Kitchen angels immortalized when Art for Life returns

By Matt Kailey

Project Angel Heart’s many volunteers are immortalized in this year’s Art for Life poster, “Kitchen Angels,” by artist Robert Spooner. Art for Life is Project Angel Heart’s annual fundraiser that features cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, conversation and, of course, fabulous art that is yours for the bidding. Join Project Angel Heart, artists and art connoisseurs at this year’s event on Friday, September 5 from 5 - 9 p.m. at Abend Gallery, 2260 E. Colfax in Denver. But before you go, get to know this year’s poster artist, Robert Spooner. I was able to catch up to him before the big event to find out about “Kitchen Angels” and more.

Matt Kailey: How did you get involved with Art for Life and how did you become the poster artist?

Robert Spooner: Chris Serr, owner of Abend Gallery here in Denver, has long supported Art for Life. Being an artist represented by her, I have donated paintings for the event over the last few years. Last year one of my chef paintings got a lot of attention at the show, so Chris asked if I might be interested in doing a chef painting for this year’s event. I, of course, said yes. All paintings are generated from photos that I myself shoot. Chris had told me about the kitchen (at Project Angel Heart) that supported the Art for Life cause, so I worked it out that I went to the prep kitchen to shoot possible images for this year’s donation. It was there that I met Jon Emanuel, executive chef for Project Angel Heart, and he told me about the volunteers that been coming (there), some for up to 10 years. It dawned on me that the painting I needed to do was about these people. This theme piece was selected by the Art for Life committee for the poster.

MK: Is the poster representative of the type of work that you do? How would you describe your art?

RS: This piece of art created for the poster is painted in a representational style. My newer work varies from representational to contemporary, depending upon the image and how I wish to express it. My work has always been about being a better artist – the journeys through what is known to somewhere I have not yet discovered. Growth only comes through exploration, and stagnation is the quicksand.

MK: Who were/are your artistic influences?

RS: How can anyone live in Denver and not be influenced by Quang Ho? But there are many roads to take to develop one’s appreciation of art. I admire the draftsmanship and narration of Morgan Weistling and Mian Situ, the depth and graphic works of Alex Kanevsky and Michael Workman, and masters in the past, like Nicolai Fechin.

MK: Where can people see and purchase your art?

RS: My work is sold here in Denver at Abend Gallery, in Houston at Jack Meier Gallery and in Atlanta at the Atlanta Art Gallery. I have some collectors who have come to my studio to purchase or commission pieces of art.

MK: What else would you like to say?

RS: I am just a small link in the chain that creates the success of such an event as Art for Life. My art is about the journey and becoming a better artist. We all have different roads to travel, and donating a piece of my art to help this cause just makes sense. I hope that the turnout for this year’s event will be bigger and better, and I want to thank Chris Serr and the staff of Project Angel Heart for selecting my painting “Kitchen Angels” for this year’s poster.

For more information, go to www.projectangelheart.org.