2016 A.R.T. Artists Showing at Summerwind Gallery's "Farm and Field"!

 

Three of the four artists from the 2016 Artisans Road Trip at the Summerwind Gallery's "Farm and Field".   Upper left - clockwise as follows: Anita K. Plucker, Judy Thompson and Bruce Morrison.

(All artwork copyright property of the respective artists.)

The Summerwind Gallery in Arnolds Park, Iowa will be featuring a showing of several artists  - four of which are artists from the 2016 Artisans Road Trip!  The showing titled "Farm and Field" opens on Tuesday June 1st and runs through June 15.

Featured Artisans Road Trip artists include Anita K. Plucker, Bruce Morrison, Judy Thompson  and Roberta Williams.  Other artists are showing as well.

The Summerwind Gallery, owned and operated by artist Roberta Williams, carries artwork from across Iowa and is a unique addition to the Iowa Great Lakes - a "must see" destination!

To see top professional artwork of the region and state - be sure and take in this wonderful showing!  The gallery is located at 28 Allen Avenue in Arnolds Park, Iowa (the former location of Side Street Art and Framing).  
Gallery hours are Monday - Saturday 11-7 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m. Find more information by contacting the Summerwind via phone at 712 332-5906 or check it out on the web at - www.summerwindgallery.com!

2016 A.R.T. Artist Judy Thompson's Badlands Watercolor Workshop!

Artwork - © - Judy Thompson

Throughout the year many artists participating in the Artisans Road Trip, offer classes or workshops in their areas of expertise.  We're going to try and advertise these opportunities for the public and other artists as best we can this season, and one we just recently learned of looks like a great deal of fun - out in the Badlands of South Dakota with Judy Thompson!

Judy was invited to Badlands National Park in 2013 as an artist in residence to paint the landscape and she has returned every year since.  She is inviting everyone to share this beautiful Dakota country with her and practice and learn watercolor techniques at her watercolor workshop based at the Circle View Guest Ranch, just outside Interior, SD and minutes away from Badlands National Park!

The Badlands Workshop isn't until May (May 13-16, 2016) but the registration deadline is April 20th - and if you register before March 31st you'll get a $50 discount!

For more information on Judy Thompson's Badlands Workshop - contact Judy at  

29judyt@gmail.com 

or visit her web site at 

 http://www.judythompsonwatercolors.com/badlands-workshop.html#.VvBIB3rO65I

Get in on great instruction and a great time!

Be sure and check back again for more from the 2016 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

 

2012 Artsans Road Trip Artist Judy Thompson

 "Distant Harvest"

watercolor - © Judy Thompson

 

Today we get to meet another artist from the 2012 Artisans Road Trip - Judy Thompson.  This will be Judy's first year participating in A.R.T.; she will be exhibiting at the Pearson Lakes Art Center during A.R.T. this fall.  Welcome Judy!

Artist Judy Thompson celebrates the prairie through her Homestead Series.

"Taking Root"

watercolor - © Judy Thompson

 Inspired by an artist's residency at the Homestead National Monument in Beatrice, NE, Judy Thompson has created a series of 12 watercolor paintings depicting the fabric of the land and the people during this revolutionary time in history.

"When I arrived at the Homestead National Monument and stepped out of the car, I was struck with the vast, empty landscape that spread before me.  At first, a sense of panic came over me since there was only a long flat horizon line wherever I looked."  Fortunately, after two weeks of sketching the native tallgrass prairie, reading the journals of homesteaders and researching photos at the Nebraska State Historical society, inspiration started to flow.   "I wanted to capture the pioneering spirit of these pioneers and how their efforts changed the landscape of the Midwest forever.

"Trails End"

watercolor © Judy Thompson

The Homestead Series will be on tour throughout 2012 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Homestead Act by President Abraham Lincoln as follows:

January-February:  Pearson Lakes Art Center, Okoboji, IA

March:  The Great Plains Museum, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

April-July:  The Cultural Heritage Center, Pierre, SD

October - March, 2013:  The Homestead National Monument, Beatrice, NE

In addition to the exhibition, Judy will present an electronic poster at the Great Plains Symposium on March 29th, 2012 which describes her process and inspiration.  See link:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuCJebSAFjc&feature=youtu.be

Be sure and stop back again for more great artists of the 2012 Artisans Road Trip!