A collection of paintings by local artist Helen Cogswell Trostel are currently on display at the Old Trail Gallery in Las Animas.
Accompanying the artwork is a collection of newspaper clippings and photographs depicting the construction of John Martin Dam. The display is on loan from the Army Corps of Engineers and John Martin Dam Museum, said spokesman Don Headlee, a corps ranger.
The 10th edition of the Bent County Chronicle has an extensive essay on the late Mrs. Trostel, whose husband, Fred, was a co-owner of the Box Bar Cross Ranch. There is also an accompanying article on the ranch, both essays written by her daughter, Anne Trostel Galbraith.
Some of the family’s ranch land is now under water behind the dam.
The artist was a graduate of Colorado College and the Art Institute of Chicago. She also received private lessons from a Russian, Dr. Lyof Tregouboff, a professor of art.
Prior to marrying Fred B. Trostel, she enjoyed a career in art and illustration. She was involved in many activities in the county and had numerous friends. Loreta Moss recalls that Mrs. Trostel also lived at the family home in Colorado Springs. Mrs. Galbraith notes in her essay that she now resides in the same residence.
Her work was exhibited in several regional shows. Some of her art was on display at the Arvada Museum of Fine Arts just a few months before she died.
When the construction of John Martin Dam was announced, Trostel began painting landscapes of the ranch land surrounding the dam. She also painted water colors depicting the dam construction. These works, together with a collection of news articles and photos, was later given to the John Martin Dam Museum by her daughter.
Trostel also wrote a novel, All Those Dam People, based on the family experiences of relocating buildings and trying to run a ranch while the dam construction was going on around them.
Headlee said the display has been up throughout October and may be held over until a new exhibit is arranged.
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A collection of paintings by local artist Helen Cogswell Trostel are currently on display at the Old Trail Gallery in Las Animas.
Accompanying the artwork is a collection of newspaper clippings and photographs depicting the construction of John Martin Dam. The display is on loan from the Army Corps of Engineers and John Martin Dam Museum, said spokesman Don Headlee, a corps ranger.
The 10th edition of the Bent County Chronicle has an extensive essay on the late Mrs. Trostel, whose husband, Fred, was a co-owner of the Box Bar Cross Ranch. There is also an accompanying article on the ranch, both essays written by her daughter, Anne Trostel Galbraith.
Some of the family’s ranch land is now under water behind the dam.
The artist was a graduate of Colorado College and the Art Institute of Chicago. She also received private lessons from a Russian, Dr. Lyof Tregouboff, a professor of art.
Prior to marrying Fred B. Trostel, she enjoyed a career in art and illustration. She was involved in many activities in the county and had numerous friends. Loreta Moss recalls that Mrs. Trostel also lived at the family home in Colorado Springs. Mrs. Galbraith notes in her essay that she now resides in the same residence.
Her work was exhibited in several regional shows. Some of her art was on display at the Arvada Museum of Fine Arts just a few months before she died.
When the construction of John Martin Dam was announced, Trostel began painting landscapes of the ranch land surrounding the dam. She also painted water colors depicting the dam construction. These works, together with a collection of news articles and photos, was later given to the John Martin Dam Museum by her daughter.
Trostel also wrote a novel, All Those Dam People, based on the family experiences of relocating buildings and trying to run a ranch while the dam construction was going on around them.
Headlee said the display has been up throughout October and may be held over until a new exhibit is arranged.
