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!

New Works by Marisa Sidles-2012 A.R.T. Artist

 "Campfire" - © MarisaSidles

Marisa's new paintings are on display at The Wine Bar And Art Gallery in Arnolds Park. The show consists of acrylic paintings inspired by old Polaroid pictures, memories, and expressive techniques.

 

 "Moonboots 1" - © MarisaSidles

She used refurbished materials to create a charming and colorful series of paintings along with little memory boxes. This series has a nostalgic feel and she hopes it will bring joy to all who takes the time so pay a visit to see them.

 

 "Rocky 1" - © MarisaSidles

The Wine Bar is open Thursday – Saturday at 7:00pm.

2012 Artisans Road Trip Artist Mel Myers

This A.R.T. spotlight is on Spencer potter Mel Myers!  Mel makes one-of-a-kind, hand thrown porcelain pottery. His bowls, vases, lidded jars, and plates are hand carved with intricate designs. His glazes are also original. Safe to eat off of or put in the oven, his art work is also beautiful to place on a table or mantel. His works make nice gifts.

Besides the Artisans Road Trip, Myers is active in the summer art show circuit with shows in Des Moines, Ames, Iowa City, Okoboji, Marshalltown, Mason City and others. He has been invited to display and sell his pottery in galleries in Iowa City, West Des Moines and Ames. His pottery has been sold to people nation-wide, as well as to people in many foreign countries. He works daily, so he has new glazes and pottery coming out of the kiln frequently.

Mel enjoys visitors to his studio at 717 11th Ave East. His studio is open daily to the public. His work phone is 7125802529.  Turn east at the walgreen/hyvee corner and go 11 blocks to 717 11th Ave East to his studio. Handicap assessible.

Check back again for more artits of the 2012 Artisans Road Trip.

2012 Artisans Road Trip - First of the Summer!

 Some examples of 2012 A.R.T. artists (from upper left clockwise)

Timothy J. Arand-McIlrath, Joleen Dentlinger, Mel Myers, Judy Thompson, 

Dennis Dykema, and Diane King

 The first summer exhibition of the 2012 Artisans Road Trip starts off with an artist's reception at the Witter Gallery in Storm Lake, Iowa this Thursday evening (June 7th) from 5:30-7:00 p.m.!  The exhibit runs from June 2nd through June 29th, and showcases examples of works from the artists participating in the 2012 A.R.T. event.

Want to meet and talk with artists of this year's event?  Come on down to Storm Lake at the Witter Gallery during the June 7th artist's reception!  If you miss the reception, be sure and stop by during the month of June and enjoy the view!

Bait Night at Art on 16th

Hank demonstrating how to put hand work on his fish

2012 A.R.T. artist Hank Hall invites you to join him Friday, June 8 when he will mix the sport of fishing and the art of drawing during Bait Night at Art on 16^th in Olde Town Spirit Lake. This special event with a fishing motif is the fourth in an ArtsLIVE local promotion called ArtsLIVE Night Out, highlighting creative businesses in the Iowa Great Lakes Corridor. Bait Night will run from 7-9 pm and is open to people of all ages and artistic backgrounds. The result of Hall’s guided fishing and drawing experience will be a highly decorated fish to hang on the wall.

Participants should bring an open mind and an interest in growing their imaginations to the two hour trip. As they enter Art on 16^th, they will find large fish images from pre-cut matt board swimming on a blue tarp on the floor of the gallery. Participants will bait their hooks with colorful Sharpie markers attached to the ends of real fishing poles. As they stand or sit next to the blue tarps, participants will jig, troll and rest the bait on the pre-cut images, resulting in random and playful designs. Using tape and design templates, the fish artists will accentuate and define their personal fish. After pulling in the colorful catch, participants will continue to develop areas of the fish with more precise hand work. The idea is to play with color and materials and end up with a one-of-a-kind, eye-popping fish.

A special one-event fishing license of $20 is required for Bait Night, payable to Art on 16^th. Deadline for registration is June 1 with a maximum of 16 good sports. Prepayment will hold a spot in the event. For more information or to register, those interested should contact Sheryl at 712-330-6006 or shhall@mchsi.com.

Bait Night is also available for families or other groups looking for a creative activity, with a maximum of 6 participants during daytime hours and 16 during the evening. For more information about the June 6 Bait Night or other activities and classes at Art on 16^th, call 712.330.6006.

Art on 16^th, Hank Hall’s creative laboratory at 709 16^th Street in Olde Town Spirit Lake, opened in 2007 in the restored shop of master woodworker Joe Lieb and offers quality art classes and remarkable local art.

Check back often to see what other artists of the 2012 Artisans Road Trip are up to!

2012 A.R.T. Artist Judy Hemphill's "Second Stories" Exhibit

 "Second Stories," a photographic presentation by Judy Hemphill

photographs  © Judy Hemphill

 

Artisans Road Trip member Judy Hemphill of Spencer, Iowa, is an aerial, commercial, and fine art photographer. As changes occur in her surroundings her commercial and contract images often become historical documents. Since last spring Judy has been part of a project focusing on historical documentation. Through the Spencer Renaissance Initiative Grant Program, the Spencer Historic Preservation Commission hired Judy to photograph interior spaces of seven second floor properties in downtown Spencer. "Second Stories," a presentation featuring these images, will be repeated Tuesday, May 8, 2012, 5:30 in Spencer City Hall Council Chambers.  This event should be a good fit for the 2012 May Historic Preservation Month theme "Discover Hidden Gems."

Due to a variety of circumstances many of the former office and residential spaces on the second floors of buildings in the Grand Avenue Historic Commercial District are vacant. Many contain "hidden gems" in time capsules which have not been disturbed since last occupied 20 to 40 years ago. Judy captured overall views of hallways, kitchens, other living areas, offices, a dance studio, and an assembly hall. Also pictured are vintage wallpapers, light fixtures, and views from some of the windows overlooking Grand Avenue.

During the "Second Stories" event images of the seven interiors will be featured with commentss from Kirby Schmidt. "Second Stories" property interiors included are the Medlar, Moore, McAllister Block, Floete-Cornwall (Glass Block), Union Block, Citizens National Bank, and I.O.O.F. Buildings.

Spencer Historic Preservation Commission invites everyone to "Second Stories," a photographic presentation by Judy Hemphill, on Tuesday, May 8, at 5:30 pm in the Spencer City Hall Council Chambers, 420 Second Avenue West, 712/580-7200.  Come discover some historic hidden gems!

2012 A.R.T. Artist Karess Knudtson!

"Never More"

Mixed media Upcycled Art

Photography and Encaustics

17 in x17 in

© 2012 Karess Knudtson

 Meet 2012 Artisans Road Trip artist Karess Knudtson!  Karess resides with her family in the beautiful countryside along the Little Sioux River in Milford, IA. Karess studied art and worked in the art department at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She graduated from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Virginia Tech with a Masters of Arts in Education.  Here's Karess -
 

"My family and I enjoy exploring our many acres of restored prairie, woodlands and the Little Sioux River as it winds through them. We spend as much time outside as we can during all of the seasons, enjoying the diversity and beauty of each one.

 

Examples of Textured Photographic Canvas Work
Various sizes available

© 2011 Karess Knudtson

 The creative process has been a very important part of me for as long as I can remember. The art pieces that I am currently offering are all original and hand-worked. Each begins with my photograph and evolves into a mixed media piece of art. The photo is digitally and physically manipulated. Some pieces are then created with an upcycled“canvas” which might include barn wood, metal remnants and other“historic” reused materials. Encaustic painting with beeswax adds yet another dimension of beauty and protection. As I began exploring the technique of encaustic painting…I felt like I was “home.” Loving the outdoors and having been an environmental educator and naturalist, all of my earlier experiences come together in this art form. It combines artistically the elements that I am passionate about....photography, nature, upcycling, and prairies. I use my camera, computer and tactile media as others would use paints or pencils.

Girl Statue No.1

Mixed Media Upcycled Art

Photography & Encaustics

Upcycled barn wood 

 © 2012 Karess Knudtson

There is beauty in every moment of everyday, but in our fast-paced lives it is too easy to let the beautiful moments and objects get away, and we quickly move on. The intent of my photography and subsequent art is…to capture the beauty of everyday and recapture the beauty of materials from the past by manipulating them into a work of art...reflecting beauty in

a place, a time, a life...."

Join Karess at an upcoming exhibit: Month of May in the Exhibit Cove at A Piece of Work, in Spirit Lake, IA with Artist Reception on the First Friday May 4th, 2012 from 5:30 to 7:00

 

Or

Month of June at the Dickinson County Conservation Board Nature Center

with Artist Reception on June 4th, 2012 from 4:30 to 6:00

 

For other upcoming events and more information & pictures you can visit her website.

Karess Knudtson

www.photographybykaress.com

(712)330-7290

Milford, Iowa 51351

"Capturing Everyday Beauty"  

Check back again for more from artists of the 2012 Artisans Road Trip!