Happy New Year from A.R.T.!

The artists of the Artisans Road Trip would like to wish everyone out there a very Happy and Prosperous NEW YEAR! 

Be sure and watch this blog and check out the A.R.T. web site often throughout the year for A.R.T. exhibits and events!  And if you are an artist (or may know one) that would like to participate in the 2014 Artisans Road Trip - be sure and download the application from the website at the following link - http://www.artisansroadtrip.com/2014-CallforEntry.pdf or call or e-mail one of the A.R.T. members listed on our website's information page - http://www.artisansroadtrip.com/ataglance.htm
and they can mail an application to you!

See you in the New Year!

Artisans Road Trip Looking forward to 2014!

The Artisans Road Trip is ramping up to prepare for its 2nd decade in 2014!  Since its beginning back in 2004, the A.R.T. has been bringing the best artists in the region to the public's eye and creating opportunities for area and regional exhibits, and opening many artist's studios to everyone taking in the event when it culminates every October.  This coming season - A.R.T. 2014 will hold its October event during the "second" weekend of October; a change from the first weekend due to large event conflicts that have taken place in recent years.

And, as in every year at this time, A.R.T. is putting out the welcome mat for new and past artists to join in for the 2014!  Artists are encouraged to download the application for the Call for Entry at - http://www.artisansroadtrip.com/2014-CallforEntry.pdf  If an applicant does not have access to the internet, or just desires more information, they can call 712 732-6286.

The Artisans Road Trip is looking forward to bringing more of the great art and art events to NW Iowa in 2014 - we hope you can join us throughout the year ahead!

2013 A.R.T. Artists at the Invitational Exhibit "Wood & Metal"

Arts on Grand in Spencer, Iowa is now presenting a special invitational exhibit titled "Wood & Metal" which will run through November 23rd.

 View kinetic sculptures 

"Wind Time, When Time Is Controlled By The Wind" and "Do We Care, We Do Care"

in the video above - ©William Lieb

 A.R.T. member artist William Lieb is exhibiting five wood wall reliefs and five steel sculptures plus models of two large public sculptures in this event. The actual full-size public sculptures are on display four blocks south of Arts on Grand in the new Clay County Heritage Center's exterior courtyard. They are titled "Wind Time, When Time Is Controlled By The Wind" and "Do We Care, We Do Care". (These can be viewed in the video above)

Works ©Perry Polson and ©Marisa Sidles

A.R.T. members Perry Polson and Marisa Sidles are also represented in the Wood & Metal exhibit along with six other artists. A reception is planned for Thursday, November 7th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Arts on Grand.

Thank you for visiting artists and exhibits of the 2013 Artisans Road trip - stop by again soon!

2013 A.R.T. - Joanne Alberda - "Tales from Heaven and Earth" Exhibit

"Black Galaxy" 

artwork - ©Joanne Alberda

Activities continue for artists of the 2013 Artisans Road Trip!  Remember - just because the "road trip" part of the 2013 A.R.T. is past, doesn't mean the 2013 A.R.T. events and activities are over!  We still have exhibits at the Pearson Lakes Art Center at Okoboji, Iowa and one that has just ended at Spencer Iowa's Arts on Grand, and yet another coming up in the next couple months at the Clear lake Art Center - more on that at a later time.

A new event coming up for 2013 A.R.T. Sioux Center, Iowa artist Joanne Alberda, is at Northwestern College!  The new exhibition opens on Oct. 28 and runs until Nov. 15.  "Tales from Heaven and Earth", an exhibition of fabric artwork will be on display in Northwestern College's Te Paske Gallery.  A public reception is scheduled for Friday, November 1 at 7 p.m.

Thanks for checking in with the artists and activities of the 2013 Artisans Road Trip!  We have much more going on - be sure and check back soon!

“Tales from Heaven and Earth,” an exhibit of fabric artwork by Joanne Alberda of Sioux Center, will be on display in Northwestern College’s Te Paske Gallery Oct. 28 through Nov. 15. A public reception is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. - See more at: http://www.nwciowa.edu/news/press/3513/fabric-artist-to-display-work-at-northwestern#sthash.ULo31kgv.dpuf

“Tales from Heaven and Earth,” an exhibit of fabric artwork by Joanne Alberda of Sioux Center, will be on display in Northwestern College’s Te Paske Gallery Oct. 28 through Nov. 15. A public reception is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. - See more at: http://www.nwciowa.edu/news/press/3513/fabric-artist-to-display-work-at-northwestern#sthash.ULo31kgv.dpuf

“Tales from Heaven and Earth,” an exhibit of fabric artwork by Joanne Alberda of Sioux Center, will be on display in Northwestern College’s Te Paske Gallery Oct. 28 through Nov. 15. A public reception is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. - See more at: http://www.nwciowa.edu/news/press/3513/fabric-artist-to-display-work-at-northwestern#sthash.ULo31kgv.dpuf

“Tales from Heaven and Earth,” an exhibit of fabric artwork by Joanne Alberda of Sioux Center, will be on display in Northwestern College’s Te Paske Gallery Oct. 28 through Nov. 15. A public reception is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. - See more at: http://www.nwciowa.edu/news/press/3513/fabric-artist-to-display-work-at-northwestern#sthash.ULo31kgv.dpuf

2013 A.R.T. Artist Anita K. Plucker - Reflections: That Time, That Place

 

"Adaptation - Bullfrog"

color pencil drawing - ©Anita K. Plucker

 

From Terril, Iowa, Anita K. Plucker, nicknamed Katie, recently retired - finally enabling her to become a full-time artist and to continue her love to teach by conducting workshops throughout the Midwest.  Anita has been a popular art instructor for many art organizations, including the Amana Arts Guild, the Pearson Lakes Art Center, Arts on Grand, A Piece of Work, the Blanden and others.  She is a member of area arts councils and arts committees, a participant in the Artisans Road Trip event, is a member of the Transparent Watercolor Society, a signature member of the Iowa Watercolor Society and a charter member of the Colored Pencil Society of America.  

 

 

 "From my Kayak - Color on Minnewashta" 

watercolor painting -  ©Anita K. Plucker

Anita's watercolor paintings and colored pencil drawings reflect her life in the upper Midwest - rural landscapes. waterscapes, architecture indicative to this area. Currently her inspiration and focus for her work are the designs, the patterning created as nature and man play with the surface of the land and water. The bulk of her work has been created from photos taken while kayaking, one of her favorite ways to get up close with nature. Anita's approach to her artwork is realistic and her style ranges from loose flowing brushstrokes to tightly controlled detail. She looks for spatial relationship with the subject matter and loves to simulate surface texture.

 

"My Ducks In A Row"

 watercolor painting -  ©Anita K. Plucker

The Pearson Lakes Art Center will exhibit her work, titled Reflections: That Time, That Place, October 24th through December 31st, in the Weaver Lobby and McIlrath Landing Galleries of the center. Meet the artist at the Opening Reception, Thursday, October 24, 5-7 p.m., with an Artist Talk at 6 p.m. 

 

Thank You! Watch A.R.T. Through the Rest of the Year!

Wow, its been a week since the big weekend for the 2013 Artisans Road trip - time sure flies by when you're having fun doesn't it!  The artists participating in this year's activities want to take a moment to say "Thank You" to everyone we had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with, old friends and new acquaintances alike!

But the Artisans Road Trip activities actually last all year - year round!  Don't forget to take advantage of the A.R.T. exhibit showing at Arts on Grand in Spencer through October 26th, and the A.R.T. exhibit at the Pearson Lakes Art Center clear up through December 7th!

The artists of A.R.T. also keep busy throughout the year with their own exhibits and shows - right now you can see 2013 A.R.T. artist Dave Strom up at Worthington, Minnesota in the Nobles County Art Center.  The opening reception for Strom’s exhibit, which he calls “D. Strom: The Search Never Ends,” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. this Sunday (October 13). The exhibit continues through October. Hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

We'll try and bring you all the news and updates here for all the artists of the 2013 Artisans Road Trip and A.R.T. activities - check back again soon, and thank you for supporting the artists of our region!

The opening reception for Strom’s exhibit, which he calls “D. Strom: The Search Never Ends,” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center, located on the lower level of the War Memorial Building (Nobles County Library), 407 12th St., Worthington. The exhibit continues through October. Hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, phone 372-7245; or email noblearts@knology.net.

The opening reception for Strom’s exhibit, which he calls “D. Strom: The Search Never Ends,” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center, located on the lower level of the War Memorial Building (Nobles County Library), 407 12th St., Worthington. The exhibit continues through October. Hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, phone 372-7245; or email noblearts@knology.net.

The opening reception for Strom’s exhibit, which he calls “D. Strom: The Search Never Ends,” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center, located on the lower level of the War Memorial Building (Nobles County Library), 407 12th St., Worthington. The exhibit continues through October. Hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, phone 372-7245; or email noblearts@knology.net.

The opening reception for Strom’s exhibit, which he calls “D. Strom: The Search Never Ends,” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center, located on the lower level of the War Memorial Building (Nobles County Library), 407 12th St., Worthington. The exhibit continues through October. Hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, phone 372-7245; or email noblearts@knology.net.

The opening reception for Strom’s exhibit, which he calls “D. Strom: The Search Never Ends,” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center, located on the lower level of the War Memorial Building (Nobles County Library), 407 12th St., Worthington. The exhibit continues through October. Hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, phone 372-7245; or email noblearts@knology.net.

The opening reception for Strom’s exhibit, which he calls “D. Strom: The Search Never Ends,” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center, located on the lower level of the War Memorial Building (Nobles County Library), 407 12th St., Worthington. The exhibit continues through October. Hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, phone 372-7245; or email noblearts@knology.net.

The opening reception for Strom’s exhibit, which he calls “D. Strom: The Search Never Ends,” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center, located on the lower level of the War Memorial Building (Nobles County Library), 407 12th St., Worthington. The exhibit continues through October. Hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, phone 372-7245; or email noblearts@knology.net.

The opening reception for Strom’s exhibit, which he calls “D. Strom: The Search Never Ends,” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center, located on the lower level of the War Memorial Building (Nobles County Library), 407 12th St., Worthington. The exhibit continues through October. Hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, phone 372-7245; or email noblearts@knology.net.

The opening reception for Strom’s exhibit, which he calls “D. Strom: The Search Never Ends,” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center, located on the lower level of the War Memorial Building (Nobles County Library), 407 12th St., Worthington. The exhibit continues through October. Hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, phone 372-7245; or email noblearts@knology.net.

The opening reception for Strom’s exhibit, which he calls “D. Strom: The Search Never Ends,” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center, located on the lower level of the War Memorial Building (Nobles County Library), 407 12th St., Worthington. The exhibit continues through October. Hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, phone 372-7245; or email noblearts@knology.net.

The opening reception for Strom’s exhibit, which he calls “D. Strom: The Search Never Ends,” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center, located on the lower level of the War Memorial Building (Nobles County Library), 407 12th St., Worthington. The exhibit continues through October. Hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, phone 372-7245; or email noblearts@knology.net.

The opening reception for Strom’s exhibit, which he calls “D. Strom: The Search Never Ends,” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center, located on the lower level of the War Memorial Building (Nobles County Library), 407 12th St., Worthington. The exhibit continues through October. Hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, phone 372-7245; or email noblearts@knology.net.

The opening reception for Strom’s exhibit, which he calls “D. Strom: The Search Never Ends,” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center, located on the lower level of the War Memorial Building (Nobles County Library), 407 12th St., Worthington. The exhibit continues through October. Hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, phone 372-7245; or email noblearts@knology.net.

The opening reception for Strom’s exhibit, which he calls “D. Strom: The Search Never Ends,” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center, located on the lower level of the War Memorial Building (Nobles County Library), 407 12th St., Worthington. The exhibit continues through October. Hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, phone 372-7245; or email noblearts@knology.net.

This Coming Weekend - ENJOY A.R.T 2013!

Artwork © the following Artists - top row left to right -

Hank Hall, Marisa Sidles, Dennis Dykema, Diane Noll -

second row left to right - Judy Thompson, Roberta Williams, 

Joanne Alberda, third row left to right - Bruce Morrison, 

Karen Ruddy, Karess Knudtson - bottom row left to right - 

Linda Fries, Barb McGee, Ron Netten

The 2013 Artisans Road Trip is almost here!  This coming weekend will mark the 10th Anniversary of this Artist driven, Artist supported, and Artist created Open Studio and Gallery Event!

The scope of the 2013 Artisans Road Trip is diverse and wide...artists of all disciplines and regions.  Painters, and other two dimensional artists and photographers from the Great Lakes area, through the Spencer area, rural Hartley and down through Peterson and Storm Lake.  Potters, Sculptors and Wood Turners and other three dimensional artists from  Storm Lake, rural Linn Grove, Peterson, the Spencer area, and Great Lakes area to Estherville.

Go to the artists at the A.R.T. website to see where they are and what they do!  Take a day trip through the autumn countryside and see where they work and where they are displaying - make a weekend of it! 

The artists of the 2013 A.R.T. spend all year long working together and in their studios to make this a great event - we welcome you to our studios and galleries for a great time - hope to see on Saturday - October 5th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday - October 6th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.!!!
 

Pre-event 2013 Artisans Road Trip Exhibits!

A 2013 Sampling of Artists!

(All artwork © the following artists - upper left and clockwise -

Karen Ruddy, Mitch Eveleth, Joanne Alberda, David Strom,

Robert Ansorge, Danielle Clouse, and center - William Lieb)

Click on image for a larger view

The 2013 Artisans Road Trip is opening before the year long awaited event with two great exhibits at Arts on Grand in Spencer, Iowa and at the Pearson Lakes Art Center at Okoboji, Iowa this week!!!

The Artisans Road Trip exhibits at area/regional arts centers and galleries throughout the year, but this is the big A.R.T. push before the October 5 and 6th event this year.   

The Pearson Lakes Art Center and Arts on Grand exhibits will not only give a preview of what's in store for visitors to the studios and galleries during the Artisans Road Trip, but will embody a complete exhibit on their own!  Each exhibit will host an opening reception with many of the A.R.T. artists in attendance.  The Arts on Grand 2013 A.R.T. exhibit opening reception will be on Tuesday - September 24th at 5:00 through 7:00 p.m. and the Pearson Lakes Art Center will host their opening reception on Thursday September 26th from 5:00 through 7:00 p.m.

The Arts on Grand exhibition of the 2013 Artisans Road Trip will run through October 26th and the exhibition at the Pearson Lakes Art Center will run through December 7th.

Get a early look at what the 2013 Artisans Road Trip has in store - and enjoy the 10th Anniversary of this great area event soon! 

 

Artisans Road Trip Artist Mel Myers at the Octogon

Hand-carved Stoneware ©Mel Myers

2013 Artisans Road Trip artist Mel Myers will be exhibiting at the Octogon in Ames, Iowa on Sunday September 22nd and then will rev up for A.R.T. !

 

The Artisans Road Trip - a good time for the everyone to see the work of  a local potter who has received acclaim around the state and to buy ahead for Christmas, weddings, and birthday presents - as well as all the other artists exhibiting during the 2013 Artisans Road Trip weekend!

The 2013 Artisans Road Trip is FAST approaching (October 5th and 6th)!  Be sure and take in the best artists in NW Iowa during A.R.T.!  

For more information on the 2013 Artisans Road Trip, check out the A.R.T. web site at - http://www.artisansroadtrip.com/

2013 A.R.T. Artists at the Clay County Fair!

Artwork (upper left - clockwise) Perry Polson, 

Barb McGee and Diane Noll

If you're from NW Iowa or the region, you know that the Clay County Fair is here!  Touted as the "Greatest County Fair in the World", this fair has visitors from all over the country and world during its duration.

What's the 2013 Artisans Road Trip got to do with the Clay County Fair?  Well, as in many past years A.R.T. artists have had great representation at the fair in the "Art Barn".  This year 2013 Artisans Road Trip artists Barb McGee, Perry Polson and Diane Noll will once again be at the Art Barn at the fair where they will be working on their mediums of choice and maybe even a surprise or two!  And other artists will be present as well.

The Clay County Fair, located in Spencer, Iowa, runs from September 7th through 15th this year,  For hours and more information go to http://www.claycountyfair.com

Take a break in the day or week ahead and take in the Clay County Fair's Art Barn and the artists of the Artisans Road Trip!

2013 Artisans Road Trip Artist Barb McGee

"Resurrection!!!"

watercolor - ©Barb McGee

Every artist has their methods of working and dealing with the creative process each day.  Here we visit 2013 A.R.T. artist Barb McGee dealing with the daunting process of "revisiting" a painting she had set aside at some point in time - and come out with positive results!

"I was digging through a pile of old painting the other day and stumbled upon this one.  I call this pile my bone pile, you know when a painting just didn’t make me happy when I was done with it that is where it goes.  Well, for some reason I pulled this one out of the pile.  I took it to my painting table and tweaked on it for about two hours.  Most artists know what it means to tweak.  It means to go in and enhance some areas and maybe soften some others.  I this case I went in and deepened the color in the throat of the lily and deepened the blue gray shadows on the petals.  After I had finished the flowers I went to the background and totally reworked it.  Because the painting is watercolor I was rather surprised at how easy it was to move the dark green around.  I lifted some of the paint to form leaves and I blotted some of the areas so that it created a dappled look.  Now I have named the painting 'Resurrection!!!' because it was indeed resurrected from the bone pile. "

Thank you for visiting the artists of the 2013 Artisans Road Trip!  Time is beginning to draw near - its only 5 weeks before the A.R.T. weekend!  Be sure and put us in your autumn trip and weekend plans - the 10th Anniversary of the Artisans Road Trip! 

2013 A.R.T. Artist Glenda Drennen

Aqua media artist Glenda Drennen will show her work and demonstrate painting at A Piece of Work in Spirit Lake during the October 2013 Artisan Road Trip.  Drennen’s imaginative paintings are often interpretations of simple things, such as sharing a joke with friends over a cup of tea, or walking a dog. “I enjoy inventing a bit of humor related to otherwise ordinary events,” says Drennen, “such as a small dog that has hobbled his master with his leash. My paintings tend to evoke smiles.”

"Tea for One"

watercolor - ©Glenda Drennen

Tea for One is one of two of Drennen’s paintings accepted in the 36^th Annual Iowa Watercolor Society Juried Competition  to be held in Ankeny. The exhibition at the Ankeny Art Center will be open to the public Aug. 1 through Sept. 26. with an opening reception Aug. 1 from 5-7 p.m.  Drennen has a long history with IWS. She had her first painting accepted for competition in 1987 and earned signature membership in 1991. To date 19 of her paintings have been selected for the IWS competition.

 "Song Bird Series"

arylic painting  - ©Glenda Drennen

This week Drennen’s LeMars studio is filled with new paintings in her Songbird Series. These acrylic paintings are smaller than her usual watercolors, but every bit as imaginative. Three themes within this series are Birthday Birds, Sing Your Heart Out, and Singing Lessons. Each bird has very long legs, knobby knees, and often, striped stockings. Drennen will introduce several new songbird themes in this series during the A.R.T.

Drennen has been painting about 30 years, earning signature membership status in the Iowa Watercolor Society in 1992 and in the national Watercolor U.S.A., Springfield, MO in 2002.

In addition to preparation for A.R.T. 2013, she is currently creating 25-30 new paintings for a solo show at the University of Iowa Student Memorial Union in Ames in May/June 2014.  

Be sure to stop at A Piece of Work during A.R.T. 2013 to visit with Drennen and see her work.  At other times you can visit her in Watermark Studio in LeMars by appointment or access her website at www.glendadrennen.com

Stop by again for more on artists from the 2013 Artisans Road Trip!

2013 Artisans Road Trip Artist Linda Fries

 watercolor painting

©Linda Fries

This visit to the 2013 Artisans Road Trip posting brings us a few words of insight to the medium of watercolor from watercolor painter Linda Fries-

In music, relationships, and art it has always been the blend. That harmony of elements. The fun of it as it comes together to complete everything. 

Watercolor seems best mixed. Often as another tint is added to a color, even you are surprised as you did it. A mind of it's own. Never dull. We think we know what we want on that sheet of 300 wt unyielding space on the easel, then it changes plans, taking us into parts unknown. How can anyone not love the trip! We put the stroke there, yes and miss the mark too often, but watercolor even corrects that....for the most part....we hope.
 
I consider myself a painter, not an artist. Obviously it 's hard to take it seriously when it's this entertaining. Maybe some day. Maybe not.
 
The trees. Joyce Kilmer writes: ".....only God can make a tree.". Then I have to paint it.
 
- Linda Fries

Thank you Linda!  And thank you for stopping by, please check back again for more about artists from the 2013 Artisans Road Trip!

2013 Artisans Road Trip artist Judy Thompson's "Capturing America's Heartland"

artwork © Judy Thompson

2013 Artisans Road Trip artist Judy Thompson has a solo exhibit coming up very soon - "Capturing America's Heartland"! I'm posting the exhibit's poster here for all the pertinent information - don't miss the artist's reception on Tuesday, August 6 from 5 - 7:00 p.m.

For more information on Judy and her work, visit her web site at -

http://www.judythompsonwatercolors.com/home

Adult Clay with Hank Hall Continues in August

Creative summer fun is available at Art on 16^th in Olde Town Spirit Lake. 2013 Artisans Road Trip artist Hank Hall will offer another Adult Clay class on Fridays, August 9, 16, 23 and 30, from 1:00-3:00 pm. Participants will hand-build functional &/or sculptural forms using slabs and coils and personalize them with carvings, add-ons, and color. A few openings in clay classes for youth ages 9 and above are also available. 

A retired Iowa high school art teacher of 34 years, Hall holds a Masters degree in Art Education/Ceramics from the University of Northern Iowa. He also studied under renowned 20^th Century potter Marguerite Wildenhain at Pond Farm Pottery in Guerneville, California for two summers. He teaches art classes, produces his signature teapots and other mixed media work, and represents other area fine artists at Art on 16^th.

More information about classes and artists represented at Art on 16th is available at www.arton16th.com, shhall@mchsi.com or 712-330-6006. 

2013 Artisans Road Trip Artist Mel Myers

 Pottery Works ©Mel Myers

All artists of the 2013 Artisans Road Trip are finding themselves very busy this summer.  This week we are taking a look at 2013 A.R.T. artist Mel Myers of Spencer!

Don't 'Do Clay', let Mel Myers make pottery for you. Ames, Marshalltown, and Clear Lake have outdoor art shows coming up respectively the next three weekends and Mel (Clay County Clay) will sell pottery to new and returning customers.

"Returning customers like checking out my newest glazes. I have a new baby-blue glaze that people seem to like a lot." From warm to cool colors, his original glaze formulas offer something for everyone's taste.

Clay County Clay will be at Art in the Park in Okoboji on August 3rd. Mel also sells from his studio located at 717 11th Ave. East in Spencer.

Thank you for stopping by; check back again for artists of the 2013 Artisans Road trip!

2013 Artisans Road Trip Exhibit Kicks off Its Exhibition Season in June!

A sampling of artwork from the Witter Exhibition!

(All artwork © by the following artists from upper left and clockwise -

Karess Knudtson, Judy Thompson, Judy Hemphill, Glenda Drennan,

Marisa Sidles, Bruce Morrison, Linda Fries, Barb McGee, 

Timothy J Arand-McIlrath, Karen Ruddy)

The 2013 Artisans Road Trip is kicking off its exhibition season with a showing at the Witter Gallery in Storm Lake this month of June!  The exhibit will have many artists of the 2013 A.R.T., each exhibiting 2-5 pieces of work.  What a great time to get a sneak peak of what these artists have to show this year!

The exhibit opens on June 4th and runs through June 28th.  There will be an artists reception at the Witter Gallery on Thursday June 13th, 2013, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Stop by and talk to the artists about their works and enjoy the show!

2013 A.R.T. Artist Showing in Fremont, Nebraska

 "Prairie Schoolmates"

watercolor ©Judy Thompson

Judy Thompson is currently showing at Gallery 92 West in Fremont Nebraska from April 30th through May 26th.  This exhibition features her Homestead Series as well as additional related works.  

The Homestead Series was inspired during her 2010 artist residency at the Homestead National Monument in Beatrice, NE and has been traveling throughout the Midwest to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Homestead Act.

The artist's reception was Saturday, May 4th where the artist gave a short talk regarding the inspiration and process in creating this series.  Judy also shared her most recent artist-in-residence experience at Badlands National Park where she spent one month living on site, creating artwork and teaching local K-8 students.

Stop back again for more on the artists from the 2013 Artisans Road Trip!

2013 A.R.T. Artists in Iowa's Natural Heritage Exhibit!

A sampling of works and artists in Arts on Grand's

Iowa's Natural Heritage Exhibit!

All works © by each artist as follows - upper left/clock-wise - Katie Plucker, Joanne Alberda, Glenda Drennen, Bruce Morrison, Timothy J Arand-McIlrath, Karess Knudtson, Dennis Dykema, Judy Hemphill, and Judy Thompson (center).

"Iowa's Natural Heritage" will be on exhibit beginning this week at Arts on Grand in Spencer! The artists of the 2013 Artisans Road Trip are well represented by ten of their artists, juried into this new show.  They are: Judy Hemphill, Bruce Morrison, Katie Plucker, Perry Polson, Karess Knudtson, Dennis Dykema, Glenda Drennen, Judy Thompson, Timothy J. Arand-McIlrath, Joanne Alberda, and Beth Morris Cathcart.

This exhibit focuses on the "natural heritage of Iowa" - its flora, fauna and landscape. The exhibit consists of paintings, drawings, ceramics, photographs and mixed media works; both representational and interpretive works.

Come and celebrate Iowa's Natural Heritage through the eyes of artists from May 7 through June 1, 2013!

Better yet - come for the show's opening reception this Thursday May 9th from 5 - 7 p.m. and enjoy the view!

2013 A.R.T. Artist Showing at Remick Gallery in Windom, MN

2013 A.R.T. Artist David Strom

2013 Artisans Road Trip artist David Strom will be exhibiting at the Remick Gallery in Windom, MN.  This large exhibit will have over a hundred of Strom's works on view through September 7th of this year. The Remick Gallery show opens this Sunday, May 5th, with the opening reception from 2-4 p.m.

 

Be sure an stop by the gallery this Sunday or during the spring and summer in Windom!

David lives and works in  Windom, MN and can be contacted at his studio in Windom.

 

Learn more about David and other artists of the 2013 Artisans Road Trip at the 2013 A.R.T. website at - http://www.artisansroadtrip.com

2013 Artisans Road Trip Artist Bruce Morrison

The artist working on his latest painting - © Bruce A. Morrison

2013 Artisans Road Trip artist Bruce Morrison works from his rural Hartley studio, a former brooding house/sheep barn which they completely renovated in 2007.  Morrison is an artist of our regional natural heritage; the majority of his work depicts the landscape, and flora and fauna of our region.  "I like to work on the landscape in my 'neighborhood' - where I live and work.  Its great when people see a place they recognize; sometimes a place with a personal meaning or memories."

Morrison is a painter and photographer.  Many of his paintings rely on photographs Bruce has taken for refreferences to work from - such as with his painting "Murder Along Little Waterman" (seen working on above).  This particular painting depicts a small flock of Crows (called a "murder") gathering along a small stream-side pasture - an actual site just 2-3 miles north of his studio.  Bruce also paints on location, generally for studies to use for larger studio works at a later time.

But photography is important as a medium to its own for Morrison as well; landscapes, flora and fauna photography are all taken seriously as both artforms and for publication in books, magazines and calendars.

"Murder Along Little Waterman" - oil painting - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view) 

You can learn more about Bruce's work on his website at - http://www.morrisons-studio.com, and weekly to bi-weekly happenings from his studio blog at http://prairiepainter.blogspot.com.  Or even more often on Face Book at https://www.facebook.com/Bruce.Morrison.Artist

 

"Murder Along Little Waterman" and other works of Morrison's and other select artists of the 2013 Artisans Road Trip, will be showing at Arts on Grand in May for their upcoming exhibit "Iowa's Natural Heritage".  More on that in our next A.R.T. Blog - please check back!

 

 

2013 Artisan Road trip Artists Participate in Nobles County Art Center's April Annual Area Show

Artwork examples © (top left clockwise) David Strom, 

Timothy Arand-McIlrath, Hank Hall and Bill Lieb
(Click on image for a larger view)

Four Artisan Road Trip artists currently have artwork in the April Annual Area Art Show at the Nobles County Art Center in Worthington MN. Timothy Arand-McIlrath, Hank Hall, William Lieb, and David Strom are exhibiting work in the exhibition.

Bob Tieger was the juror and selected the awards. He is from Aberdeen SD, a former art instructor at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon. The exhibition opened April 7 and continues through the month of April.

Arand-McIlrath is exhibiting "Doilied",discharged screen printed fabic with crocheted yarn as well as two other mixed media pieces.  

Bill Lieb is exhibiting two sculptures. Space Maneuvers #4 was selected for the Honorable Mention award. The piece was cut from a single piece of steel, ground and polished, bent, patinated black, painted in spots with acrylic paint, and then waxed.

Hank Hall is represented with "Black on Black Teapot Triptych", which was selected for a Merit Award.

David Strom's "Winds and Bins", black acrylic paint, white craypas , corrugated paper and hi tec silver floral spray on a heavy 300 lb arches paper., was also selected for a Merit Award. 

(Examples illustrated above are examples of each artist's work - not necessarily what is currently on exhibit in this show)

Nobles County Art Center is located at 407 12th Street, Worthington, MN.b Contact the art center for more information at 507-372-8245 or by email at noblearts@knology.org .  The gallery is open weekdays 2:00-4:30.

Meet 2013 Artisans Road Trip Artist Roberta Williams

 "Evening Road"

© Roberta Williams

Roberta Williams moved to Spirit Lake from Iowa City in July 2012. After her sons left for college, she and her husband, Greg, felt this area seemed like a great place to settle as “empty-nesters.”

From Roberta’s education in art at the University of Iowa, to a painting/muraling class in Italy, to owning a decorative painting business, her extensive experience and skill level lend itself to a wide range of subject matter and painting styles, including “old-world“ religious paintings, realistic Iowa landscapes in pastel, and playful watercolor batiks.

"A Mother's Love"

© Roberta Williams

As a decorative painter, Roberta worked through interior designers and architects, adorning the walls of many private homes and commercial businesses in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and Des Moines. She worked with the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and the University of Iowa Museum of Art on several exhibits, including Grant Wood’s Studio in Cedar Rapids. During a large renovation project in Schaeffer Hall on the University of Iowa campus, she painted columns in a marble finish to match what had been done over 100 years ago by Italian craftsmen.

"French Flower market"

© Roberta Williams

Her work has been seen in several publications including Better Homes and Gardens Home Ideas (Jul/Aug 2001) and Better Homes and Gardens Walls and Windows Ideas (spring 1999). In 2000, she was accepted by jury to the Iowa Arts Council Roster as an approved artist for public work. Most recently, her Iowa landscape painting in pastel “Northwest Iowa Beans” won Best in Show at the October 2012 Pearson Lakes Art Center Wanda J. Skogerboe Juried Exhibition.

Stop by again to learn more about the artists of the 2013 Artisans Road Trip!

Meet 2013 Artisans Road Trip Artist Karen Ruddy

 

Artist Karen Ruddy

 100 foot Mosaic Wall teaching project (5th Grade)

 

I graduated from Doane College, Crete NB with a Fine Arts Degree in Art and Education in 1973 and due to my husband being relocated, I had to take advantage of what was available to me at the time and place - and that led to a Masters and Ph.D. in Library Science. Thus I secured positions as Library Director for library Consortiums, College Libraries, and taught Library Science online for my Alma Mater, Texas Woman’s University in Denton, TX.  For thirty six years I toiled in these positions and only occasional Christmas Cards allowed me to do what I loved best, create art. 

 

Bead Paintings - the artist like to combine media

© Karen Ruddy

 

In 2004, my husband, Victor, and I retired back home to Emmetsburg, Iowa and I relished producing Art in all it’s forms since that time. 

 

Mural - "Eleven Birds and a Butterfly (6X8')

 © Karen Ruddy

 

I try to decide what I love doing best, and I love doing ALL of it. Drawing, sculpting, pottery, ceramics, jewelry-making, printing, mosaics, murals, painting, teaching art, statuary reconstruction, all are my passion. 

Stop by again to visit more about the artists of the 2013 Artisans Road Trip!

 

2013 Artisans Road Trip Artist Judy Thompson

"Tallgrass Trek"

Watercolor Painting © Judy Thompson

 

Open prairies, wide skies and rugged vistas await local artist Judy Thompson.  Selected as an Artist-in-Residence with the National Park Service, Thompson will be setting up her studio on site at Badlands National Park, South Dakota, for four weeks this April. 

The Artist-in-Residence Program is a well established part of The National Park Service through the U.S. Department of Interior. Throughout our country’s history, artists have been asked to document and interpret our national parks, monuments and sites. The Artist-in-Residence program at Badlands National Park, was founded in 1966 and is open to all professional artists—writers, composers and all visual and performing artists.  The program’s goal is “to provide an avenue for artists to translate preservation of this place into images that evoke responses in those who may never visit Badlands National Park.” 

Thompson will be living for four weeks within the remote park setting.  Part of her residency will include the presentation of an interpretive art education program to students (K-8) at Interior Elementary School.  Most of her time, however, will be self directed in which Thompson will explore the relationships between man and his landscape in the context of the Western plains – specifically the Badlands ecosystem.  “By immersing myself in this unique, rugged landscape, I would like to create a body of work which captures the beauty and history of these rugged plains,” claims Thompson.

"Wide Open"

Watercolor Painting © Judy Thompson

Selection for the Badland’s Artist-in-Residence Program is based on artistic integrity, ability to reside in a remote rural area, willingness to donate a finished piece of work inspired during the stay, and the artist’s ability to relate to school age children.  A single residency is offered both in the spring and in the fall of each year.

Thompson was previously selected as Artist-in-Residence at the Homestead National Monument in Beatrice, Nebraska.  During her two week stay, she explored the stories of the first homesteaders who claimed land under the Homestead Act of 1862.  Her resulting Homestead Series is currently on tour in Nebraska to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of this monumental legislation. 

To learn more and to view her art, visit:  judythompsonwatercolors.com