Artisans Road Trip Preparing for 2017 - Call for Artists!

The Artisans Road Trip is now busy preparing for 2017.  Each year A.R.T. opens the organization and "event" up to artists of the region for the next season!  Each year the Artisans Road Trip consists of many events throughout the entire year - scheduled exhibits and the noted Autumn weekend event itself.  Also, member artists are spotlighted weekly for their personal exhibits and artwork through the year, as well as having their own web page for exposure to the public.

A Call for Artists!  Are you, or an artist you may know, interested in taking part in the 2017 Artisans Road Trip?  The Prospectus for the 2017 A.R.T. is now available for downloading and applying to become a part of the 2017 organization and events!  Simply go to the Artisans Road Trip web site (http://www.artisansroadtrip.com/) and scroll down to the Prospectus notice!  Or go directly to the Prospectus right HERE and fill it out and send it in for consideration!  The application fee is completely refundable to anyone who is not accepted for this coming year.

Be a part of a highly regarded group of regional artists and show throughout the year in area exhibits plus the big autumn weekend event!  Make 2017 YOUR Year!


 

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!

Artisans Road Trip Artist Hank Hall

Hank Hall

This A.R.T. highlight introduces Hank Hall!

Hank Hall is a full-time artist in Olde Town Spirit Lake where he has renovated a 1948 wood-working shop into an art studio and gallery called Art on 16th. He taught middle school and high school art in Iowa for 34 years and continues to teach clay, painting, drawing, and sculpture classes in his studio. He is very proud of the fact that many of his students have studied art in prestigious art institutions and pursued art-related careers.

Celebrating Clay Cone 6 Stoneware

Hank’s creative skills were shaped early in his career by two summers of intensive training at Pond Farm Pottery in Guerneville, CA with Marguerite Wildenhain. A Bauhaus-trained master potter considered to be one of the ten most significant clay artists of the 20^th Century, Wildenhain demanded high quality craftsmanship and then encouraged him to develop his own signature work.

Dotted Teapot

Today Hank creates one-of-a-kind teapots with mixed media embellishments and other functional and sculptural forms. His artistic goal is satisfying his own esthetic sense of what makes for an entertaining, inventive, and personal form. “If others experience a creative kick, then I think that’s as good as it gets.”

Hank’s artwork has been exhibited nationally, and he has earned several best of shows in recent juried art exhibits.

For more information visit www.hankhallarton16th.com.

Check back again for more on events, activities and artisans of the 2010 Artisans Road Trip!

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!

Destination ART!

Autumn during A.R.T. is sublime!
(photo from the Ridge & Tallgrass region of the tour)

The Artisans Road Trip is a destination driven tour, and the fall is a beautiful time of the year to have destination choices this good!

The regions for A.R.T. are broken into 4 regions: Iowa Great Lakes, Prairie Wetlands, Ridge & Tallgrass Prairie (personal favorite :), and Beautiful View.

Iowa Great Lakes, of course, entails both East and West Okoboji and Spirit Lake and the immediate areas nearby. The Prairie Wetlands comprise a band of region south, east and west of the lakes with Spencer being the unofficial hub. The Ridge & Tallgrass Prairie region is that wonderful undulation of hills and valleys south and west of the wetlands. And the Beautiful View is the southern most region with Storm Lake as the hub.

For a wonderful outing, great art, and an awesome destination - put the Artisans Road Trip down for your trip itinerary next Autumn!