• Steamboat Gravel has done an impressive job of inserting itself into the world of gravel bike racing. Despite being fairly new to the scene, it has effectively elevated itself to a world class event. Founded in 2019, and now host to over 3,000 riders, it offers four different distances, all of them leading athletes through the most inspiring landscape in and around Steamboat Springs CO.

In the early part of 2020, I was commissioned by the owner and co-founder of Steamboat Gravel to create the commemorative poster for the 2021 event. As a trained artist who also pushes her own athletic envelope, the project presented itself as a natural bridge merging who I am and what I love to do. I knew painting for SBTGVL would bring to my riding the same depth and layers that have always been a familiar extension of who I am in the studio.

Getting started was the easy part. It meant exploring all the best gravel roads in the valley on my bike. Peddling into the peaceful seclusion of its furthest reaches Easy. It also meant creating a strategy that would allow my bike to evolve into a mobile studio. Allocating space on it’s tight frame for my reduced artist kit. Striking a reasonable balance between what's needed for a days ride and what’s needed to create small works of art.

A small tablet, pens, pencils, brushes and pallet of paint in a roll on my handle bars became my wingman during the best summer months of 2021. Together we covered hundreds of miles, Stopping roadside in the warmth and quiet, using the suns perfect light, translating the surrounding landscape into a small piece of art. Pen to paper, marks and soft free lines lay foundation to what would eventually unfold into the complete VIEWS FROM MY BIKE collection.

Started deep in the belly of Steamboat’s quiet, dirty roads and finished in my studio with an intentional mix of bold color and loose detail, the collection evolved into 35 original works on paper and 14 paintings on canvas.

After the SBTGVL selection committee narrowed down and chose the piece that best represented the energy of event, and noteworthy views of the Yampa valley, it went to print and became the 2021 SBTGVL commemorative poster.

The completed collection became the focus of late summer events. As an invited exhibitor to the SBTGVL race expo I was able to share space with leaders in the industry, using my booth as a sales channel, networking platform and place to showcase my work, and tell its story.

At that same time, Pine Moon Fine Arts, located in the heart of Downtown Steamboat Springs dedicated gallery space to feature the collection’s paintings on canvas and wrapped it all up with a month long solo show.

The views from my bike, They’ve never looked so good!