Niwot's Fly Away Home celebrates local artists

Fly Away Home is a cozy little shop tucked away in Niwot's Cottonwood Square. Its owner Kathy Trauner has high hopes for the home décor and gift boutique, and those hopes have to do with celebrating local artists. "It was one of my goals at the very beginning...I want this to feel like a place of community and give them [local artists] the space to share their work!" she said.

So far, Trauner has recognized a few local artists, mostly painters, but hopes to expand past that medium to include more art styles and techniques. "Being an artist is hard! I see what they pour into their work, there's so much that goes into it...So anything that gets them a leg up is a great thing," Trauner said. She hopes that by celebrating local art, not only will it help her business, but it will also help the community be more open to new artists and appreciate them.

She is very excited to name North Boulder painter Astrid Paustian for the month of November. Her warm colors and whimsical style capture the feeling of fall, whether it's through her more abstract paintings or those that actually capture nature. "I first saw her work online...it's so bright and vibrant, just beautifully done," gushed Trauner. She further described Paustian's art to have a "warming, modern feel" and expressed the hope that community members stop by to see her work. Using a variety of mediums such as oil and acrylic, it's clear that Paustian is a dynamic artist with an eye for color.

Trauner said that she's always looking for new artists across Boulder County and that she hopes to have a diverse variety to show off in her shop. For her, she picks artists based on who might fit the shop and have a style attractive to her customers--this approach allows her to consider and celebrate a great number of artists and styles. For Trauner, gifting artists exposure is fun, but it is also an opportunity for the community to come together. "Local art is important and we want to be a community who celebrates local art!"