This & That ‘mostly’ about art...................... by Anita (Katie) Plucker
Shop – Visit my website for all your Holiday gift giving. Prints, giclees and framed
originals. E-mail me or call me at 712-853-6343 or stop by these businesses carrying my work:
Heartland Americana – Estherville Art on 16 – Spirit Lake Sidestreet Gallery & Frame – Arnolds Park CR Gallery – Milford
Arts on Grand – Spencer
McGee Framing and Art – Peterson
Wild Faces Gallery & Frame - Rolfe Riecke’s Bayside Gallery – Big Fork, Montana
mark your calendars
Exhibits – Dec. 10-Jan 5 –Artisans Road Trip Revisited – Arts on Grand, Spencer, Iowa – An exhibit of participating
artists of the 2007 A.R.T. The public is invited to the gallery talk/performance, Friday, December 14, 5:45 p.m.I will be exhibiting my watercolor paintings along with artists Linda Fries and Avis Davis. Workshop – June 9-13, 2008, Arts on Grand will host a watercolor workshop with fabulous watercolor artist,
Jane Freeman. Her watercolors are outstanding!! I am looking forward to taking her workshop. Call Arts on Grand and visit with Rita for more details and to pre-register.Deadlines – January 15, 2008 – TWSA (Transparent Watercolor Society of America) Slide/digital entry for annual exhibit,
Bloomington, MN; Ted Nuttall, Juror.Plan Ahead – Art in the Park, Saturday, August 2nd 2008 – Arnolds Park.
The Pearson Lakes Art Center has scheduled this event to coincide with the Blues Festival!! Not only will there be music to enjoy during the outdoor event, but there will be more traffic as the ‘lakes’ people are still here during this part of the summer. Yeh!!!!!Again, it has been a while since my last communiqué. Staying connected with workshop participants, fellow artists, customers and collectors is very important to me. However, again, real life takes priority at times. I have used any fragments of free time to be in the studio painting…..creating…….and not at the computer.
This last sentence reminds me of the recent workshop I attended, as did many area artists. Alyson B. Stanfield, an artists’ advocate and consultant, of Golden, Colorado, was brought to Spencer for a couple of days through the SPACE (Spencer Alliance for a Creative Economy) organization. This workshop, “I’d Rather Be in the Studio!” was packed with information and suggestions regarding self-promotion. I will admit I am not good or consistent as to getting my work before the people. I would rather be in the studio creating. I need to ask myself what and where do I go with my art. I often compare myself to me getting into a cab, the cabbie asking me where I want to go and I reply with “I don’t know, just drive.” Simply, I need to make a decision, to set goals regarding my art, not to see “where the ride takes me.” First of all, how do I define success for me? If I want to sell my art, I need to take on the role of a businessperson.
If I want recognition and compensation for my work, I need to promote ‘me’.
The very first point Alyson stressed, ‘no more excuses.’ You have heard me relate my favorite saying/quote in previous newsletters: If you want something bad enough, you will find a way. If you don’t, you will find an excuse.’
Alyson strongly encourages blogging and advised the group to start immediately. I am dragging my feet on that idea, but have so enjoyed Bruce Morrison’s daily blogs regarding the work he and his wife have done on remodeling a shed into a studio/gallery. I was excited to read about the daily progress (a lot of hard work). The photos alone told the story. The one morning I awoke to a terribly windy rainy day and my thoughts were with Bruce and Georgie as I knew from the blogs their plans were to get the roof on and the building enclosed as soon as possible. His blogs were like chapters of a story.
I started to list or summarize what I came away with from this workshop plus my private consultation with Alison, but there is just too much! I will say that I was happy to see many of the area artists participating. We collectively received new ideas, information, guidance, strategies and validation to continue to build and strengthen the culture of our area in the arts. That is huge! I encourage you to visit Alyson’s website and register to receive her e-newsletter, artbizcoach.com
My arts adventure for 2007 took me up to Dillman’s (Dillman’s Bay Resort and Creative Arts Foundation) in northern Wisconsin, the first week in October, to take a workshop with Nita Engle. This was my second workshop at Dillman’s. The fall colors reflected on the lake surrounding the resort were spectacular….wonderful inspiration and subject matter for this ‘loves-to-paint-water’ artist. I had investigated the possibility of taking a workshop with Ms. Engle for several years. Most of them were scheduled in the spring or fall, when I am back in school. It is not easy to leave my classes for a week but this year I decided to take the workshop knowing something could happen and I would regret putting it off. Nita did announce this workshop would be her last one. She is 82 years old and she may change her mind, however, I am sooooo glad to have had the opportunity to take from her. I learned so much….. new tools, new techniques, new colors and color combinations and just watching her paint was thrilling. I do believe no matter how experienced a person may be as an artist, one can always learn new things; some of which are profound, life changing, from the instructor and from the participants, as well. The workshop participants were from all over the United States.
The experience of staying at Dillman’s alone is wonderful. One can expect to be pampered and immersed in art with great food, beautiful views, peace and quiet. Everyone feels comfortable….at home.
The workshops at Dillman’s are conducted in state-of-the art studios open 24-hours a day on a lush peninsula surrounded by pristine White Sand Lake. Accommodation selections range from contemporary units to well-kept rustic cottages. Wonderful artwork hangs in all the nicely decorated buildings. The attention to details, in the surroundings and to accommodate the guest is what makes this place and the people so special. All this is a result of the hard work and sincere thoughtfulness, above and beyond, of Dennis and Sue Robertson, Stephanie and Todd. Please check out their website www.dillmans.com or vacations@dillmans.com I agree with one of the workshop participant’s comment, “the photos don’t do it justice.”
Dillman’s made arrangements for the workshop participants to travel one evening to visit Moondeer and Friends, a great little gallery of art and antiques, in nearby Boulder Junction. Owner and artist, Sara Muender, was a gem. So kind. So helpful. She is in the process of building a new gallery. After lengthy browsing and sipping of wine, our group headed to The Outdoorsman Restaurant for dinner, also in Boulder Junction, which I highly recommend. Outstanding food, beautifully presented!!! The presentation was ART in itself. My time spent in the Northwoods was enchanting.
I am already looking for my next arts adventure destination. I am fascinated with David Drummond watercolors of water. I just read this morning he will offer a plein aire workshop in Jackson, WY next July 14-18. If anyone is interested in going along, let me know. I probably will not make my decision until January or February.
www.artslive.com is the best resource for finding an arts-related event in and around
Northwest Iowa. All in one place. There is a lot happening.
katie
