LOCAL ARTISTS GALLERY
Our new gallery space showcases the finest local talent, offering a diverse collection of artwork from artists across various mediums. At Sun Sapphires, we are passionate about supporting and celebrating our community's creativity. Each piece is available for purchase, with artists receiving their earnings once their work finds a new home. Our gallery is the perfect place to discover and support local artistry. Come visit us to experience the beauty and creativity of our local artists
CURRENT ARTISTS
Linda Anderson
Faces of Nature
I have been crafting masks and shields for over thirty years, out of feathers, fiber, wood, beads, leather, fur and fabric. My artform continues to evolve. I live in the southwestern United States, so many find the Native American spirit alive in my art. “Faces of Nature” describes the theme of most of my work, as I am inspired by Nature’s beauty, power, intensity, and graciousness. All my pieces reflect some aspect of Nature–in color, texture, and form. Some of my materials I purchase, and many I find as I hike or accompany my husband as he fishes the rivers where we live.
Lexi
Silver and Loom
Everything I make is created with diligence and love. I view these pieces as a testament to who I am and a small reflection of who my Creator is. I hope through my work people can see just a glimpse of how thoughtfully they themselves were made and that would spark something in them to get to know their Creator a little more.
Suzie Hammond
SUZART
SUZART came to fruition in 2006, quite unexpectedly, but with focus and a sense of peace. I find abstract art using bright/bold colors along with textures and various mediums an absolute therapeutic way to create and share Joy and Happiness along with opening our imaginations! Beauty IS in the eye of the beholder...and we all have such amazing beauty!
Chris Vicari
Charleaux Design
After working with many mediums over the years, Durango, CO artist Chris Vicari discovered fluid art and fell in love. She uses vibrantly pigmented acrylic paint to create flowing patterns on canvas, then adds elements of digital art. The final piece is printed onto thoughtfully made paper products designed to help you grow a prettier day, because who doesn't like fun and functional art?
Julia Ion
HOWDY STUDIO
Julia Ion is the artist behind Howdy Studio. Originally from Chicago, she has been living in Durango since 2014. While she's been a creative person her whole life, she started developing her presence as an artist in Durango in 2018. Since then, Howdy Studio has become locally known for the colorful, pseudo-realistic depictions of people's favorite things and plants. Julia's work has morphed and expanded throughout her creative career so far, with her most recent focus being on merging her style withe the art of tattooing.
Olivia Trim
Moonbeam Art and Design
Olivia Trim is the artist behind Moonbeam Art and Design. Her love of art began early with the incredible encouragement from her family, who were all deeply immersed in the art world themselves. Olivia grew up right outside of Chicago and moved to Colorado in 2016. She worked as an outdoor educator for several years, which instilled in her a great love and respect for the natural world. When not leading crews of young explorers, you could always find her painting. Even today, her pieces are greatly inspired by the natural world and her travels within it. Olivia believes that nature has the power to transform our sense of self if we allow it. She is continuously inspired by nature’s endless colors, patterns, and textures, which she aims to capture in her paintings. When she’s not behind the easel, you can find her adventuring outside with her dog and best pal, Max.
Reid Trippe
Lithified
Based in Durango, Colorado, Lithified was formed essentially by opportunistic chance, as a silver lining in connection with the global pandemic and social isolation.I had time too experiment with implementing some rudimentary, mostly randomly placed minerals within the resin art, and refined, one of Lithified’s core focuses and purposes. 'To unveil, enhance and coalesce the pre-existing beauty of natural elements native to geosciences.’ This prefaces the how and why of Lithified’s formation; but also provides context for conceptualizing the innate, natural and organic process by which Lithified evolved from. We truly believe in these works of art, in terms of sustainability, artwork value, and being worthwhile of our time and dedicated investment of our lives. This is why we continue crafting them. We hope you find our geo-tabletops as unique and mesmerizing as we do, and are certain that upon purchase, any Lithified artwork will exceed expectations!
Lillian Elizabeth
Beeware Ceramics
Lillian Babcock grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota where she gained an early appreciation of ceramics through her family’s daily use of their Warren Mackenzie stoneware. Babcock became a BFA ceramics major after working with CSULB professor Tony Marsh, who had trained with potter Tatsuzō Shimaoka, designated a Living National Treasure by the Japanese government. Additionally, she completed minor degrees in English Literature and Art History after founding her company Beeware Ceramics in 2013. Babcock currently resides in Durango, CO where she has a studio facing the beautiful Animas Valley. When she’s not making ceramics, Babcock milks cows on the local regenerative ranch, feeds her chickens, forages for mushrooms, looks at rocks, and creates food products for the local community.
Leaf Kizior
KIZIOR ART
Based out of Durango, Colorado, Leaf Kizior of Kizior Art creates whimsical and eco-centered abstract watercolor and oil paintings. Originally from the Chicago area, Leaf began her art career creating highly realistic work before realizing that her true passion lies in primarily non-figurative painting and expression. Inspiration for her work comes from visions, memories and emotions; and her greatest wish is that you find peace, comfort and joy through her work. You can view her online gallery at: www.kiziorart.com. Enjoy!
Sarah K Patterson
Watercolor
Sarah is passionate about all things creative, and over the years that creative energy has been expressed in many ways. Whether through oil painting in her youth or the various crafts she explored over the years, she has sought to deeply immerse herself into each experience — always pursuing excellence. Presently her creativity encompasses two paths, that of an award winning graphic designer and a watermedia artist.
Sarah started painting in watercolor January 2000 and has been fortunate to learn from well-known artists such as Loraine Watry, Susan Hinton, Tom Owens, Lorraine Danzo, Carol Naylor, and Martha Mans. She is an associate member of the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society and teaches a watercolor class as part of the staff care program for a major non-profit organization.
