2027 Calendar Artist Info
January
Wira Babiak
Purchasing info: If you are interested in Wira’s artwork you can reach out directly at babiak@colorado.edu
In Wira’s words: I began making art from the age of 14. I work with many mediums such as watercolors, acrylics, oils, graphite digital photography, the painting and designing of Ukrainian Easter eggs to name a few. I make art because it makes me think about imagination and I enjoy seeing how that imagination turns out whether it be on paper, wood, plastic, whatever the surface may be, good or bad. Even though I have formal art instruction, I’m always learning and attending workshops and classes. I particularly enjoy painting and photographing open spaces of land such as the plains and prairies. This is my documentation for many of the landscapes that are disappearing to housing developments and industrialization. I especially enjoy plein air painting with oils and being one with nature be it an hour or more several times a month. I have been a member of the Longmont Artists’ Guild for over 10 years.
February
Marie-Dominique Verdier
Purchasing info: You can view Verdier’s work at www.MDVphoto.com
French-born architectural photographer Marie-Dominique Verdier (also known as Deaux) moved to Longmont’s historic East Side during the heart of the pandemic—an unexpectedly ideal time to explore and connect with her new surroundings. What began as daytime walks soon evolved into nighttime excursions, ultimately inspiring her Longmont at Night series.
March
Andrea Helmus
Purchasing info: Prints, stickers, cards, and calendars available from https://geraniumstudioshop.etsy.com or email Andrea directly at geraniumstudioart@gmail.com
Born in Colorado, Andrea Helmus has always been inspired by the beautiful and varied landscapes of this amazing place. A self-taught watercolor artist, she has been painting for over 10 years, but also loves to quilt, sew, and explore other mediums where she can indulge her love of color. A Spanish teacher by trade, she enjoys creating affordable art that people from all walks of life can display and enjoy.
In our fast-paced, complicated lives, it is easy to lose touch with the natural world where beauty and simplicity abound, where we can be refreshed and our spirits renewed. Andrea’s paintings are inspired by being outdoors, capturing with her paints and brushes the vivid colors, textures, and patterns that catch her eye. Her intent is to help people notice the extraordinary beauty in our everyday surroundings and come away delighted. Andrea lives in Longmont with her husband and three daughters.
April
Julie Stone
Purchasing info: If you are interested in Julie’s artwork, please reach out directly at juliestoneart@gmail.com or juliestoneart.com
In Julie’s words: I have been drawing, painting, and doing all kinds of other creative things since I was a young child. In first grade I won a contest with my crayon drawing of singing bluebirds flying through a cheerful orangey sky. While I don’t do art with crayons any longer, I create pieces from just about any medium you can think of from traditional paints to recycled items to textiles and paper. Many of my pieces are inspired by my other hobbies and interests - animals, old architecture, nature, and various sports.
May
Anna Harber Freeman
Purchasing info: If you are interested in Anna’s art, please reach out directly at annaharberfreeman@gmail.com
Anna Harber Freeman is grateful to be a creator of art who is married to her best friend, and the mother of two amazing humans. In addition to making art at every opportunity, she is a children’s book author and a public school art teacher who has worked with students of all ages. Her photography, painting, and writing are inspired by the beauty of nature, and noticing the magic in small moments.
June
Paige Moriarty
Purchasing info: There are prints available! Please visit paigemoriarty.com for inquiries.
Paige Moriarty is an artist and designer proud to call Longmont home for the past 25 years. Growing up in Baltimore, MD and spending summers at a wildlife camp in the mountains of West Virginia, she embraced her love for drawing and the natural world – first by attending the Baltimore School for the Arts for high school, and then earning her BFA in Illustration from Rhode Island School of Design. She spent many happy hours drawing from life and natural objects in the college’s Nature Lab, and studied landscape painting abroad during an impactful term at the Burren College of Art in Ireland. Professionally, Paige has primarily built her career in graphic design, from working with publishers and design agencies to leading creative marketing teams. Fine art and illustration side projects have never been far – a school mural here, a public art piece there, even a local food truck! These days, Paige is experimenting with creating digital illustration work. She lives in Longmont and has two wildly creative, young adult children who inspire her daily.
July
April Bliss
August
Charlotte Ryerse
Purchasing info: There are prints available! Please visit CharlotteRyerse.com for inquiries.
Charlotte Ryerse is finding beauty in life’s messy chaos. She is a mother of three and professional creative turned full-time chaos manager. Her artwork is a way to pause and uncover beauty in the ordinary moments. Inspired by daily walks with her youngest child, she soaks in the vibrant energy of Colorado’s outdoors. Working primarily in acrylic on paper, Charlotte captures landscapes and everyday moments in paintings that transform fleeting impressions into intimate, vibrant works alive with motion.
September
Heidi Orcutt
Purchasing info: If you are interested in Heidi’s art, you can check out her Etsy shop.
Heidi Orcutt is an artist who draws inspiration from animals, walks outside, and picture books. Heidi believes that everyone is creative and that art is for everyone. She holds a BFA in Photography from Mississippi State University, although she mostly works in graphite, various paint mediums, and block printing these days. Heidi is a self-taught painter: after graduating, on a whim, and with the help of some YouTube tutorials, she learned about gouache and started painting a series of birds. Heidi’s bird series has grown since and has no foreseeable end. Heidi was invited to participate in the Boulder Alley Gallery project and you can find two of her murals on the parking garage at 16th and Pearl in Boulder. In the evenings, after her desk job, she can be found scratching away in her sketchbook or carving a linoleum block. Heidi lives with her family, two Boston Terriers, and some chickens in Longmont, Colorado.
October
Martha Byroads
November
Amanda Gallant
Purchasing info: Please reach out to Amanda directly at amandagallantart@gmail.com
Amanda Gallant is a sign painter, illustrator, and sewist. Her preferred tools for creating are her tablet, a 1950s Singer 201 sewing machine, and a pocket-sized watercolor kit she brings on all of her adventures. Nature and whimsy are her favorite subjects, and her Colorado home has proven to be a great source of inspiration. She somehow found herself living along the Front Range a few years back, exchanging the urban landscape of Philadelphia with the looming presence of the Rockies on the horizon. So far, the mountains are winning in the view department.
December
Aaron Shirley
Purchasing info: Please follow this link for the featured calendar photo and more!
In Aaron’s words: I am a passionate, Colorado-based photographer starting a new life after military service. I may have moved here recently but Longmont will always hold a special place in my heart. From all the amazing artists and supportive people to the county roads with mountain views, I’ll never forget it. For about five years photography was just a hobby but this year I am fully dedicated to my passion. My goal is to capture the beauty of our world we hold so dearly and share it widely.
A little bit of my story; I am a six-year Navy Veteran who fell in love with photography throughout my travels around the world. I have visited 14 countries and lived in four distinct parts of the earth, The United States, Italy, Japan, and Bahrain. I love to meet new friendly people and diversity in my local community makes me feel most comfortable. I shoot with my Fujifilm X-T5 and a variety of lenses ranging from my favorite 50mm vintage Pentacon lens, which is what I used for this photo, all the way to my 100-400mm Fujifilm lens.