2014 Artisans Road Trip Artists and "Art on a Card" Exhibit!

 

Artwork such as these can be found at the "Art on a Card" exhibit

at Arts on Grand! Images - top left clockwise - "Poinsettia" - watercolor - ©Anita K Plucker, "From My Window - Winter" - watercolor - ©Anita K Plucker, "Winter Hay Rake" - photograph - ©Bruce A. Morrison, and "Winter Along the Little Sioux" - color pencil drawing - ©Bruce A. Morrison

 

Four of the artists from the 2014 Artisans Road Trip will be featured in the upcoming "Art on a Card" exhibit at Arts on Grand in Spencer, Iowa in December! Exhibiting with other juried artists are Anita K. Plucker, Glenda Drennen, Joleen Dentlinger, and Bruce Morrison.

Arts on Grand invited artists to submit a winter theme image from which they then  feature as a printed card for purchasing - from each artist.  During the "Art on a Card" exhibit, the participating artists also exhibit other works on a winter or seasonal theme for the Christmas season.

"Art on a Card" will run from December 1st through 31st at Arts on Grand.  There will be an artist reception on Thursday December 4 from 5-7pm - the reception is open to the public.

Take in "Art on a Card" if you get a chance, and get into the Holiday Spirit!

Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving out there!

Prairie Painter - Painting from Studies

 "September Dawn, Little Sioux River"

oil painting - © Bruce A. Morrison

"Prairie Painter" is the handle I use for my business blog - http://prairiepainter.blogspot.com - I think it fits since I do paint the prairie out here :) My business is art, and my artwork is painting, drawing and photography. I've been a member of the Artisans Road Trip since the very first one back in 2004...I did take a year off while building our studio here in SE O'Brien County, but have been a constant supporting member and participant.

We've been introducing members and talking about exhibits for the 2012 A.R.T. and I thought I'd change things up a little and describe my painting process when working from painted "studies", in this case a small oil painting started on location, then finished in the studio. These small "studies" are often used as a platform to work from, to paint a larger finished work in the studio.

The painting shown here is actually from a plein air study I did not too terribly far from the studio about 3 years back. The piece was started outside on the site, but had to be finished that day in the studio because the conditions changed so quickly. The study can be seen and read about from that original blog from September 17, 2009 - http://prairiepainter.blogspot.com/2009/...

Plein air studies are a natural step for a painter...first you do small color studies (paintings) on location, and these serve as guides for further work in a larger "finished" painting - done later in the studio.

I sold the original plein air study of this painting just a couple months after I did it in 2009 so I had to work from an image file I scanned of the original 6X8" plein air study. That still worked just fine...I wasn't trying to laboriously duplicate the small original, but instead work off of the "impression" the original piece offered as far as lighting, color and composition. The finished piece is unmistakably done from the original, yet is more refined to reflect my interpretation of that morning...the fog or haze rising off of the river as the early morning, late summer sun, breaks through the atmosphere upstream.

You can see other work I've done at my studio's web site -
http://www.morrisons-studio.com

Thank you for visiting our Artisans Road Trip blog during the year - be sure and check back for more artists of the 2012 Artisans Road Trip!

A.R.T. at Clear Lake and More!

The 2011 Artisans Road trip artists are exhibiting at the Clear Lake Art Center in Clear Lake, IA now though January 10th, 2012.  Not ones to let moss grow under their feet, the Artisans Road Trip participants keep their work out there for the public to see and enjoy all year around!  If your heading east or have friends and family in the Clear Lake area, let them know you have an area treasure there for them to enjoy too!

The Clear Lakes Art Center is a fairly new facility, one to not miss if you have the opportunity.  It is located at 17 South 4th Street, Clear Lake, IA 50428 | 641-357-1998 | and its hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10AM - 5PM.

Another great opportunity to see work by A.R.T. artists is at the Holiday Open House being held this Saturday - December 3rd!  A.R.T. artists Beth Cathcart, Linda Fries, Diane and Wendell King, Barb McGee and Bruce Morrison will be showing at this Peterson area event along with other artists!

Not doing anything Saturday?!  Come on down to Peterson and enjoy the chance to see what's new and even pick up something actually made in the good old USA! (And right here in our own backyard to boot!)  There will be goodies and a good time to be had by all!

Artists will be at the Linda Fries Studio, Barb McGee's Gallery and at the Rocking M Pottery studio.

To find these simply click on this link -

http://www.artisansroadtrip.com/Ridge%20and%20Tallgrass.htm

On the A.R.T. map there click on the #19, 20 and 21 spots and you'll be taken to each locale for address, phone number and driving instructions!

The Holiday Open House runs from 9:00 a.m. through 6 p.m. on Saturday December 3rd!  We hope to see you there!!!

"From the Tallgrass"

"Prairie Cantabile" Painted Violin

(casein on applied canvas - © Bruce A. Morrison)

2011 Artisans Road Trip Artist Bruce Morrison has opened his "From the Tallgrass" exhibit at Arts on Grand in Spencer, Iowa!  "From the Tallgrass" is an exhibition of paintings, drawings and photography celebrating our natural "and" cultural heritage of the tallgrass prairie.

"Summer Along Angler's Bay"

(color pencil - © Bruce A. Morrison)

This heritage is a constant focus in the art work of Bruce Morrison.  Whether it depicts the landscape of the tallgrass prairie region, or its flora and fauna; “From the Tallgrass” is the road traveled the past couple decades for the artist.  And if you were to spend any time with him, it would appear this will continue indefinitely as a chosen path.  “I couldn’t think of a more suitable focus and recurrent theme for my work.”, says Morrison.

"Negus's Bales"

(oil on canvas - © Bruce A. Morrison)

The artist follows his interest and focus in his daily life as well; living on a small piece of prairie remnant; he and his wife, Georgeann, have worked to bring back the native habitat through careful stewardship of their prairie home.  You can follow Bruce through his prairie journey each week on his blog - "Prairie Hill Farm Studio", or learn more about the tallgrass prairie on his "A Tallgrass Journal" blog (which had previously run as a web subscription journal since 2002) or subscribe to his e-mail Studio Newsletter for more information as well.

"American Goldfinch - male"

(photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison)

"From the Tallgrass" will run from August 16 through September 25.  There will be an Artist's Reception on Thursday, August 25th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - the public is welcome!

Thank you for visiting the 2011 Artisans Road Trip Blog!  Be sure and check back again soon for more from the upcoming Artisans Road Trip and its artists!!!

Artisans Road Trip Artist Spotlight - Bruce Morrison - Artist

"Sunrise on Negus's Bales"

12x20" - oil painting on mounted canvas

© Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view)

This spring we're kicking off with some Artisan's Road Trip artist spotlights!  What is a typical artist of the A.R.T. like?  Is there even what could be called a "typical artist"???  Of course not!  So be sure and check back to learn about those participating in the 2011 Artisans Road Trip in the weeks/months ahead.

This spot light is on Painter/Photographer/Print Maker - Bruce Morrison from rural NW Iowa.  Bruce is an artist of the Tallgrass Prairie.  He and his wife Georgeann live on a small Tallgrass Prairie remnant where he works as a full-time artist throughout the year.  

 Morrison's Studio and Gallery at Prairie Hill Farm

Bruce and his wife built a permanent studio from the frame and foundation of a 1920's/30's brooding house (big chicken coup), doing the majority of the work themselves. You can actually follow Bruce and Georgeann through this whole process by going to his Prairie Hill Farm Studio blog - start at -

http://prairiepainter.blogspot.com/2007/10/studiogallery-work-begins-again.html - back in the fall of 2007 when the major construction started!  This building's purpose was changed to raise sheep in the mid 1950's and had over 100 head of sheep at it's peak use in the early 1990's!  He and Georgie like to say it took a few years to clean it out before they could even start re-building!

Liatris punctata - "Dotted Liatris"

from the prairie remnant at

Prairie Hill Farm

Photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view)

Bruce takes his inspiration from the Tallgrass itself and the natural and cultural heritage of the tallgrass prairie region. The natural heritage ranges from the tallgrass to the prairie pothole wetlands of the region...and painting or photographing (or both) the flora and fauna there.  The cultural heritage of the "neighborhood" in which he and Georgeann live is rich in history and agriculture.  The oldest known "remaining" agricultural plot in the state of Iowa lies just 3 miles from Morrison's studio.  It dates back to around 900-1000 A.D.!  The "Millcreek" culture flourished in the Waterman Creek valley on which Morrison's studio perches.  There are more than 80 known archeological sites in Bruce's corner of O'Brien county - "This lends a special meaning to the landscape here, and feeds an emotional response to what I paint, draw or photograph.", says Morrison.

"Waterman's Mouth - Summer"

5X7" - color pencil rendering

© Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view)

Bruce's color pencil rendering of "Waterman's Mouth - Summer" is an example of how he records and respects the heritage of the "neighborhood" in which he lives and loves.  This drawing presents the place where the Waterman flows into the Little Sioux River, downstream from the Prairie Hill Farm Studio...presenting a metaphorical doorway to the ancient lives and livelihood of the "first" Americans who walked and lived in the valley there.  Now Waterman Creek flows through the pastures and cropland of agricultural farms as well as remnants of the once great Tallgrass Prairie.

Bruce has been working on a body of work the past couple years - on a theme of "From the Tallgrass", a title taken from his book published in April of 2009.  These works will be presented in a one man show at Arts on Grand in Spencer, Iowa this coming August.  The works will include studio and plein air oil paintings, drawings, and photographs from the tallgrass prairie.

Remember - artists of the Artisans Road Trip are open to visitors all year long!  You need not wait till the A.R.T event this fall to see these hard working folks.  Bruce's studio is no exception and is open all year long, but on a staggered basis - "I'm often out chasing clouds and the landscape or knee deep in the prairie, so it's always a good idea to call before making a trip out solely to see the studio and gallery!", says Bruce.  "But the countryside is so pretty to drive through here, that you won't waste the trip if I'm not home!", assures Morrison.  (Bruce's phone - 712 728-2199)

"July in the Valley" - the actual valley view from the artist's studio

6X8"" - plein air oil painting

© Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view)

Morrison's Studio at Prairie Hill farm is a lovely spot to visit any time of year but especially wonderful when the prairie remnant on he and Georgeann's place is in bloom, or even fall color!  Bruce loves to take visitors for a free prairie walk and tour on their prairie's mowed paths (and off).  Morrison has been involved in prairie education and restoration for well over a decade now, having started or consulted for prairie restoration/reconstruction for colleges and private individuals in the region.

You can learn more about Bruce and his work - as well as all other artists from A.R.T 2011 by visiting their links on this A.R.T. Blog's side bar.  Bruce's blog is in it's 4th year, and his Tallgrass Journal just switched to a blog format after running as a web based journal since 2002!  Want to learn even more and have a bi-weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox?!!  Subscribe to Bruce's Morrison's Studio Newsletter!!!  Be sure and visit Bruce's web site at http://www.morrisons-studio.com for a sampling of his work or even to make secure purchases online!

Check back again to learn more about the artists of the 2011 Artisans Road Trip!

September!

"Prairie Autumn Stream No.2"

(color pencil  © Bruce A. Morrison)
click on image to enlarge 

Wow!  It's September, summer is winding down, and the Artisans Road Trip is looming closer on the horizon!

What are we, as artists, doing in preparation for this?!  Well, in my case panicking!  Ha!  Just kidding!  Well, sorta anyway...there is still much to be done here at the Prairie Hill Farm Studio and I'm still out there chasing the light with both brush and camera.  And we've been working in the gallery to arrange new displays with new pieces and doing last minute framing work as well.

"Chasing the Green Flash"

(sculpture  © Bill Lieb)
click on image to enlarge 

But I'm no different from other A.R.T. artists, we're all working full speed ahead!  Sculptor Bill Lieb is preparing, not only for A.R.T. 2010, but also an exhibit at the Pearson Lakes Art Center in October.  The piece shown here is titled 'Chasing the Green Flash'. It refers to the pursuit of seeing a green flash the moment the sun sets on the ocean.....a favorite pastime while he and Jane sailed and lived on their sailboat for five years.

 Perry Polson at work in his lab
click on image to enlarge 

Perry Polson, at his Wild Wood Gallery & Turning Lab, has just come off a good August receiving an exhibit award of $500 for the Spencer Iowa Main Street Market.  He was also awarded the $100 people's exhibit award during the event as well!

All the other artists on the road trip are preparing their studios or sites for the autumn weekend too!  What a great time of year to get out and enjoy that fresh crisp air...a great change from the hot sticky summer weather we've all been contending with this year!

Be sure and put October 1st, 2nd and 3rd on your calendars for the Artisans Road Trip!