened up whole new avenue in the art realm as well. Highschool
consisted of art classes, arch painting for football and basketball games,
mural painting for proms, and seasonal painting of windows at the local mall. I
continued along my path getting a BFA, Teacher Endorsement and then a Master of
Art Education. Many hats have been on this head all intermingling with the
Arts: being an owner and operator of an art supply store, a photography
business, art instructor for summer art camps in home town, and at the local
art museum, mural painting with my sister, art instructor for elementary,
college and high school over the years and art fairs while raising a family and
working a farm with my late husband.”
Describing more fulling where she gets her
inspiration, she states, “My work is basically connected to what is going on in
my life at the moment: I have gone
through series of work consisting of: Farm life, raising children, family,
swimming pool life/guard days, teaching days, vacation times, dreams,
meditations, energy work and all the other everyday connections that cross our
paths. A lot of time the title, the
story, the composition and the colors are given to me in a dream or meditative
state if not documented in the awakened moments.”
Flynn has participated in Art Shows and Fairs
since the early 1970’s. “I am grateful that I can soak in all the beauty of
this universe and that I am able to share my creations with others. I hope you can enjoy my work on a playful as well
as a healing or a sense of peacefulness or inquiry level.”
Mike Koopsen has
always been passionate about the natural world and the beauty that surrounds
us. It is one of the reasons he moved to Sedona. His desire to capture the
spirit of the moment and preserve it for others to enjoy has never diminished.
Mike began taking photographs more than 25 years ago when he experimented with
black and white film to capture images of favorite horses. Success in that
initial venture sparked a passion for wildlife, landscape, and cultural
photography that resulted in many wonderful journeys across almost every
continent and through almost 70 countries. Some of the most thrilling
adventures have occurred here in the American Southwest.
During these many
journeys, Mike spent time in places where very few people ever venture. It is
in these places where he experiences a deep sense of awe, excitement, and
inspiration which he tries to capture and share for others to enjoy. Seeking
out the awesome beauty of nature brings with it the adventure of exploration
and the wonder of seeing things in a special light. Mike’s award-winning images
have been published in books and magazines, as well as newspapers, and have
been used in many brochures, videos, and web sites.
Mike hopes his
images will inspire others to seek out a richer, more personal connection with
nature, and increase everyone’s awareness of the fragile and precious nature of
our environment and the need to protect it so future generations can enjoy the
wonder he has been blessed to experience.
A reception for
Florence and Mike will take place on Sat, Feb 2 from 5-8pm at the Jerome
Artists’ Cooperative Gallery. Refreshments will be served. The show runs thru
April 3. OPEN DAILY. 10AM – 6 PM. 928-639-4276
info@jeromecoop.com
The Jerome
Artists’ Cooperative Gallery is comprised of 35 local member-artists who work
in a wide variety of media. To become a member, please stop by the gallery at
502 Main Street, or download an application at www.jeromecoop.com
-->
