A New Display

There is a little distillery tucked into the shopping center at Drake & Lemay in Fort Collins. It's been here about a year. It's called Elevation 5003 Distillery and it's an upscale but fun and relaxed place to hang out for a unique drink at what is essentially a friendly, community-like table feel at the bar.

Not to mention dog-friendly!

It took me forever to go over there, even though it's within walking distance of my house. I didn't go simply because I've never been a hard liquor drinker, with the exception of margaritas, and it just wasn't high on my priority list, not being a drinking establishment frequenter.

When my friend Melody told me I needed to go over there and she invited me to go with a group of runners, I checked it out.

What a surprise!

I began going there on occasion, trying to bring friends with me to convince them to check it out. Everyone was impressed each time, and one day I was sitting there with my running friend Crisann and the owner and manager were talking about having an Artist of the Month display on their wall. I asked about it and told them about my pastel paintings, and showed them some of my work. We set it up, and I am on for Artist of Month for March.

I just got done putting everything together, since it's been a while since I've done a show or anything formal with my artwork. It was time consuming but fun, and it got me excited again. I've been having all sorts of ideas for painting. I happen to be in the middle of writing a book so I will have to wait a while before I can start working on those ideas but I will, hopefully as early as this summer.

Their drinks are unique and they distill all their own hard liquor. My favorite by far has been Falernum. It's a combination of vanilla, lime, allspice, and other flavors. They call it "Christmas in a glass". It really is. I started making cocktails with it at home, and was having fun around Christmas.

Here's an example:

The Falernum cocktail pairs well with pomegranate guacamole, below. (Secret recipes, but if you come to the Distillery I might just give out my secrets!)

Come over to the Distillery in March, I'm going to be having receptions both Thursday evening March 2nd from 4 pm to 8 pm and on Sunday March 5th from 1 pm to 5 pm. All my work on display there will be for sale.