Robert Quimby - Robert Quimby Art
DEBBIE: Let's start with you telling me about yourself. Were you always an artist, or did that come later?
ROBERT: I grew up around cattle and horses in Nebraska. I always took art classes, but people discouraged pursuing it as a career. After flunking calculus and abandoning architecture, I took college art electives. That snowballed into degrees in art and behavioral science, followed by 35 years as a creative director while continually working toward becoming a full-time artist.
DEBBIE: How would you describe your style of art?
ROBERT: My art is realistic Western, focused on modern-day working ranches. I don't use a lot of romantic, flashy colors; it's pretty realistic. I work in watercolors, pencil drawings, and Conté charcoal. Overall, I would define my work as modern, realistic Western art.
DEBBIE: What does style mean to you, both in your art and your lifestyle?
ROBERT: I live the Western lifestyle authentically. While I am not a working cowboy, I dress the part genuinely rather than wearing modern casual clothes. That visual presentation grants credibility and accuracy to my work. For me, style represents the visual identity and imagery you portray to the world.
DEBBIE: What do you hope people feel when they see your art?
ROBERT: Art is subjective, so I hope my work sparks a personal connection or memory, whether someone relates to a horse, a ranch setting, or a title. A mentor once said great art repeatedly draws people back. Ultimately, I want my work to resonate with viewers, but I hope everyone finds art they enjoy.
Dana Francis - Francis Hat Co.
DEBBIE: So, first thing I'm going to start with is, what's your why? Why are you doing this?
DANA: I was a hairstylist for 10 years, which was a great creative outlet. After having kids, I wanted something of my own again. Growing up in the West, I’ve always been drawn to Western values and the artistry of hats. When a local hatter refused to teach me, calling it a dying art, it lit a fire under me. I found prominent hat maker Tom Hirt online and connected with him.
DEBBIE: And how long did it take you from saying, "I want to make hats?"
DANA: After that initial "no," it took a couple of years of research while balancing working at my kids' school. Life happened, but this past October I finally attended Tom’s class at Trinidad State College. The timing was perfect, and God really had a hand in aligning everything. Tom has been a fantastic mentor, along with a woman who’s been hatting for seven years.
DEBBIE: When somebody's interested in a hat, do they come here and do you measure them, or what’s your process?
DANA: Sometimes clients come to me or I go to them. I've set up at events like the Castle Rock Starlighting Market and measured head sizes on the spot. I also teach non-local clients how to measure themselves at home. Since most of my customers live elsewhere, many of my hats end up being shipped across the country.
DEBBIE: So is living in Castle Rock influencing how you make your hats at all?
DANA: Absolutely. Castle Rock has a strong Western feel and deeply rustic roots, even as the area grows and changes over time. Coming from a small town in California, those traditional Western elements mirror my own personal background and continuously inspire the design and overall aesthetic of the hats I create.
Carrie Martin - Carrie Martin Studio
Debbie: Tell me your origin story and your "why."
Carrie: I was born an artist, but studying fine arts wasn't an option for my parents, so I earned a design communications degree instead. After moving to Denver in 1989, I worked in graphic design and corporate marketing for decades, running my own agencies. However, I always knew I wanted to paint. In 2021, after remote work during COVID shifted my perspective, I took a separation package from my role with the Town of Castle Rock to pursue fine art full-time. I converted the century-old cinder-block garage at my home into my studio and finally transitioned from digital design to physical canvas.
Debbie: Is there a particular piece that has extreme meaning to you?
Carrie: I’d have to say Edgar Allan Poe in a Chapeau with a Crow & Marie Laveau & La Cage aux Folles on a Moonlit Stroll in the Pyrenees.
Debbie: How has living in Castle Rock influenced you?
Carrie: It’s been amazing and exceeded my high expectations. Having worked here previously, I already had a community through local arts organizations. The community spirit is incredible, people constantly offer help, and the young people in local businesses are genuinely polite, courteous, and welcoming. It really is a magical place to live.
Debbie: What are you doing next?
Carrie: I'll be working on a new corporate commission series for Parker AdventHealth Hospital. The paintings will measure 30 by 22 inches and be similar in style to my Red Rocks series to complement their interior design color scheme.
Matt Rinn - Rinn Originals
DEBBIE: Tell me about your "why." Why do you do this?
Matt: I love it—it is simply a part of who I am. Just as some people have a natural knack for picking up an instrument and playing, I have the ability to see or hear things and create them. I have a deep desire to build and bring people's imaginations to life. Once I have an idea, it constantly consumes my mind until I build it. I do it because I have been blessed with the capability.
DEBBIE: How would you describe what you do?
Matt: My work has a very organic, flowy feel because I don't use templates or rigid structures. While I understand structural foundations, I let my imagination guide the process—whether making furniture or paintings. For coffee tables, I might design the top first and organically build a unique base to match. Recently, I've incorporated threedimensional wall carvings, lighting, and illusions to create depth, ensuring there's always more to my art than meets the eye.
DEBBIE: How does living in Castle Rock influence your work?
Matt: The community as a whole—along with my fellow artists and friends—has been tremendously supportive of my work. The local community's expectations really motivate me to keep creating. People don't expect the ordinary from me, which continually pushes my creative boundaries whenever they see new pieces.
DEBBIE: What has creating taught you about yourself?
Matt: It has taught me resilience and character. You can always push your limits, learn more, and keep moving forward—even when people dislike your work, financial pressures pile on, or you're tempted to return to a corporate suit-and-tie job. Being in the trenches is when you learn and grow the most as a person. If you can battle through those moments, nothing can stop you. Above all, it has taught me to believe in myself and never give up.
Kim Abbs - K.ABBS MUD & INK STUDIO
DEBBIE: Tell me a little bit about your "why." Why do you do what you do?
KIM: I started doing scratchboard in college as part of my graphic design curriculum. We explored watercolor, acrylics, oils, and drawing, but scratchboard really stuck with me. It is an exceptionally challenging medium, and I naturally gravitate toward it because I love pushing myself to master difficult techniques.
DEBBIE: Can you explain what a scratchboard is?
KIM: It starts with a white clay board coated in black India ink. Once the ink dries, you scrape it away to reveal the white surface underneath, creating a reverse effect image. I draw freehand, lightly sketching outlines with chalk before using an X-Acto knife to scratch out the details.
DEBBIE: How did you get started in pottery?
KIM: I first tried pottery around ninth grade in high school and fell in love with it. Later on, I decided to take formal pottery classes to build my skills. I have been actively working with clay for eight years now, alongside my scratchboard work.
DEBBIE: What does style mean to you, both in your art and your life?
KIM: My artwork isn't strictly realistic; it is fluid, filled with motion, and has a distinct scratchboard texture. That movement defines my artistic style. My personal life reflects that same dynamic energy—I am always on the move, taking on different projects, and navigating life in many exciting directions.
DEBBIE: How do you hope people feel when they look at your art?
KIM: I want viewers to be truly moved when they look at my art. My goal is for people to feel a deep emotional connection, capture the subject's personality, and form a genuine bond with the piece.