SAN LUIS VALLEY, COLORADO
This collection of paintings and photographs reflects the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado, a region which remains vast, under-populated and lost in time as far as the wildlife is concerned. Ancient chortles of migrating Sandhill Cranes scatter around us as thousands fly overhead. Wild game and predators continue their habits, unchanged for centuries, except that they are revealed to all of us in photographic images. Each day dissolves into night. The sun gives over the sky to moon and stars. At sundown, there is one final nod of pinkish hues to be remembered on the clouds, and captured in a painting. Art and nature follow a pattern. Two masters observe these rhythms together. Each in their own way, they create in devotion to the wild, as well as the personal.

Paintings by Rita Roberts
Photographs by Andoni Canela

UNCERTAINTY
And so we begin. We set out into the vast, unforgiving territory of a new collaboration between unfamiliar partners. Like spring in the high country, it could go either way. These bison who live at the base of the Southern San Juans know that nothing is guaranteed. Each day could bring the welcoming warmth of sunshine and beauty, or a beating by heavy winds and blowing dirt. So it is with the beginnings of any creative endeavor -- the very nature of a sprouting idea requires a period of uncertainty. Otherwise, there would be no innovation or originality.

THE CALL OF THE CRANES
The sound of the cranes is everywhere. Deep and loud. They are spending the last few days before taking off and flying thousand of kilometers to the south to find their wintering grounds.

OBSTACLES
All creative projects begin with obstacles. At the early stages, success appears unlikely. Sometimes there are financial barriers, or logistical hurdles. Often it is a simple case of time management. Immediately, the roadblocks become as daunting as a face-off with any two-ton brute. Escape seems to be the only safe or reasonable option.
However, obstacles are all artists' noble friends. They make us stronger, expand our experience, balance our brilliance and dare us to overcome them. In this case we are presented with a spring blizzard, a setting sun, and dropping temperatures. We could pack it up and go home, but we choose to make the most of it, just as the buffalo do.

WHITE STATUES
After more than an hour of heavy snowfall, the buffalos look like a sculpture of snow.

TENACITY
Beyond the mile-markers of uncertainty and obstacles, we reach the round-about called "tenacity". A free pass to make a U-turn or veer off in any other direction that looks like an easier route to a quicker end. The best option is to find out for sure what lies ahead. In the absence of any imminent threat greater than boredom or cynicism, we gather all information before we cut out early. Open for anything, we usually receive tremendous luck.

FACING THE STORM
It is really cold at the Zapata Ranch right in front of the Sangre de Christo Mountains. The sun rises and steam comes from the heat of the bisons’ bodies. The warm breath changes to fog in the cold air. All around the snow gives the landscape the touch of winter.

DIFFICULTY
Just in case I expect things to get easy now,
I am forced to think again. Another test must be passed to continue on the artist's journey. I've committed. I'm in and there's no going back...but there's always the option of giving up. Right about now, that can look pretty inviting, because guess what ... creating is hard. Like pioneer ranchers in unmapped lands, we artists weather the storms with faith and tenacity. Corral the herds, accept what is given, and cultivate a gain from every loss. Many old homesteads have been abandoned like so many creations are each day. Perhaps prematurely, before the courageous trailblazers could see its full potential.
Any rancher knows the value of a good, long, afternoon nap. I opt for that rather than packing it up. I hope my refreshed and rested muse will be more forthcoming when I awaken.

LIFE IN THE SEA OF GRASS
A group of elk seem lost in a sea of grass in front of the huge sand dunes. The amazing Great Sand Dunes National Park, situated near the southern end of the Rocky Mountains, has the biggest and highest dunefield in North America.

RESISTANCE
Art cannot be forced anymore than we can coerce the sun to wait for us as we drive to our location. No, art refuses man-handling, but does allow relentless pursuit, courtship. She can be charmed into revealing herself. If we become lax in our attention we miss the show. Those are the days when seasonal winds seem to blow all my words into a swirl. An attempt to sweep them from some dark alcove of my skull only sends them into a new flurry of debris. While I wish for better but do the best I can, Miss Lola, the cat, sniffs my laptop...so much for profound insights. It's one of those days to just allow things to be. A dry well makes us that much more grateful for the rain. When inspiration flows again it will be as beautiful as shafts of light reaching across a darkened landscape.

VISTA TROPICAL
On their way to the south, a group of white pelicans makes a stop at Home Lake in Monte Vista. They give a tropical feel, while the Sangre de Christo Mountains are waiting for the first snow of the season.

SURRENDER
The irony comes after I have gone through all these previous challenges. I've willed myself to stay with it through frustration, blaming unseen forces or loved ones for standing in my way. I've pushed past the obstacles, but still the end appears distant; unattainable. But, I haven't given up. And now it's time to surrender. Yes, it must be done. All the work up until this point may have just been a warm up. I have to be willing to let it all go if it is not the best story for my readers, or my viewers' most moving scene. Looking for light and color means to also allow the darkness, down time. Relax and blow off steam. Look back on the achievements so far and surrender to what comes next... even if it means rotating every moment into memories and starting over as nature does every day.

NIGHT AT THE POND
Thousands of Sandhill Cranes come at dusk to spend the night in this pond where they find a tranquil and peaceful place. The loud call of the cranes creates a magical and mysterious atmosphere.

TRUST
The morning sun peaks over the southern shoulder of Mount Blanca and triggers large groups of cranes to take flight. First, they must free their long, spindly legs from the crust of ice that has formed on the surface of their pond. Likewise, at this stage in the creation of a work of art, I must wriggle out from under a coating of preconceived notions. A little past half way is when the real story emerges or a painting reveals it true purpose. With trust, I stir the creative waters below to release a pristine vision that is hidden among scattered notes, bad ideas, and false starts. A new day dawns along with unique ideas. As with the sunrise, I must be present and awake to see it.

EARLY MORNING WALK
The first light of the morning hits the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the background. In the forests and woodlands of the mountains live a great variety of large-sized wildlife, such as elk, deer, bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorns and mountain lions.

BOUNTY
Every creation comes with a threshold, that moment when the artist can feel the rewards within reach. Believe it or not, this is sometimes the point where a spark of self-sabotage ignites. Even with the end in sight I can find ways to derail my progress. Only courage can keep me anchored through all the rough spots of the creative process.
In the high desert, rain is bounty for crops and wildlife. For we humans, shelter is appreciated as we wait for the sun.

BLURRED
The little light and the quick movement of the cranes makes a fading image of these birds that are always on the move.

TURMOIL
When storms move through in rapid succession, a sense of turmoil can also brew in my imaginative soul. Tumult arises when I least expect it. Clouds roll in over the mountains and that momentary illumination fades quickly. These threatening maelstroms could cause a panic, but I’ve come to know that such episodes are full of truth and beauty. There is nothing like an epic, dark squall to bring me back to humility. Here, I prepare for the next step toward completion.

BLIZZARD
The blizzard blows and the snow passes, flying. In a few minutes the dark coats of the buffalo are covered in white. The primal look of the bison is astonishing. It seems that the time has reversed by thousands of years.

CLARITY
I've sifted through sketches, tossed out first drafts, rearranged lines, words, and restructured paragraphs, compositions, and colors. Without these acts of omission, clarity can never be reached. Works can be smothered by the weight of including too much. Looking for praise prematurely is unproductive as well. The buds on a chico bush need sufficient warmth and watering to flourish. Pushing them out before they are ready would be an act of violence, sure to kill any chance of flower or growth. However, at the end of a clear, warm day, these buds are safe to show their yellow beauty and contrast with the cool shadows of a receding winter. And finally, just short of perfection, this project is finding its springtime; its Easter parade. We've made it through another hard season, waiting for the optimal moment to sprout. It's best to keep it undercover until all risk of a late frost is gone. Our creations, no matter what form they take, deserve to be protected until they can receive a sunny reception.

MEETING AT DUSK
The wind creates little waves in the pond while the cranes move quickly to find the right spot to spend the night.

FLOW
I have a little secret on the subject of creative fluidity. This is pretty weird, I know, but all of these chapters began on notebook paper, written with my left hand, while lying down. I am not left-handed. Lying down was injury related; relief for a misaligned spine. What I experience in that informal position, backward from logic, is flow. The side door of my imagination opens where linear associations take their leave and well-rounded mastery fills the space. So what if my inner psyche can barely spell, is hardly legible? Its output is far more brilliant. I don't take credit for what travels down from mountains of melting connection to a greater inspiration. I only marvel at the beauty, squint in reflecting delight...and say "thank you".

LIGHT AND SHADOWS
Light creates magic shapes in the dunes of the Great Sand Dunes National Park.

EXHIBITION
Opening Nov. 30th at Firedworks Gallery
608 Main St, Alamosa, CO 81101

PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS
Glicée print 11 x 14". 10 Limited edition
Glicée print 18 x 24". 10 Limited edition
Contact the artist for information about original artwork: rita@ritaroberts.com


PHOTOGRAPHS
Glicée print 12 x 16". 10 Limited edition

MORE INFORMATION
www.ritaroberts.com
www.andonicanela.com
www.firedworks.com
THE MAKING OF CHANCE ENCOUTERS