Cloudbird

Profiling A Western Design Artist from Washington

Movement. Balance. Rhythm. These three words carry great meaning to art lighting creator Cloudbird.

Gracefully reaching into the 15 years she spent dancing, Cloudbird’s pieces are a beautiful reflection of her dedication to movement, combined with roots anchored firmly in Mother Earth.

Off on an Alaskan adventure when she was 17, she, “found buckets of it.” Falling in love with the raw beauty (and a guy) Cloudbird spent the next 11 years wholly dependent on her own skills to survive in the Alaskan Bush.

Those years of survival taught her to be observant and unafraid to create with the materials and tools at hand. What started out as a necessity when she re-entered civilization became an expression of her life experiences.

Learning to braid leather, do beadwork and work rawhide came quickly to this intrepid outdoor enthusiast who continues to do extensive research on each project, learning new techniques, styles, and the histories of each pattern she beads or paints.

Fascinated by many mediums and taking each one beyond its standard applications, Cloudbird’s pieces offer a timeless feel, full of delicate, yet powerful movement.

Learn more about Cloudbird and her work at www.contemporarywesterndesign.com

Style West

Style West is a new show making its debut this September in Cody, Wyoming. The show will feature fine western fashion, furniture and art.

I was asked by the Buffalo Bill Historical Center to develop a show that will be reminiscent of the early Western Design Conference. Style West will have a retail experience for the buyers who come to Cody for Cody High Style and the Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale.

Style West will open on September 25 at the Cody Auditorium on Beck Avenue in Cody. Beck Avenue is one block from Sheridan Avenue, Cody’s main street, and 3 blocks east of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. A shuttle will run between the BBHC and Style West which will be open from 10 am until 6 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday the week of Rendevous Royale in Cody. Rendevous Royale runs September 24-27. It opens with the Cody High Style Fashion Show on Wednesday, September 24. The fashion show is a “Do Not Miss Event” that is high energy and fun while showing the most extraordinary fashion available in couture western design. The week concludes with the black tie Patron’s Ball at the BBHC.

Style West features artists from across the country. The audience will be able to purchase beautiful custom jewelry, furs, furniture, lighting, leather apparel, custom evening gowns and fine art.

Style West admission is $5 at the door each day.

Special room rates for attendees are available at The Cody, http://www.thecody.com/.

Along with the extraordinary pieces that you will find on the floor of Style West, you will have the opportunity to peruse your favorite design books at Gibbs Smith (www.gibbs-smith.com) who will have a book store adjacent to the exhibition in the Cody Club Room.

Inquiries are always welcome. I look forward to seeing you in Cody for Style West.