2011 Artisans Road Trip Artist - Glenda Drennen

Our Artisans Road Trip artist spot light this week is on Le Mars Watercolor artist Glenda Drennen.

The allure of watercolor captivated Glenda Drennen from the moment she first tried it nearly 30 years ago. A former public school music teacher, Glenda's love affair with this medium began when she married and left teaching. She is a seasoned artist who has earned signature memberships at both the state and national level in both the Iowa Watercolor Society and the Watercolor Honor Society, Springfield, MO and is a member of Iowa Artists.

"St. Joe's" - Watercolor

©Glenda Drennen

Earlier in her life as an artist, painting hundreds of commissions - usually house or business portraits - was a mainstay in her career. While she now accepts few orders, a recent commission painting, "Old St. Joes - Midnight Mass," was particularly successful. The painting featured a historic church that will soon be razed, and sold at auction at a Pheasants Forever fund raising event for $10,000.

"Too Many House Plants" - Watercolor

©Glenda Drennen 

Glenda uses the unpredictable nature of watercolor to advantage, and her energetic paintings often include surprises and reflect her sense of humor. She prefers to work from her vivid imagination, using little if any source material. Most paintings are started with little if any idea of a subject. Her work has evolved into a strong personal statement that is increasingly abstracted and subjective. While she honors and practices the time-honored tradition of transparent watercolor, she also embraces the use of other water soluble media and collage to broaden the creative possibilities. Her work is complex, rich with texture, and shows a maturity of creative expression.

"Tattered Veils of Fall" - Watercolor

©Glenda Drennen

 
"Tattered Veils of Fall" was one of two of Glenda's paintings recently published in an online  cyberbook, "Walk Into Abstracts 2 - How did they do that?" by Sue St. John. The book features images and single page descriptions of the working process for the work of 26 artists.

Ms. Drennen will be showing her work at A Piece of Work in downtown Spirit Lake during the Artisan Road Trip. Until then, some of her work and her blog (under "news") can be seen on her website www.glendadrennen.com

Be sure and check back again for more news from the 2011 Artisans Road Trip - thank you for visiting!

2011 Artisans Road Trip Artist - Bill Lieb

Out Artisans Road Trip artist spot light this week is on Spirit Lake sculptor Bill Lieb. Bill discusses his latest public art project -

"I am in the process of constructing another public sculpture. This one is for installation on 4th Street in downtown Sioux City as part of the "Sculpt Siouxland" program, a juried event designed to promote sculpture and downtown Sioux City.  The finished sculpture will be installed May 14 and will be on display there for one year. This is the fourth year I have had a sculpture accepted into this exciting program.

 

The sculpture is an eight foot tall abstract penguin balancing a spinning beach ball on it's nose.  What is a penguin balancing a spinning beach ball on it's nose doing on 4^{th Street} in Sioux City? Good question! It seems there is a new cloud hanging over our lives today. Do you feel it too? It is the realization that everything on our globe is interconnected to everything else and the whole mess is in a very delicate balance. Change in any one area can force changes in other areas. What happens in the Antarctic or in the Amazon or in Greenland can impact change right here in Iowa. And what we do here can effect what happens there. What is the appropriate behavior for us? How should we relate to our environment in a responsible, sustainable way? These are questions raised by the sculpture titled “Do We Care, We Do Care”.  The represents a metaphor for nature and our response to nature.

On the horizontal surface of one of the penguin's wings are the letters of three words cut through the aluminum. Because of the way the words are positioned and viewed, the message is not discernible.  But as the sunlight passes through the cut-out letters and falls on the sidewalk, the words revealed there appear as a bright sunspot message in the shadow of the sculpture. The message "Do We Care" is arranged in a confusing way and can also be read as "We Do Care". The interpretation is up to the viewer.

Short video of the finished piece!

The beach ball is constructed of curved fins that allow the breeze to spin it around its vertical axis. This movement will compel the passerby to interact with the sculpture and, hopefully, walk away with a more enlightened view of the world.

The images I have included are of a model of the sculpture. Construction of the final sculpture is mostly complete now except for final welding and painting of the beach ball, and grinding a finish on the penguin's body." 

That will be fum to see when it's complete Bill!  

Join us again for another artist spotlight on the 2011 Artisans Road Trip!

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!

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!