"COWGIRLS" Exhibit Coming to Arts on Grand!

The Cowgirls are coming!!!  Carol Herdin, Mona Majorowicz and Barbara McGee have been talking about putting this show together for several years and it is finally ready to hang at Arts on Grand in Spence, Iowa.  Barb is a member of the 2015 Artisans Road Trip!

 oil painting - ©Barb McGee

  watercolor painting - ©Barb McGee

These two paintings were completed by Barbara McGee in the last month, and Barb gives us a little insight and look into the process she used working on these two paintings - one is oil and one watercolor but they were both painted with only three colors, blue, red and yellow plus white for the oil painting.  This was an interesting exercise, in which McGee learned that there is a limitless number of colors that can be created from these three colors.  The oil painting was started first, it is a very tight, precise panting that required a large range of colors and values. She was surprised to find out that almost every color mixed required varying amounts of all three of the colors plus white for the lighter values.  The watercolor was started on a Wednesday in August and was framed and hung on the wall the next day.  It didn't turn out at all as she had intended but when it was done she was happy.  The watercolors were mixed in the same way as the oils except that no white is required because the paper works as the white.  After doing two full paintings in this manner McGee is taken with the simplicity of working with fewer colors.  

The exhibit runs from September 1 through 26th with the opening reception on Thursday September 3rd from 5:30 to 8:00.  The reception is free and open to the public - come meet the artists and take in this fun show!

2012 A.R.T. Artist Dennis Dykema!

"Spring's Promise"

oil painting - © Dennis Dykema

(click on image for a larger view)

Spirit Lake artist Dennis Dykema just had a solo exhibit open at Arts on Grand in Spencer, Iowa on April 10th.  Last night (April 12th) Arts on Grand held a reception for his exhibit "Recent Paintings" and I must say - please don't let this one get by you!  What a great exhibit!

Since his 2006 move from Storm Lake, Dennis has worked from his second-floor studio located at 1720 Hill Ave. in downtown Spirit Lake, Iowa.  His Spirit Lake studio is also where he exhibits from during the yearly Artisans Road Trip, the first weekend in October.

"So Much to Remember II"

oil painting - © Dennis Dykema

(click on image for a larger view)

Dykema is clearly inspired by the landscape in the region he lives and works.  His paintings are a rich experience in color, tonal value, line and composition...with remarkable brush work that leaves an emotive sense of presence!  Be sure and take in Dykema's exhibit this month and next if you get a chance - it runs through May 12th!

The Artisans Road Trip is proud to claim Dennis Dykema and all our other wonderful artists for 2012 - don't miss out!

2011 Artisans Road Trip Artist - Dennis Dykema

 "Wind Through the Grass"

oil painting © Dennis Dykema

Out Artisans Road Trip artist spot light this week is on Spirit Lake painter Dennis Dykema.  Dennis studied art at Morningside College and the University of Northern Iowa from which he earned a Master’s Degree.  He taught art in the public schools and for 31 years at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, retiring in 2001 to paint full time.  In 2006 he and his wife moved to Spirit Lake where he established a downtown second-floor studio at 1720 Hill Avenue. 

 "A Stream Runs Through It"

oil painting © Dennis Dykema

“I’ve been fascinated with the landscape for a long time and have come to recognize it as the most prevailing aspect of my environment.  In recent years I have begun to explore the landscape subject as it is affected by changing conditions of light and shadow.  At the time of day when these are most evident the subtle interplay of texture and surface, intersect with compositional structure of the subject to make, in my mind at least, a complete experience."

 "Marshland Song vs.2"

oil painting © Dennis Dykema

"Since my move to Spirit Lake I have discovered that the abundant prairie and wetland area comprising the watershed for the Iowa Great Lakes is a rich subject resource for my recent work. While inspiration for my paintings comes from the landscape I continually explore the interpretation of the subject along a continuum from representation to abstraction. I have found that the most inconsequential scene can be a springboard to several generations of paintings, and it is my objective that the works will ultimately stand independent of the subject origin.” 

 "Wetland Shore"

oil painting © Dennis Dykema

Dykema's works are included in many public, corporate, and private collections; among them, the Sioux City Art Center, MacNeider Museum of Mason City, 3M Company of Minneapolis, Norwest Banks of Sioux City and Des Moines, Principal Financial Group, Pioneer Company of Des Moines, Pella Rollscreen, and the State of Iowa.  His studio welcomes visitors but it would be wise to call 712-299-0957 to be sure.   

Check back again for more artists and activities for the 2011 Artisans Road Trip!

Join Us!

Join us for a year of creativity; for a spring, summer and fall of painting, throwing pottery, printmaking, photography, glass blowing, stained glass, mosaics, making jewelry, you name it!

We are the Artisans Road Trip of Northwest Iowa, and our member artists are working in their studios, showing in galleries, and even working afield - toward the ultimate art studio tour to come on October 1st, 2nd and 3rd in 2010.

Join us for some weekly commentary from many of our artists...commentary about what they are up to, obstacles they are hurdling, artwork they are making, goals they are progressing toward; see what transpires!

Join us for the year on the road from studio to studio - then on to the Artisans Road Trip!