This is the fourth and final feature in a short series highlighting artists living at Sopris Lodge Carbondale Senior Living.
Sopris Lodge is chock-full of creatives living out their golden years. There are virtuosos in a myriad of artistic mediums who are showing no sign of stymieing their creative contributions. Roger Davis and his wife, Nancy Thomas, were the final two artists who spoke to The Sopris Sun for this series.
Davis, who grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a multiple-medium painter specializing in watercolors, pastels, charcoal and oil painting. Thomas, originally from Columbus, Ohio, is a lifelong musician who played the viola for the Aspen Festival Orchestra, which she dedicated 30 years to. She has authored books based on her program notes she kept from her time with Aspen Festival Orchestra.
“My mother was a harpsichordist, pianist and piano teacher. My father was a scientist, but he also played the violin,” said Thomas. “So I was raised as a musician. I got my degrees in music in Michigan and played in the Baltimore Symphony and the Aspen Festival Orchestra for 30 years.”
This dynamic couple met at the University of Michigan, where Davis was working in a lab studying fish biology — an element he continues to include in his artwork to this day.
“The lab I worked in used fish as a model for understanding the chemistry of memory; more specifically what happens in the brain when we learn something,” said Davis. “It is a simple model that has gone way beyond what we were doing back then.”
While the couples’ varied modes of artistry may seem distant, they say it makes for a good mix.
“I know enough about art just from my own musical training. We both have a love for the arts, of course,” said Thomas. “The demands and professions are different but, all in all, I would say it’s a good combination for the two of us.”
Aside from the many beautiful scenes of nature which Davis has created, he also shared that he likes to paint portraits. Of whom, though, is rather specific.
“I enjoyed doing small portraits of famous biologists who didn’t have their portrait painted,” he stated. “If there may be a photograph floating around of them or a black and white drawing, I turn it into a portrait.”
The couple lived together in Ann Arbor, Michigan for many years before Davis followed Thomas out to Aspen in the ‘60s. They resided there before moving to the lodge in March of this year.
The transition proved a little tricky when it came to migrating the large amount of artwork from home to their two-bedroom abode. But that hasn’t stopped them from continuing to create and interact regularly with their creative new neighbors.
“It’s a wonderful place to be,” said Davis. Thomas echoed the same sentiment, saying they are lucky to be surrounded by friendly and interesting people.
The landscapes in many of Davis’ works will seem familiar to those who get the chance to see. From a painting of the notorious Devil’s Punch Bowl on Independence Pass to views along Highway 82, Catherine Store Road and at the old Finnbar Farm — where he used to work — he’s covered a lot of ground in the area through his paintings.
When discussing his creative process, Davis gave detailed insights into the art that lives on the couples’ walls. He said that when he puts the materials to paper, he has a specific vision that he tries to bring to life. His works capture both motion and stillness.
“I like to look at natural scenes and simplify them, improve the colors and make them more consistent with what I see in my head,” he added. “I let that approach to my work take over. As an artist, you won’t be able to copy the inspiration and be satisfied with a mere copy of something.”
When asked if they had any wisdom to impart on aspiring artists, the couple stated that the art of study is the best method to master any craft, whether you’re painting or picking up a musical instrument.
“Mastering materials and techniques is certainly a big part of it, but that starts with trying. Keep drawing, thinking, looking and imagining what you want to see,” Davis concluded.
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