About the Cover

COURTESY OF SIMONE WHITE

about the cover Simone White: “Alpenglow”

Simone White

›› After studying the work of famed Spanish surrealist Joan Miró, emerging Steamboat Springs artist Simone White decided to create an original artwork, adapting his technique to her style.

The result is “Alpenglow,” the artwork that appears on the cover of this special “Year of the Arts” edition of the Yampa Valley Arts & Culture Guide.

Simone’s interpretation of the mountains at sunset is a mixed media piece using watercolor, India ink and pen. The bold colors were inspired by Miró, whose work she viewed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The darker colors near the horizon suggest the sunset.

The bold black lines are Simone’s own addition. They are a common theme in her work, employed to add contrast and rhythm.

“Alpenglow” was created in mid-November in Steamboat, when there was no snow on the ground and the landscape was stark. Like other artists, she used the down time between seasons and the stay-at-home COVID-19 mandates to experiment with new media. “I think I’ve really been more inspired since COVID,” Simone says.

Her next challenge is to create larger works. She has a 4-by-6-foot canvas waiting for her next spark of inspiration.

Simone knows creativity is in her future, but as a 2021 Steamboat Springs High School graduate who is enjoying a gap year, she is not about to narrow her options.

In addition to painting, she also crafts clay bowls and mugs, makes jewelry with mixed metals, glass and stones, and uses techniques like hydro-dipping and printmaking. She has dabbled in dance, photography and culinary arts. An internship with Chef Kate at Café Diva was cut short by COVID, but since then, culinary school has been high on her list of options. For now, travelling tops her list. Perhaps a trip to Barcelona, Spain, to see the Fundació Joan Miró?

“Alpenglow” is on display at Pine Moon Fine Art, 117 Ninth St., through January, and then at the Depot Art Center, 1001 13th St. in downtown Steamboat. Her work can be viewed on Instagram at @white._simone. ■

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