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Today, at almost 21, he has a family with Rosie and Baby Jade.
So when I heard his voice the day after the fire started...I knew it wasn't good. But I asked anyway. "Is Rosie's house ok?" "Nope," he said bluntly. "It's gone." "The Ranch?" I asked. He just got real quiet. "Alot of it is gone."
Somehow they managed to get over 30 horses down off the mountain to safety that day. Rosie's dad, Mike, never left the property during the entire firefight. Through his efforts the Lodge and other buildings that would have been lost are still standing. And even though their home is gone, Mike and Lynn Walker's main concern is to rebuild the Ranch so the kids can come again next summer. Not five years from now. Next summer!
That's where Art comes in. The week after the fire Rosie asked me if I wanted some horseshoes. TJ had told her I liked old, rusty stuff. I have NO idea where he got that notion. Rosie said they had horseshoes "and other stuff." She also explained that if I didn't take some of these things from the rubble, bulldozers would haul them away. The next day she and TJ unloaded a Suburban full of wagon wheels and saddle parts in our driveway and a few days later they took Logan up to The Ranch and he came home with another truck full. We stood looking at the piles and we immediately knew what needed to be done. We would make art from the remnants of the worst fire in Colorado's history and we would benefit the Colorado Mountain Ranch with the sales. From my Ranch to their Ranch. Made perfect sense.
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And this piece, one of my favorites, has become the Signature Piece for the Ranch to Ranch Art Show and Benefit. I made it from items that had been in the barn. Curry combs (horse combs), hinges from the doors and buckles from harnesses all housed in a beautiful frame that Logan made. It's called The Garden. Things in a garden "go to ground" as they say in the south and then they grow again. Parts of Colorado Mountain Ranch have gone to ground...but they will grow again, as well.
So tomorrow night, November 4th, 2010, Logan and I will welcome the Walker Family and a hundred or so of our closest friends into our gallery for the Opening Reception of this benefit show that will run until December 4th. Some of the artwork is available on line. A great way for folks who can't make the show to own a piece of the work and contribute to the rebuilding.
All of us who have worked on art for this show have been honored to hold pieces of this wonderful place in our hands and breathe new life into them. The iron and rust have survived the flames, but so has the spirit of this community and the Walker family, along with everyone who loves this Ranch. It will come back to life. Kids will stand on the wagon and have their pictures taken. Horses will be saddled up on a cool, mountain morning...and laughter will echo off the mountains again.
Fireproof hearts...fireproof dreams.
Ranch to Ranch Benefit
KC Willis Studio and Gallery
321 Main Street
Longmont, CO
303-834-9419
November 4th-December 4th, 2010
Opening Reception, Thursday, November 4th... 6-9 p.m.
Open Gallery Night, November 11, 2010 6-9
Closing Reception, December 4th, 6-9
To donate directly to the Colorado Mountain Ranch visit www.coloradomountainranch.com
7 comments:
What an awesome idea to give a new beginning to the Colorado Mountain Ranch. I am a CO native (Durango) and I know how sad I was to see how fires had destroyed many acres and memories around Durango, Silverton, Bayfield, Vallecito Lake area...all places my childhood memories came from. I gave my husband a tour of those places recently when we were there on our honeymoon. I'll take a look in the gallery for something for myself & will help spread the word. I'm also sending lots of positive energy & will pray for good things to rise up out of the ashes. Great post, K.c.!
KC this story really touched me and I wish you every success with your sale. I'm sure the ranch will rise again like a Phoenix out of the ashes and along with it create a special bond with all these amazing people.
Hugs, Angela.
I'm so very sorry to hear of such great losses due to the fire. It is a wonderful thing you and other Artists are doing to bring something beautiful and positive ... resurrected out of the ashes! When we are able to focus on what is left rather than what is lost, God can do amazing things... since He always uses what we still have. I pray you have the most amazing success with this Sale of your awesome Art!!!
Dawn... The Bohemian
Excellent blog posting and beautiful artwork created from the ashes. I especially love the girly horseshoe wall hanging. I am soooo looking forward to taking the February classes with you in Mesa, AZ, and again in June in your studio. You are an inspiring woman.
Great idea, great work, great cause. I am glad everyone else is safe. This just goes to show that dreams really can be rebuilt. xo
Dear KC - from God's heart to your heart, from your heart to theirs, love is beautiful.
Dixie
KC,
This is one of the most touching posts I have read in a very long time. I kept picturing days of old when communities gathered around their own to support and help them. I love this "barn rais'in" spirit. I pray much success from the benefit and somehow I suspect that there will be a summer camp this year. I adore the new art piece with the curry combs so different from your other work but wholly recognizable as having been made by your hands.
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