True western artist at heart, Phippen maintains memberships to not only the Art Students League of Denver but also to the Colorado Farm Bureau. “Communicating emotions in a visual language, either in painting or sculpture, requires a fluency in light, color and form, as well as patient observation,” she said. “Observe, and observe again and look for the reasons behind expressions. How—and why—does a horse smile? That’s what I’m after.”

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