We're on the Map(s)!!!

The 2011 Artisans Road Trip Artists maps are now updated and linked on the A.R.T. web site!

A.R.T 2011 has 4 regional areas; view each of the regional areas linked to each of the map illustrations below.  Each artist is represented by a number.  These numbers will be on the keys of the A.R.T. brochures with these maps.  The artists and their corresponding number are also under each map on the A.R.T. web site!  

Click on each Map below and take a trip via the web site!

The Beautiful View A.R.T. 2011 Map!

(Click on the map for the active web site map!)

The Iowa Great Lakes A.R.T. 2011 Map!

(Click on the map for the active web site map!)

The Prairie Wetlands A.R.T. 2011 Map!

(Click on the map for the active web site map!)

The Ridge and Tallgrass A.R.T. 2011 Map!

(Click on the map for the active web site map!) 

There you have it!  Take a trip along the 2011 Artisans Road Trip via the web site maps and get a taste for where these artists are and their work!  

Plan for a fun trip this fall on the 2011 Artisans Road Trip!!!

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!

News and Happenings at A.R.T.

"Don't Hate Me Marguerite #1"

©Hank Hall

Artisans Road Trip Artist Hank Hall has recently had one of his Teapots accepted into the 22nd Annual International Teapot Show "On the Road Again" at the Chiaroscuro Gallery in Chicago!  Hank's piece "Don't Hate Me Marguerite #1" was his accepted work and is the second year in a row for Hall to be in the prestigious show.

Other happenings for A.R.T. artists include the Algona exhibit at the "Gallery @ the Library", as mentioned in the previous blog.  We're including some photos of this exhibit for you to view here!

As mentioned before - the Algona Public Library hours are 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Fridays, and 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturdays (Closed Sundays).  Take it in if you're in the neighborhood!

A.R.T. Late Winter Exhibit

"Leaving Ranney Knob"

oil on mounted canvas

© Bruce A. Morrison

The Artisans Road Trip is starting the new year with it's first road exhibit in Algona, Iowa!  The Exhibit has already begun and runs from February 11 through March 30th 2011.  It is being sponsored jointly through the Stinson Prairie Arts Council and the Haggard-Twogood Charitable Trust.  This showing can be viewed in Algona at the "Gallery @ the Library", at the Algona Public Library.  Hours are 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Fridays, and 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturdays (Closed Sundays).

This is the first of several exhibits in 2011, with some pretty great things to see from this year's participating artists!  To check out other scheduled 2011 exhibits, go to our website exhibit page at -

http://www.artisansroadtrip.com/exhibit-page.htm

Follow us through the year by taking advantage of an A.R.T. traveling exhibit in your area and checking in on your favorite artist/artists via their websites and representative galleries!

It's going to be a great event this year!



2011 Artists!

"Window on the Prairie"

oil on panel

©  Dennis Dykema

The artists of the 2011 Artisans Road Trip are here!  And what a nice mix we have - why even the 2011 juror of the applicants had high praise for the selection of participants this year!

Hand carved Green Porcelain

© Mel Myers

We have painters, sculptors, potters, photographers, jewelry makers, print makers, and more!

"Desert Sorcerer"

lino cut

©  Mari Stewart

Check back over the next several months while we learn more about this year's artists, exhibit and the 2011 Artisans Road Trip!

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!

Late Fall/Winter A.R.T. Exhibit

Artists © in this order - Mary Thien, Wendell King, Michael Houge

The Artisans Road Trip Artists, from the past fall's event, are now showing their work in Clear Lake, Iowa, at the Clear Lake Arts Center!  This show is a "gotta see" at the new art center!  View the selected works of artists from NW Iowa in all mediums!

The exhibit has already begun and runs through January 10, 2011!

Put the Clear Lake Arts Center on your winter destination list and, being the season - why not put it on your holiday shopping list as well!  The arts center is located at 17 South 4th Street in Clear Lake, Iowa.  For more information on the art center and the exhibit, you can give the center a call at (641) 357-1998.

Happy belated Thanksgiving from the Artisans Road Trip!