This & That ‘mostly’ about art...................... by Katie Plucker
June 29-July 8, 2006 - Christine Richards has invited me to exhibit my work in her gallery, CR Gallery, right on Hwy 71 in Milford. ‘Cricket’ loves art, loves to go to work everyday and is a person every artist should know as she is supportive and encouraging in the arts. Christine hosts the ‘Second Saturday Artist’s Market’ in her gallery,
912 Okoboji Avenue, 10-2, for artists to sell/display their artwork. Contact her at
712-338-4155 if you are interested.
Sept. 30 & Oct. 1, 2006 – Art Iowa Colored Pencil Weekend, Amana Arts Guild, Amana. If you have never visited the Amana Colonies in the Fall, consider a trip this year. The area is beautiful, peaceful, simple. This is my 4th invite to be part of the Art Iowa Workshop offering at the Amanas and I look forward each time to my visit.
School is out!!!
Whew!! It seems like I have been running a race since Easter. How can life become so complicated and demanding that we are rushing around crazed to get ‘things’ done? Are those ‘things’ that important? I am sure I passed myself, if not a couple of times. Today was my first day TO MYSELF, FOR MYSELF at home in a very long time. It felt so good just to ‘putz' around the yard and house. And I did spend about 3 hours in the studio painting.
Yehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
I just returned from a much needed get-away at Dillman’s Lodge in Lac du Flambeau, WI. Dillman’s has been offering workshops with nationally known artist instructors for 29 years. I was privileged to take a watercolor workshop there with John Salminen. http://www.johnsalminen.com/
Great workshop!!! We worked hard, definitely were challenged. Especially for me, as we worked in abstract, focusing on design. I love taking workshops. No matter how experienced, I always come away with new knowledge – some of which is profound, life-changing; and other, maybe a simple technique or information or a new tool.
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 . (I heard the word ‘pristine’ 3 times today on TV) 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. I personally loved the placement of flowers in just the right, but unexpected places, on the grounds. All this is a result of the hard work and sincere thoughtfulness, above and beyond, of Dennis and Sue Robertson, Stephanie and Todd. As John was demonstrating one afternoon, I saw an eagle swoop down just in front of our window overlooking the lake to snatch a fish out of the water. Spectacular!! However, as Dennis said, “it is an everyday occurrence here.” 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.”
I might suggest a group of ‘us artists’ take part in a workshop next year. How about it? Think about it.
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. 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.
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 this coming weekend.
ArtsLIVE Mission
A partnership to promote the arts year round in and beyond the Creative Corridor in Northwest Iowa.
ArtsLIVE is a non-profit partnership of arts venues, organizations, and individuals promoting the arts year round in and beyond the Creative Corridor in Northwest Iowa.
The vision of ArtsLIVE is that one day, through the collaborative efforts of ArtsLIVE partners, the Creative Corridor will become a year round “arts destination.”
ArtsLIVE partners believe in working together, expanding beyond traditional borders to new partners, and improving quality of life through arts, entertainment, and cultural opportunities.
ArtsLIVE is where the arts thrive.
Arts on Grand’s annual fundraiser, Backyard Bach & Blues, is coming up. This year the theme, Iowa Gothic on a Century Farm, hosted by the Kilpatricks on their farm near Spencer, July 15, 7 p.m. Contact AOG at 712-262-4307 for more information or visit www.artsongrand.com to learn more about classes, events and exhibits.
Click on the pictures to enlarge and read about how and why she creates horses and other animals out of driftwood, very similar to America’s Deborah Butterfield. As part of my sculpture unit at SMS, we study Butterfield. The last I read Deborah was still in Montana.
I don’t think I can live without the Magic Eraser. Ok, I can, but cleaning is much easier with it. It is amazing. Not sure how it works, but it does. Sunday I was cleaning the very dirty boat and the Magic Eraser made it easy. Those dirty recessed parts of the leather-looking vinyl were no problem with the Magic Eraser. Also, I use a marker on my year-at-a-glance calendar and sometimes it is difficult to remove, but noooooo problem with the Magic Eraser.
My New Release, East West Bridge-Okoboji, a giclee’ of a plein aire watercolor I did last summer of the new bridge between East and West Lake, Okoboji, is selling quite well. I sat on a lower platform/deck of the trestle bridge on 3 separate occasions to paint this work. Let me know if you would like me to save one for you. There are only 250 in the edition.
Tip: When using a photograph to refer to when painting, I seal it in a sandwich bag. It is clear for me to see details and it protects the photo from the many fingerprints and the splashes and spills of painting with watercolor.
I hear so often of the frustration and disappointment of people, mostly women, who want to spend more time on/at their art, however, the reality and responsibilities of everyday life, get in the way. I have and will continue to experience those same frustrations myself. I can only speak as to my experience: first, I remember saying to myself, “if I only had a day to paint.” I have realized that I can get a lot of watercolor painting done in 30 minutes! If that is what you have, take it! Make the most of it. N.O.W. No Opportunity Wasted. Second: If you have to get your art supplies out of the closet in order to paint, you probably won’t. And you will use up valuable limited time in the preparation and the putting-away. Find an area or a room where you can work and leave you supplies and materials out, if it’s only a card table in a corner somewhere. When my sons were babies and toddlers and I was a stay-at-home mom plus took care of three other children, as well. I had a space in the corner of my kitchen (I will admit it was a very large kitchen.) and “while the macaroni was cooking” I was in the corner either analyzing work or painting a few strokes of watercolor. I had and have a terrific thirst, a need to create, and found a way, if only for a few minutes. To think ART. Sooooooo get that space ready. Ok, some of you are getting tired of hearing this from me, but I really believe this to be true. If you want something bad enough, you will find a way; if not, you will find an excuse. Become aware of the roadblocks we can throw up to prevent ourselves from getting what we desire.
And..............................if you are working ‘large’, having small fragments of time here and there to complete a large piece alone can be frustrating and overwhelming and make you feel defeated. You may lose that initial energy and excitement which led you to begin the work. Perhaps work in a smaller format??? a smaller size??? I know many artists who would argue that idea with me. Very simply, do the math. I recently read of an artist who paints one painting per day and posts it on her website each day for sale. One painting every day! They are small, I think they were 6”x6”, but 365 per year and she was working, painting every day. That alone, must be fulfilling.
Also, I believe there is a “season” for the chapters in your life – caring and nurturing your children, employment to financially support the family, caring for an ill/disabled spouse, parent or child, etc. Often these chapters will require almost all of your time and commitment. And that is the way it is supposed to be. The season for your art will come. Knowing that and accepting that will lessen the frustration and deliver a certain amount of peace as you turn the pages of those chapters.
Another battle can be the idea that people do not take artists seriously. Our need to create is seen as a hobby, a fun way to spend time or a waste of time. If you have people around you who feel that way about your art, that can be a huge difficult obstacle. My heart goes out to you. My art is a real need. “I just gotta make me something.” And I am the happiest when I have taken that opportunity to create.
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katie
