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!

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!

From the Tallgrass...an Exhibition

(click on image for a larger view)

A solo exhibition of prairie artist Bruce Morrison’s paintings, drawings and photographs will be hosted by the Witter Gallery in Storm Lake, Iowa. “From the Tallgrass” is a familiar theme for Morrison, who paints, draws and photographs the prairie remnants and locales from the region he lives and works from. Many of the more than 60 works in this exhibit have never been publicly exhibited before.

The 2012 Artisans Road Trip artist works directly from the landscape, as well as the flora and fauna of the tallgrass prairie. “I seek out and paint, draw or photograph actual locations.  I like to ‘document’ as well as ‘celebrate’ the natural and cultural heritage of our region. The prairie made this region what it is today, and I feel compelled to celebrate that heritage.” remarks the artist. You can follow the artist on his weekly blog (http://prairiepainter.blogspot.com).

In the exhibit you will see oil paintings of landscapes done in the “plein air” tradition (on location), or in a more traditional style, done in the artist’s rural studio.  Exhibit visitors will also see very rich landscapes of a smaller scale done in a laborious method in color pencil, as well as intimate and panoramic photographs, and a small, never before exhibited, collection of large format silver gelatin prints.

Morrison works as a professional artist out of his rural SE O’Brien County studio. Bruce and his wife Georgeann remodeled a former sheep barn/chicken coup on their property, to serve as Bruce’s workspace and gallery.  “A great way to re-purpose a piece of our cultural heritage!”  said the artist.

The Exhibit, “From the Tallgrass”,  runs from April 5 through April 26, 2012.  There will be an artist’s reception at the Witter Gallery on Thursday April 5th from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - the public is invited!

The Witter Gallery is located at 609 Cayuga Street, in Storm Lake.  You can contact the Witter for more information at 712 732-3400.

Marisa Sidles - 2012 Artisans Road Trip Artist

"Burning Landscape"

Acrylic on Canvas - ©Marisa Sidles

Another 2012 Artisans Road Trip artist to spotlight!  Welcome Marisa Sidles!

"Hi, my name is Marisa Sidles and I am an artist. I have always been a creative person and particularly enjoy painting. I like to use a variety of media to create a mood, invoke an emotion or tell a story with my work. My inspiration comes from nature and the world around me. I use the vibrant colors found in nature to create contrast and depth in my landscapes and figure studies.

My newest area of interest is in making collages. You can achieve a different sort of feeling using fabrics, paint and small objects. I am excited about exploring this medium more extensively in the future.

Although I have taken art classes in high school and college, I am primarily self-taught and have spent years reading and studying different artistic styles in order to create figure studies, landscapes and collages.

After graduating from Pocahontas High School, I attended ILCC where I received an Associates of Arts degree in graphic design. I live on a farm outside of Terril, IA with my husband, Nathan and a variety of dogs, cats, horses and other farm animals. I have a graphic design business, Rissy’s Design and Creations and a studio in Terril. I am also a member of Iowa Regional Artists.

Side Street Gallery in Arnold’s Park was the first gallery to display my artwork in November and December 2009. Mari Stewart, owner, gave me a chance to display my work with just a leap of faith and I am very grateful. In February 2010 I had my first solo show at Pearson Lakes Art Center. My work has also been displayed at A Piece of Work on Hill Avenue in Spirit Lake, IA. I received 3rd Place in the Iowa Artists Regional at Arts on Grand in Spencer, IA in 2011. A group showing at Arts On Grand in Spencer was held through early March of this year ( "Let's Hear it for the Girls").

I have been instructing intuitive acrylic painting classes since January - held in Spencer at the curial/Reynolds school of visual arts. These classes will be fun and stress free for a complete beginner or an established artist looking to exercise the creative spirit.  Look for fun intuitive acrylic classes coming this fall. 

I invite you all to come and take a step into my world and I hope you will be intrigued and inspired and just enjoy the journey."

Please join us again for more from the 2012 Artisans Road trip!

2012 A.R.T. Artist Hank Hall

Circus Arrival Teapot - © Hank Hall (2012)

This 2012 Artisans Road Trip artist spot light is on Hank Hall of Spirit Lake!

Hank Hall - proprietor and resident artist of Art on 16^th in Olde Town Spirit Lake - continues his fascination with making one-of-a-kind teapots. Recently, his “Circus Arrival” teapot was selected for the 23^rd Annual Teapot Show “On the Road Again” which opens in Chicago on April 1. For the third year in a row, Hank has entered and been selected for this prestigious exhibit of hand-crafted teapots.

“Circus Arrival” includes wheel-thrown and altered clay parts, acrylic paint, and a handle made from copper tubing, resin elephants and a wooden ball. The high-fire glazed interior also makes it a fully functional teapot. Hank says he enjoyed figuring out the handle and searching for the “right elephants” to complement the elephant-like body. “Circus Arrival” will be on display at Watertower Place on N. Michigan Avenue in Chicago between April 1 and May 15, at Chiaroscuro gallery, Suite 3050.

Hank has participated in the Artisans Road Trip at Art on 16^th since he re-purposed Joe Lieb’s long-time woodworking shop into an art studio and gallery in 2007 and before that at Carnegie Hall Artworks, also in Spirit Lake. Generally viewed as a potter and mixed media artist, Hank continues to create one-of-kind teapots along with his distinctive abstract drawings and paintings. An Iowa Arts Council-sanctioned teaching artist, he also offers art classes to people of all ages to help them turn up their creativity and experience success working with materials. His extensive schedule of summer art classes is released to the public by April 1. Along with Hank’s work, Art on 16th represents the work of nearly 20 other area fine artists and has regular hours starting in May, with appointments available year round. More information about Hank and Art on 16^th is available at www.hankhallarton16th.com or by calling 712.330.6007.

Join us again soon for more great artists and happenings from the 2012 Artisans Road Trip!