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When you are surrounded by motorcycle images that remind you of past journeys, sparks fly and you feel a rumble in the air. You offer stories about motorcycling while viewing a painting of Harley Softtail hanging on the wall. You stare at a landscape surrounding another bike to see if you might have experienced the same view the previous year. You share your passion for riding, beer in hand, and get to know strangers. Maybe you find a photo or painting to fit onto your home's entry way wall. Maybe you are a bit taken by the sculpture of a dog made up of various motorcycle parts and want to visualize it sitting in your doorway protecting your home.

None of that is unusual for an opening night at the annual American Throttle; Chrome & Chroma Motorcycle Art Exhibit. It's very common that these paintings and photos get you thinking about where you'll ride next. They validate the timeless idea that riding is more than what you have experienced. It is always the journey and the destination ahead.

When you look over the names of this year's Chrome & Chroma artists, you see why this third annual exhibit is a special collection representing some very cool riding experiences. This year returning digital artists Steve Schader and Danial James, painters David Uhl and Ronnie Cramer, and photographer Michael Lichter were accompanied by new artists including digital art by Christopher Manzanares, prints from Scott Jacobs, ink and watercolors by Tom Pounders, photography by Patrick Glenn and sculpture by Fred Zietz.

Anyone would be hard pressed to pick their favorite artist or piece from this collection as the styles are very diverse while the enthusiasm of the varying biker life styles shine through. This unique gallery show could be viewed from July 30th until August 21st and the opening night was a benefit for ArtReach, a non-profit that supports adults and children without the means to take art lessons.

Although the rain kept many away from the exhibit's opener, show attendance was better than expected and the local band Emilio Emilio kept the crowd well entertained for a few hours. Food and beer were plentiful and as the evening passed, so too did the rain. A few riders later commented on how beautiful the ride home was from Uhl Studios, located in Golden.

Plans are being made for the fourth annual Chrome & Chroma. We hope to see you there next year. To find out more about ArtReach in Denver, Colorado, visit www.artreach.org. American Throttle is a motorcycle novelty and event company. Our first product is American Throttle: The Game which is a motorcycle trivia, poker run board game. (www.americanthrottle.com). Uhl Studios is a fine art gallery specializes in motorcycle and aviation art by David Uhl and Daniel James. (www.uhlstudios.com). Look for a website devoted to these exhibits in the near future (www.chromeandchroma.com).

Cool bikes line the front of Uhl's Studio.

Chris Manzanarez, one of the artists in the show, pulls up on his bike at the beginning of the evening.

The crowd inside the gallery.

Before the rain, Emilio Emilio jams a few songs.

After the rain passes, an overcast sky and wet parking lot make for a beautiful photo of Uhl's Studio... the glow of the gallery and the bikes parked outside shine in the darkening night.