Wyoming Breezes

Staircase at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Cheyenne, WY

Cowgirl Hat Ball  created by Terry Maker 2019 This summer, I went to the University of Wyoming Art Museum to specifically see this piece. I was not prepared for the visual impact it had in the round display area. The piece is made from over 500 straw cowgirl hats.  massive sphere constructed of wood and over  500 cowgirl hats photo to provide perspective as the sphere is about six foot in diameter No doubt it would be appropriate to say, "My hat is off to the artist for creating this fun artwork."

Bond's Brewing Mural in the alley behind Bond's Brewing (Second Street) painted by Dan Toro Laramie, WY September 2022 This colorful mural was painted this summer and is definitely one of my favorites. I love the bright colors and the image.  The mural was painted by Dan Toro. You can read about him and the other mural artists here .  Isn't the blue sky amazing! This is the first summer in years that wildfire smoke hasn't clogged the sky in Wyoming.

Giant Jacks and Ball sculpture  by Christopher Weed Douglas County Library Parker, CO I have fond memories of playing Jacks at recess and lunch during my elementary school years. The giant jacks and ball in front of the Parker Library triggered those memories.  Do you remember playing Jacks?

bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln sculpted by Robert I. Russin I-80 Sherman Summit east of Laramie, WY The bronze bust of Lincoln is 12 feet tall and weighs 4,500 pounds. It originally stood at the highest point on the original Lincoln Highway (America's first transcontinental highway) but was eventually moved to Sherman Summit, the highest point on Interstate 80.  Lincoln bust atop a 30 foot granite pedestal Lincoln Highway markers on display at  Sherman Summit on Interstate 80 east of Laramie, WY

"Monday" by Elizabeth B. Warren  University of Wyoming Art Museum Laramie, WY February 2022 It seems fitting to post "Monday" on a Monday.  Several weeks ago, I visited the UW Art Museum, and this watercolor painting caught my eye. I love everything about it -- the colors, the scene in particular.  I have many memories of wash day when I was young, but sadly no photographs. Most of the clothes on our clothesline were denim jeans, work shirts, sheets, towels, a few dresses and some underwear. Occasionally, coveralls, were also hung to dry.

Exhaling Dissolution (2010) by Sarah Deppe  Laramie, WY This large head (constructed of cottonwood bark, steel rods and wire mesh) is located on the Snowy Range Road on the west side of Laramie. The piece is part of the Snowy Range Rotating Sculpture Program and will be in place for five years.  The sculpture is quite large, sits on an elevated pad, and is well lighted at night.  Honestly, this is not on my list of favorite art in the community, but it makes a statement and is a good landmark. 

Xi’an Mickey Inflatable by Lizabeth Eva Rossof on display University of Wyoming Art Museum February 2022 Pop Warriors have been on display at the University of Wyoming Art Museum since August, and I finally saw them on Friday afternoon. The warriors are constructed from nylon by a company that makes bouncy castles, and are inflated by electric fans. Most of the warriors are over twelve feet tall.  Also on display were Bart (Simpson), Batman, Shrek, and Spiderman.  A brochure at the exhibit said the original Pop Warriors were made in Xi’an of the same clay and earth as other replica souvenirs of the Xi’an warriors.  It was an interesting exhibit, but if I hadn’t read the brochure that explained her concept and the development of the warriors, I doubt I would have spent much time viewing them. 

Pistol Pete mural on Fifth Street between Grand and Garfield Laramie, WY Pistol Pete is one of the mascots for the University of Wyoming. Obviously, the UW on the chaps signifies University of Wyoming. The OSU could be Oklahoma State University, Ohio State University or Oregon State University. Possibly, one of those three is significant to the artist or the owner of the building.  Update: Oklahoma State University are also Cowboys. This cowboy drawing is also associated with their mascot. Thanks for the tip, Sara. 

north exterior wall of Turtle Rock Cafe Ninth Street, Laramie, WY October 2021 photo by Kathleen B. Kathleen spotted one of the newest murals in town and snapped a photo. Since she took the photo, more flowers have been added on the upper left. This mural is very similar to the one in this post .  Thank you, Kathleen for sharing your photo and telling me about this gorgeous mural. These two murals are by far my favorites. 

(click image to enlarge) segment of a mural on the corner of Second and Grand Laramie, WY

unique mailbox Laramie, WY September 2021 Have you seen any unique mailboxes in your community?

interactive art by Thomas Dambo Rendezvous Park Wilson, Wyoming 2021 I have not see this amazing work of art and “borrowed” the photos from social media. The sculpture was made from recycled pallets, and driftwood.  The artist is from Copenhagen and has created wooden trolls around the world. This sculpture is his 80th troll creation and is named, Mama Mimi. Her face and feet were constructed in Dambo's Denmark studio and her hair is made entirely of driftwood roots Dambo and his crew found washed up on the banks of the Snake River. Instantly charmed by the gnarled wood, Dambo said it gives Mimi a bit of an ’80s vibe.   ~ jhnewsguide.com artist, Thomas Dambo and Mama Mimi The sculpture serves as a bridge to a small island and will captive visitors to the park for several years.  A trip to northwestern Wyoming should definitely include a stop at Rendezvous Park to see Mama Mimi in person. Sara sent me a link to the other Trolls that Thomas Dambo has created around th...

Wildflowers  in the alley between Third and Fourth Streets Laramie, WY The newest mural in Laramie is definitely one of my favorites, and just seeing it as I drive down Third  Street makes me smile. It’s an explosion of wildflowers on the back of a medical clinic. note how the doors blend into the mural The side of the building portrays the Wyoming state flower - Indian Paintbrush, as well as the ever present sunflower.  It’s delightful to see such beautiful artwork in the community.

mural on the south side of the NAPA Auto Parts store on south 2nd Street, Laramie, WY The mural on the NAPA Auto Parts Store has both a vintage and a modern look. Auto parts are sold for all makes of vehicles, so the mural is a good representation of the business. 

bamboo mural in the alley between University, Ivinson and  First and Second Streets Laramie, WY Check out the detail on this mural. I love how the metal pipe and the electrical meter are incorporated into the design. 

door painted with the likeness of Butch Cassidy Laramie, WY Laramie is the home of the historic Wyoming Territorial Prison where Butch Cassidy was imprisoned from 1894 to 1896. Cassidy was one of Wyoming's most infamous citizens, and his exploits are woven throughout Wyoming's early history.  The door with Butch Cassidy's likeness can be found in the alley between First and Second Streets at Ivinson and Grand. 

metal sculpture east Laramie, WY May 2021 The metal sculptures are located on the east side of Boulder Drive. Look closely at the bases of the cattle and the horse/rider: these pieces are designed to turn with the wind, which is a unique feature, making this a changing piece of art. The cattle are spread out, giving the scene a realistic look from a distance. 

hand-carved sunflower March 2021 I received a surprise package in my mailbox last week: some Minnesota sunshine in the form of a wooden sunflower, carved by FarGuy (Gene H.) , and painted by both FarGuy and FarSide (Connie H.)  Connie and I have been blog friends for several years. Both Connie and Gene are carvers and create over 100 hand-carved Christmas ornaments for their family and friends every year. Sometimes, she will host a contest with one of the ornaments being the prize.  In 2018, I won a contest Connie hosted on her blog, and my prize was a tiny house she had carved. It's a treasure as is this gorgeous sunflower Gene and she created.   Thank you Gene and Connie for this special gift and for your online friendship.