Holly Bea Weaver, Allenspark. Whether you’re viewing artist Terry Kasprzak’s drawings, photographs, oil paintings or watercolors, you’ll find themes that embrace what he calls “rural-ness.” To him, it’s a profound awareness of place, ingenuity, hard work and history.

“Rural-ness speaks to strength and doggedness of our country,” said Kasprzak.  And the subject matter is boundless, like his self-proclaimed “overabundance of inspiration.”

“I don’t know where all this inspiration comes from. I just have too many ideas and not enough time to do them all. I guess it’s about perception,” he said.

Kasprzak is one of 19 artists featured at The Old Gallery in Allenspark, a nonprofit center for community, the arts and visitors on Colorado Highway 7. His work has been featured there for the past three years and he’s a popular drawing teacher, as well.

He is passionate about drawing and believes it is the bones behind an idea. He also works in watercolor, which he considers an “interesting challenge.” He loves the smell of oil paints and admits to enjoying getting all those different colors on him. And photography has a dual appeal. “By itself, it’s art. It’s also a means to an end, providing a great sketchbook for other artistic media,” he said.

Kasprzak studied at Northern Illinois University where the art department emphasized creativity instead of artistic technique. “This provided a somewhat difficult learning environment, but one that proved to be very beneficial, giving me the opportunity to pursue my personal directions in the world of art,” he said. He enjoys capturing mountain scenes, grasslands and historic architecture.

When asked what he likes about The Old Gallery in Allenspark, he said, “It’s an escape from a hectic world and a place to dream in.”  

The Old Gallery is a nonprofit center for community, the arts and visitors, located at 14863 Hwy. 7 in Allenspark. While it’s only 20 minutes from Estes Park, it’s nothing like it. “This is a small mountain hamlet where visitors and residents alike can slow down and enjoy the peace and beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

Kasprzak has called Loveland home for 53 years, but he loves being a part of the Allenspark art community. “It’s so worth the drive,” said Kasprzak. “There’s such a range of artwork available here. And the thing to remember is when you make an art purchase, you’re buying more than an image. You’re getting a part of the artist’s life and all the years of effort to develop a style or styles.”

For a complete list of artists and events at The Old Gallery visit www.theoldgallery.org. 

(Originally published in the August 15, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)