The A.R.T. Blog

The Artisans Road Trip Blog will be making a move!!!  Stay tuned for a new Blog and a new location!

Thank you for supporting the Artisans Road Trip!

Hank Hall's Tin Bin Studio - Ready for the Roadtrip!

 Hank Hall, one of 33 artists participating in the 14^th Annual Artisans Road Trip in NW Iowa, invites you into his new workshop Tin Bin Studio on Oct. 14 and 15. 

"Fireworks" 

multimedia teapot - ©Hank Hall

Located behind his home at 15330 250^th Avenue, Spirit Lake, on East Lake Okoboji, the retrofitted grain bin houses Hank's clay studio and can be adapted for his drawing, painting, and mixed media processes.  

(Tongue-in-cheek) Hank high-fives a "visitor" in 

his studio after finishing painting a table area which 

he'll be demonstrating his artwork during 

the Artisans Road Trip!

A retired high school art teacher and former owner of Art on 16^th in Spirit Lake, Hall is pleased to unveil his new creative environment and demonstrate some of his art methods. 

After visiting Hall, road trippers are invited to go east about 1/2 a mile to see Bill Lieb's sculptures at his home at 15657 250th Avenue. 

 

2016 A.R.T. Now Showing at the Red Rock Center for the Arts!

Just a sampling of the artwork exhibited at the Red Rock

Center for the Arts in Fairmont, MN during the month of August -

top center (clockwise)  Timothy J. Arand-McIlrath, Hank Hall, Cherie Courter, 

Linda Fries and Haley Tardiff

(all artwork © property of respective artists)

The artists of the 2016 Artisans Road Trip are having an exhibit of recent works at the Red Rock Center for the Arts in Fairmont, Minnesota during the month of August!  This is one of several exhibits that A.R.T. has been featured in this spring and summer - each one unique.

 

This is the first time A.R.T. has shown at the Fairmont Red Rock Center for the Arts, and just the second time A.R.T. has had an exhibit in Minnesota!   An artist's reception is planned at the Red Rock Center for the Arts this coming Thursday - August 4th, from 5:30-7PM, and is open to the public.

 

Red Rock Center for the Arts is located at 222 Blue Earth Ave in Fairmont; they can be reached at (507) 235-9262 for more information, or visit their web site at www.redrockcenter.org.

 

 

2016 A.R.T. Artists at the 5th Annual Artist's Showcase in Orange City, IA!

 Artwork by 2016 A.R.T. artists (left - clockwise) Joanne Alberda, Judy Thompson, Timothy J. Arand-McIlrath and Pam Harp.  All images © property of the respective artist.

 

2016 Artisan Road Trip artists, Jo Alberda, Pam Harp, Tim Arand-McIlrath and Judy Thompson will be exhibiting artwork at the 5th Annual Artist's Showcase in Orange City, Iowa.

The Artist's Showcase is an art exhibit sponsored by Orange City Arts in conjunction with the Northwestern College art and theatre department. The Artists' Showcase: Orange City Arts Regional Exhibition offers an opportunity for artists to exhibit their work April 22-30, 2016 at the Northwestern College DeWitt Theatre Arts Center in Orange City IA, in conjunction with the production of Rabbit Hole. Regional artists (from Iowa or within a 350-mile radius of Orange City, IA) were invited to submit work to the juried exhibition. 

The Artist Reception will be from 6:00-7:00 pm. Saturday, April 30 before the final performance of The Rabbit Hole.  The art reception is open to the public.  Tickets for the Rabbit Hole can be reserved/purchased at:   boxoffice@nwciowa.edu

Artisans Road Trip Artists on Exhibit at Clear Lake Arts Center!

A sampling of artwork showing in the

January-February exhibit at the Clear Lake Arts Center

(upper left - clockwise - Bruce Morrison, Timothy J Arand-McIlrath, 

Barb McGee, Linda Fries, Cherie Courter, Judy Hemphill and Marisa Sidles.)

All artwork © the respective artists.

The Artisans Road Trip has its first exhibition of the year!  Showing at the Clear Lake Arts Center; the exhibit began last Friday on January 8 and runs until Saturday, February 13.

This exhibit is actually the final exhibition for the artists participating in the 2015 Artisans Road Trip - soon we will have the 2016 A.R.T. group organized and will be looking forward to the new exhibition schedule for 2016! 

This is what is unique for the Artisans Road Trip - there are events and exhibitions lasting throughout the entire year, so be sure and look for what's new with A.R.T. in the region!

Be sure and take in the Clear Lake Arts Center exhibit - a great respite to enjoy during the cold months of winter...warm up with some great art! 

Hope to see more of you in 2016! 

 

Happy New Year from the Artisans Road Trip - See You in 2016!!!

"Late Winter Afternoon - Woodland Edge"

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

Happy New Year from the artists of the Artisans Road Trip!  We'd like to take a moment to thank you for making 2015 a great year and for supporting your local artists of this region!

Look for the future artists of the 2016 A.R.T. in the months ahead - as well as future exhibits held throughout the year!

Our next art exhibit starts in just over a week at the Clear Lake Arts Center in Clear Lake, Iowa!  The image above is just one sample of what will be showing and available at the CLAC!  The exhibition will open on January 8th and run through February 15th of 2016.  If you're in the Clear Lake area be sure and not miss out!

Also, if you would like to participate through the 2016 year as an artist of the Artisans Road Trip - its not too late!  Just download the prospectus from the A.R.T. web site and send it in by January 15th!  Enjoy the benefits of year around exhibits in quality galleries and art centers, your own web page and weekly to semi weekly blogs for free P.R. as well as advertising and full color brochures for 2016 - what better way for a Happy New Year in the arts!  Visit the Artisans Road Trip web site for more information and contacts - http://www.artisansroadtrip.com/

Happy New Year!!!

Clear Lake Arts Center A.R.T. Exhibition!

Many people may not realize it but the artists of the Artisans Road Trip participate in fine art gallery exhibitions throughout the year.  Many such exhibits become area traditions and the Clear Lake Arts Center is one such noted venue. 

 

17 Artisans Road Trip artists are being represented in an outstanding exhibit at the Clear Lake Arts Center in Clear Lake, Iowa this month and next!  The artists involved in this year's exhibit are: Barb McGee; Beth Cathcart; Bill Lieb; Bruce Morrison; Linda Fries; Danielle Clouse; David Storm; Dennis Dykema; Glenda Drennen; Joanne Alberda; Joleen Dentlinger; Judy Hemphill;  Marisa Sidles; Mitch Eveleth; Perry Polson; Sue Biederman and Timothy J Arand-McIlrath.

Get a glimpse of the artwork by the top artists in NW Iowa at the CLAC from January 15 through February 28th!  Plan a road trip and enjoy some great works - call the CLAC at 641 357-1998 or e-mail clac@netins.net for more information! 

A.R.T. Artist Karess Knudtson

 Artist Karess Knudtson

News from an Artist of the 2012 Artisans Road Trip Karess Knudtson: I am pleased to have a solo art exhibit and sale the month of January at the Noble County Art Center in Worthington, MN!  Exhibit opening will be held this Sunday, January, 6th from 2 - 4 pm.  Come out and enjoy refreshments at the Noble County Art Center located at 407 12th Street in downtown Worthington, MN.

"Prairie Winds"

© Karess Knudtson

Please see the article below from the Worthington Daily Globe newspaper. 

http://www.dglobe.com/event/article/id/61970/

 

2012 Artsans Road Trip Artist Bill Lieb

In this 2012 A.R.T. blog we meet veteran Artisans Road Trip artisan Bill Lieb from Spirit Lake; here Bill speaks on his latest current work!

 "Last month we finished our newest public kinetic sculpture and temporarily installed it in our driveway to test its stability and action in heavy winds. The sculpture is titled "Wind Time, when time is controlled by the wind".  It is fourteen feet tall overall and weighs over eight hundred pounds. Its galvanized, pyramid-shaped base is ten feet tall and fabricated from one-half inch thick steel plate. The top three kinetic sections are made of re-purposed stainless steel. Each of these rotates and modulates in a seemingly haphazard manner in response to changing wind conditions. This can have a mesmerizing effect on the viewer. The permanent location for  "Wind Time" will be determined at a later date.

To watch "Wind Time, when time is controlled by the wind", click on the video below!

In the distant past we cruised on a small sailboat for five years. During that time we became intimately connected to the wind and experienced it's profound influence on our daily lives. Whatever we did at that time was done in concert with the wind. For me, in an abstract way, this sculpture depicts wind controlling time. Each person viewing the sculpture will undoubtedly make his own connections. "Wind Time" is the tenth public sculpture we have constructed and displayed over the past six years."

Thanks again for visiting news and views about artists of the 2012 Artisans Road Trip.  Be sure and check back for more from 2012 A.R.T.!

Off Season?

(Clock-wise from the left - Mari Stewart's mobile "Luminous Tear Drops",

"Out-of-the-box" drawing class with Hank Hall and "Art on a Card" exhibit 

at Arts on Grand in Spencer.

If there were an "off season" for the Artisans Road Trip you'd be hard pressed finding it!

A.R.T. artist Mari Stewart of the Side Street Gallery and Frame Shoppe in Arnolds Park, recently exhibited in the Rock Rapids Annual Art Show. The annual show is put together by the Rock Rapids Business Women and is in its 46th year.  Mari's mobile "Luminous Tear Drops" was awarded 1st place in the three dimensional division. 

On the teaching side of art - Hank Hall is holding his "Out-of-the-box Drawing Class", an adult drawing class that started November 2nd, Wednesday afternoons at Art on 16th in Olde Town Spirit Lake.  Classes run for four weeks.

And, as mentioned in the last A.R.T. blog - "Art on a Card" continues at Arts on Grand in Spencer. This exhibit features several A.R.T. artists and their select artwork is available as Christmas/Holiday Cards for purchase at Arts on Grand.  This fund raising event supports the arts in Spencer.  The exhibit (sponsored by Woolverton) runs through December 10th.

Watch for more from artists of the Artisans Road Trip!

The Real Fun of It!

"Summer Evening on Waterman"

© Bruce A. Morrison - oil on canvas

Thank you to everyone who took in the 2011 Artisans Road Trip weekend on 9/30/11 through 10/2/11!  It was a win-win for everyone out there!  The "road trippers" had a very nice weekend of things to do and see, and the artists received some support for their efforts, got to meet new people and had fun showing off their wares and works!

And I'm no exception - I really enjoy showing off the studio here along the Waterman Creek valley south of B40.  It's a beautiful scenic location and so many new visitors are very surprised its here and they never knew about it!  That's the real fun of A.R.T.! 

That's the case with all facets and artists of A.R.T. - there's a pleasant surprise around every corner!  Unique studios and galleries, one of a kind works and memorable travels around our beautiful corner of the state!

Thank you for supporting the Arts in NW Iowa!

2011 Artisans Road Trip Artist Hank Hall

Hank Hall working on a teapot in his studio

This 2011 Artisans Road Trip spot light is on Hank Hall!  Hank Hall, Spirit Lake native, invites you to stop during Artisans Road Trip at Art on 16th, his creative laboratory in the heart of the Iowa Great Lakes.

"Irrigating Nebraska"  

(drawing © Hank Hall)

Hall’s eclectic gallery plus studio is located on 16th Street across from the post office in Olde Town Spirit Lake! 

"Saturated Fat Friday"

(art work © Hank Hall)

Hall’s goal at Art on 16^th is to present remarkable art for sale by area artists and to offer quality art classes for students of all ages and levels.

It's just around the corner!  Be sure and take in the artists of the 2011 Artisans Road Trip Friday - September 30 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday - October 1st and 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day!

See you there!

Artist Call!

Have you thought about taking part in the biggest and most popular autumn art event in NW Iowa?!  Well now is your opportunity to apply for participation in the 2011 Artisans Road Trip!

This event is one where professional artists welcome the public into their studios to discover and purchase original works - the free tour includes many NW Iowa artists representing several NW Iowa counties.  The artists invite the public to travel Iowa's scenic byways and back roads to discover unique studios and work spaces and one-of-a-kind artwork treasures.

All participants undergo a jurying process by a regionally known, non-participating artist.  This process assures a high quality selection of participants for the event and encourages fresh work as well as inviting new artists to become a growing part of this fun event!

Become a part of this proven artistic experience!  Have your work shared and marketed through the A.R.T. Web Site, this very A.R.T. Blog, media advertising and the event tour brochure - all provided to you as a participant through A.R.T.!!!

If you have not received an invitation to apply, print out your own application from the A.R.T. Web Site homepage or call any of the A.R.T. participating board members at this link!

The deadline for applications to be received or postmarked is January 15th!  Don't delay - be a part of the 2011 Artisans Road Trip!

A.R.T. Spot Light - Judy Hemphill

"Clean Sweep" Photography © Judy Hemphill

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This Artisans Road Trip installment spot lights photographer Judy Hemphill.  Here Judy introduces us to her art form and interests.

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"Family, animals, nature, and travel are major interests of mine. They capture my time, and I capture them with my lens. I enjoy chronicling family, school, and community activities and celebrations. Also, beauty is all around. Each day I strive to take notice, to discover it in new forms and places. Storytelling images which engage other senses are a special goal. Photography allows me to share my observations from ground-level to aerials, close-ups to panoramas, mostly in color.

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"Chuck Wagon Race" Photography © Judy Hemphill

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A vast array of image possibilities are on the grounds of the Clay County Fair which this year runs Sat., Sept. 11 - Sun., the 19th.  Maybe I'll see you there!

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I do hope you'll visit my new gallery space in downtown Spencer at 217 Grand Avenue, especially during the 2010 Artisans Road Trip! 

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Make it a point to drop in on Judy and many of the other artists during the 2010 Artisans Road Trip coming soon!!! 

A.R.T. 2010 Exhibit Onto The Sanford Museum

Summer Daze by Anita Coon

The Artisans Road Trip will be exhibiting a sampling of it's 2010 artist's artwork at the Sanford Museum in Cherokee, Iowa.

Of The Earth (brownstone clay)

by Beth Cathcart

The exhibit begins August 1st and runs through the month.  Come see examples of works by artists of the Artisans Road Trip if you get a chance!

Photograph by Judy Hemphill

The Sanford Museum is located at 17 East Willow Street in Cherokee, Iowa.  To learn more about their hours and this exhibit, call 712 225-3922.

See you on the A.R.T. exhibition tour!

Potter Mel Myers

This 2010 Artisans Road Trip blog highlights Potter Mel Myers from Spencer.

Local Potter Mel Myers has been busy showing at the Iowa City Art Show and the Spencer Alumni Art Show at Arts on Grand in Spencer, Iowa.  

Mel's ceramics are hand thrown, delicately carved, with original glaze formulas - thus making truly one of a kind pieces.  The result is both a decorative and functional piece of art.  His high fire pottery can be used in the oven, safely used for food, and nicely cleans up in the dish washer.

Mel's studio is practically always open for visitors at 717 11th Avenue East in Spencer, Iowa.  His studio, Clay County Clay, can be found by turning east at the Hy Vee/Walgreen's corner on Grand Avenue, and going east as far as one can (and still be in Spencer).  Feel free to stop in and see Mel's most recent work!

Check back again and see what's new on the 2010 Artisans Road Trip!

Perry Polson - Featured A.R.T. Artisan

Kristen's Ash by Perry Polson

Near the south end of Grand Avenue (north of the river) in Spencer Iowa, you'll find Perry Polson hard at it in his studio - Wild Wood Gallery & Turning Lab. Perry is an artist of wood...he takes wood and creates some amazing things with it in his turning lab!

Here is a short excerpt from Perry working on a project. Perry had run into a piece of elm that included some surprises and took some persistence...

barbed wire - who knew?!

2 fencing staple as well!

But finely finished - after the battle!

"After a bit of a head scratching its finely done and is a very dramatic piece and being Elm its hard as a dickens let alone the (STEEL REINFORCEMENT) Ha Ha ! And after all that the sale fell through due to some over sight of my own of course . But as they say live and learn so I'm not planning on letting that happen again any time soon. I only hope that someone else finds it to be a piece that they can't live without!

Looks pretty amazing to me, Perry!

Stop by again and meet the artists of the 2010 Artisans Road Trip!

A.R.T. at the LeMars Art Center in May

"Prairie River Summer"
oil painting by Bruce Morrison
-one example of many works to be exhibited during the month of May

Artists of the Artisans Road Trip will be exhibiting their works at the Le Mars Art Center through the month of May!

Get a sneak peek at what the A.R.T. artists are up to and enjoy the best of art in NW Iowa!

The art Center is at 200 Central Avenue, for those who have not visited the center before. The exhibit will be running from May 1st through 30th, and you can call the art center at 712-546-7476 to inquire as to hours the center is open.

Anita Baedke-Plucker - "A Time to Create"

"One With Nature"
(watercolor)

This week's Artisans Road Trip featured artist is Anita (Katie) Baedke-Plucker from Terril, Iowa. Katie is speaking to a subject all artists struggle for and with - "a time to create".

Katie -
I hear so often of the frustration and disappointment of people, mostly women, who want to spend more time on/at their art. However, the reality and responsibilities of everyday life get in the way. I have and will probably continue to experience those same frustrations myself. I can only speak as to my experience: first, I remember saying to myself, “if I only had a day to paint.” I have realized that I can get a lot of watercolor painting done in 30 minutes! If that is the fragment of time you have, take it! Make the most of it. Stay connected with the piece. Last year I did not plan my annual 'Arts Adventure'; no workshops or classes, no exhibits; and no 'art-in-the-parks'. My goal was to sort through, organize, and clean 60 years of 'treasures' on the family farm, hoping that time, Mom and Dad would move to an assisted living villa. Most of my time was spent out on the farm. However, 2009 was probably one of my most productive years in producing art and releasing prints. I took advantage of those fragments of time. I knew that is all I had. Plus, I could not afford a negative attitude about all of this and making excuses. I found myself repeating over and over to myself in my mind, "I have plenty of time to get everything done." The mind is very powerful.

Second: If you have to get your art supplies out of the closet in order to paint, you probably won’t. And you will use up valuable limited time in the preparation and the putting-away. Find an area or a room where you can work and leave you supplies and
materials out, if it’s only a card table in a corner somewhere. When my sons were babies and toddlers, I was a stay-at-home mom plus took care of three other children, as well. I had a space in the corner of my kitchen (I will admit it was a very large kitchen.) and “while the macaroni was cooking” I was in the corner either analyzing work or painting a few strokes of watercolor. I had and have a terrific thirst, a need to create, and found a way, if only for a few minutes. Sooooooo get that space ready. I really believe this to be true, “If you want something bad enough, you will find a way; if not, you will find an excuse.” Become aware of the roadblocks we can throw up to prevent ourselves from getting what we desire.

"Land of Plenty"
(watercolor)

And...if you are working ‘large’, having small fragments of time here and there to complete a large piece alone can be frustrating and overwhelming and make you feel defeated. You may lose that initial energy and excitement which led you to begin the work. Perhaps work in a smaller format??? a smaller size??? I know many artists who would argue that idea with me. Very simply, do the math. I recently read of an artist who paints one painting per day and posts it on her website each day for sale. One painting every day! They are small, I think they were 6”x6”, but 365 per year and she was working, painting every day. That alone, must be fulfilling.

"Lakeside Laboratory - Shimek Lab"
(watercolor)

Also, I believe there is a “season” for the chapters in your life – caring and nurturing your children, employment to financially support the family, caring for an ill/disabled spouse, parent or child, etc. Often these chapters will require almost all of your time and commitment. And that is the way it is supposed to be. The season for your art will come. Knowing that and accepting that will lessen the frustration and deliver a certain amount of peace as you turn the pages of those chapters.

Another battle can be the idea that people do not take artists seriously. Our need to create is seen as a hobby, a fun way to spend time or a waste of time. If you have people around you who feel that way about your art, that can be a huge difficult obstacle. My heart goes out to you. My art is a real need. “I just gotta make me something.” And I am the happiest when I have taken any opportunity to create. I am reminded it is the process that is the most enjoyable part in creating. Robert Henri wrote, "Museums of art will not make a country an art country. But where there is the art spirit there will be precious works to fill museums. Better still, there will be the happiness that is in the making."

Remember to stop back from time to time for another glimpse at the artists from the Artisans Road Trip!

Those Dreaded Comissions

"Hot Rodder"
(watercolor)

This Artisans Road Trip blog features Barb McGee, a painter whose studio is located in the Ridge and Tallgrass region of A.R.T. - in Peterson, Iowa. Barb's favored mediums are watercolor and oil, and her subject matter is generally western in theme, and (although not limited to) equine.

"Megan's Painting"

(watercolor)

Barb is speaking today on her views of commissioned works:

"There are two sides to every issue and the same is true of commissions. Almost every artist I know hates to do commissions and they growl the whole time they are doing them. Because of the type of work that I do, it seems that I am blessed with a number of them. I have devised a plan that sometimes works well for me and my client. If it is at all possible, I will go and take my own photographs of the subject. I will usually take twenty or thirty shots and then all we have to do is download to their computer and choose which one we want to use for the painting. This method gives both of us input into the painting but allows me to feel like it is my own creation.

Kathy's Folks
(watercolor)

On the other side of the coin are the commissions that drive us all wild AUGH !!! Here are three different pictures of my dad's dead horses can you do a painting of them??? Of course all of the snapshots are from 20 ft away and none are really what you would call attractive and one of them is turned in the opposite direction, what do you do then? PUNT, IMPROVISE, then I praise God that when it is done, they will come and get it and give me a check. It won't be collecting dust in the gallery for the rest of my natural life. Yeah for commissions?????"

"Alexis Foot"
(watercolor)

You can see more of Barb McGee's artwork on her art websites - McGee Gallery & Framing, and Horses by McGee.

Stop back on occasion and see what the artisans of A.R.T. are up to, their thought process, or typical day in the studio or in the field!