2012 A.R.T. Artist Karess Knudtson!

"Never More"

Mixed media Upcycled Art

Photography and Encaustics

17 in x17 in

© 2012 Karess Knudtson

 Meet 2012 Artisans Road Trip artist Karess Knudtson!  Karess resides with her family in the beautiful countryside along the Little Sioux River in Milford, IA. Karess studied art and worked in the art department at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She graduated from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Virginia Tech with a Masters of Arts in Education.  Here's Karess -
 

"My family and I enjoy exploring our many acres of restored prairie, woodlands and the Little Sioux River as it winds through them. We spend as much time outside as we can during all of the seasons, enjoying the diversity and beauty of each one.

 

Examples of Textured Photographic Canvas Work
Various sizes available

© 2011 Karess Knudtson

 The creative process has been a very important part of me for as long as I can remember. The art pieces that I am currently offering are all original and hand-worked. Each begins with my photograph and evolves into a mixed media piece of art. The photo is digitally and physically manipulated. Some pieces are then created with an upcycled“canvas” which might include barn wood, metal remnants and other“historic” reused materials. Encaustic painting with beeswax adds yet another dimension of beauty and protection. As I began exploring the technique of encaustic painting…I felt like I was “home.” Loving the outdoors and having been an environmental educator and naturalist, all of my earlier experiences come together in this art form. It combines artistically the elements that I am passionate about....photography, nature, upcycling, and prairies. I use my camera, computer and tactile media as others would use paints or pencils.

Girl Statue No.1

Mixed Media Upcycled Art

Photography & Encaustics

Upcycled barn wood 

 © 2012 Karess Knudtson

There is beauty in every moment of everyday, but in our fast-paced lives it is too easy to let the beautiful moments and objects get away, and we quickly move on. The intent of my photography and subsequent art is…to capture the beauty of everyday and recapture the beauty of materials from the past by manipulating them into a work of art...reflecting beauty in

a place, a time, a life...."

Join Karess at an upcoming exhibit: Month of May in the Exhibit Cove at A Piece of Work, in Spirit Lake, IA with Artist Reception on the First Friday May 4th, 2012 from 5:30 to 7:00

 

Or

Month of June at the Dickinson County Conservation Board Nature Center

with Artist Reception on June 4th, 2012 from 4:30 to 6:00

 

For other upcoming events and more information & pictures you can visit her website.

Karess Knudtson

www.photographybykaress.com

(712)330-7290

Milford, Iowa 51351

"Capturing Everyday Beauty"  

Check back again for more from artists of the 2012 Artisans Road Trip!

2012 A.R.T. Artist Dennis Dykema!

"Spring's Promise"

oil painting - © Dennis Dykema

(click on image for a larger view)

Spirit Lake artist Dennis Dykema just had a solo exhibit open at Arts on Grand in Spencer, Iowa on April 10th.  Last night (April 12th) Arts on Grand held a reception for his exhibit "Recent Paintings" and I must say - please don't let this one get by you!  What a great exhibit!

Since his 2006 move from Storm Lake, Dennis has worked from his second-floor studio located at 1720 Hill Ave. in downtown Spirit Lake, Iowa.  His Spirit Lake studio is also where he exhibits from during the yearly Artisans Road Trip, the first weekend in October.

"So Much to Remember II"

oil painting - © Dennis Dykema

(click on image for a larger view)

Dykema is clearly inspired by the landscape in the region he lives and works.  His paintings are a rich experience in color, tonal value, line and composition...with remarkable brush work that leaves an emotive sense of presence!  Be sure and take in Dykema's exhibit this month and next if you get a chance - it runs through May 12th!

The Artisans Road Trip is proud to claim Dennis Dykema and all our other wonderful artists for 2012 - don't miss out!

From the Tallgrass...an Exhibition

(click on image for a larger view)

A solo exhibition of prairie artist Bruce Morrison’s paintings, drawings and photographs will be hosted by the Witter Gallery in Storm Lake, Iowa. “From the Tallgrass” is a familiar theme for Morrison, who paints, draws and photographs the prairie remnants and locales from the region he lives and works from. Many of the more than 60 works in this exhibit have never been publicly exhibited before.

The 2012 Artisans Road Trip artist works directly from the landscape, as well as the flora and fauna of the tallgrass prairie. “I seek out and paint, draw or photograph actual locations.  I like to ‘document’ as well as ‘celebrate’ the natural and cultural heritage of our region. The prairie made this region what it is today, and I feel compelled to celebrate that heritage.” remarks the artist. You can follow the artist on his weekly blog (http://prairiepainter.blogspot.com).

In the exhibit you will see oil paintings of landscapes done in the “plein air” tradition (on location), or in a more traditional style, done in the artist’s rural studio.  Exhibit visitors will also see very rich landscapes of a smaller scale done in a laborious method in color pencil, as well as intimate and panoramic photographs, and a small, never before exhibited, collection of large format silver gelatin prints.

Morrison works as a professional artist out of his rural SE O’Brien County studio. Bruce and his wife Georgeann remodeled a former sheep barn/chicken coup on their property, to serve as Bruce’s workspace and gallery.  “A great way to re-purpose a piece of our cultural heritage!”  said the artist.

The Exhibit, “From the Tallgrass”,  runs from April 5 through April 26, 2012.  There will be an artist’s reception at the Witter Gallery on Thursday April 5th from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - the public is invited!

The Witter Gallery is located at 609 Cayuga Street, in Storm Lake.  You can contact the Witter for more information at 712 732-3400.