What better way to start the new month than with local art? Take a stroll along Main Avenue for First Thursdays Art Walk. And while you're at it, stop at Sorrel Sky Gallery to see its most recent show, "Doggone Gorgeous."
The gallery is featuring two female artists, Patsy Davis, a sculptor from Mancos, and Peggy Immel, a plein-air artist from Taos, New Mexico.
Shanan Campbell Wells, owner of Sorrel Sky, says the two artists' unique work complements each other well and that the show is a celebration of females.
"The art world is fairly dominated by males," Wells said.
Both artists are accomplished in their own right. Davis' work has been shown all over, including a K-9 sculpture that was installed last year in front of the Durango Police Station, which she gifted to the city.
"It's impressive how she brings out the natural in the bronze. Lots of artists add different chemicals to achieve colors in the patina," Wells said.
Her speciality is four-legged animals, and she has designed My Little Ponies for Hasbro.
Five of Davis' sculptures will be shown, and some of them show dogs interacting with mirrors.
She's bringing a work-in-progress clay piece, as well as some examples to show the bronze process.
"People so often don't have even the vaguest idea of how bronze is made," Davis said.
She says she's excited to show that, and that people are often intrigued by the archaic manufacturing process.
Immel drove to Durango from Taos to drop off a few pieces Monday.
The paintings show the beautiful landscapes of Colorado and New Mexico through Immel's keen eye.
She said she loves working outside in the field.
"The experience of painting on-site really feeds that passion. If I could paint really large pieces outside, I would do it all outside," she said.
An opening for the show will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, it will remain on display through March.