November - 2008
I had two watercolors accepted into the Wanda Skogerboe Juried Exhibition,
Exhibition dates: November 14-December 31, 2008
Artist Reception: Friday, Nov. 14, 5-7 p.m.
I will have a solo exhibit, That Time, That Place, at Arts on Grand, Spencer, Iowa, February 14-March 24, 2008.
It has been a very, very long time since my last communiqué. I have thought about it almost everyday. However, when I think about what I have to do, my newsletter seems less important. I prioritize. At this time there is a lot of things tumbling around in my head. It is time to let them spill out.
I did work hard this summer at getting my artwork out before the public. This was my goal for 2008. In the last couple of years, outlets to sell my work in the area dried up for various reasons. Simply, I cannot sell my work if it is sitting in my home in Terril. I am very pleased with making the decision to rent an alcove at A Piece of Work, alcove #1.
I think everyone has heard of A Piece of Work on Hill Avenue, Spirit Lake and have stopped by for a visit, or so it seems I am finding in my conversations with
the general public. A Piece of Work Inc. is committed to showcasing original art in a beautiful aesthetically driven, progressive retail environment that also accommodates arts education and outreach activities. I have been very im-
pressed with media coverage and advertising APOW has done to get the artists’ names and the business out before the public. Interested??? Call 712/336/1077 or stop in to visit with the staff for all of the details of renting a space or purchasing fine art.
This year my arts adventure took me to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
I was blessed to be able to get away and take a workshop with
Powell are amazing! We painted outdoors on site for 2 ½ days
(5-day workshop) at the foot of the Tetons. Glorious weather!
This Iowa farm girl was in awe of the spectacular scenery….the
majesty of the Teton Mountains, the wilderness and forests
within the region…….elk, bison, bear (I saw 4 in one day!), deer,
golden eagles, osprey. The wonderment of nature!!! I find it
fascinating! (I think I will be a naturalist when I grow up.)
Very simply all this is far different from squared fields of corn
and beans planted in neat rows, ……..cows, pigs, horses……
far different from the control of nature I experience and partici-
pate in each day in northwest Iowa. Jackson Hole is a place where one tries to survive or live in harmony with nature. Nature inspires me, makes be feel happy. Trips and experiences such as this put my life into balance. These adventures nourish my inner spirit. I consider this time away as a ‘deposit’. Throughout rest of the year there are many ‘withdrawals’. Who I am, the authentic self blooms, rises to the top. It is very difficult and is a lot of preparation to be able to get away. Prior each adventure I have thought it would be so much easier just to stay home. I can come up with many, many excuses…. However, when I am finally on the road or in the air, I am so thankful for going. I am able to see my life in a different perspective. After a few days I am actually anxious to get back home. I have a new creative energy and an appreciation and gratitude for all I have in my life. That is the ‘why’ I go.
For the last couple of weeks the air has been much cooler and the light has changed, prelude to winter. My flower garden was spectacular this year. Plenty of moisture. The flowers have gone by, a few mums still hanging on. As I look at it now, sadness comes over me. I hate to see the season end. I sooooo enjoyed this last summer. Hardly any humidity or bugs!!! We were able to truly enjoy the outdoors this year. We sat around many fires in our fire pit and I was out on the water kayaking quite a bit.
Love kayaking!! Another way to enjoy nature. I can get to and see places in my kayak one cannot get to with a boat or see from the shoreline. For me, the quiet, the peacefulness and solitude are a big part of the reason for getting out on the water. Another plus is I am able to capture great photos of water and reflections. My last three paintings are scenes I have enjoyed from my kayak. This late summer and fall has been wonderful for kayaking!!! Once school starts I am not able to continue to gather with the ‘Lakes area Friday morning’ kayakers. A few diehards went out Halloween morning……..costumes and all!! Bravo!!
I am also able to see some things I am not happy with when I am on the water. There is tons of trash in the waters…….particularly, PLASTICS!!!! Bottles, bags, straws, containers of all sizes and shapes with ‘stuff’ in them. So sad to see.
I remember being shocked last spring to see all the plastic in the fields as the farmers worked the soil for planting. I see it caught in fences, blowing in the winds until it literally disintegrates. Ditches and waterways are full of it after heavy rains. Each morning’s light shows the shores of area lakes, streams and marshes lined with trash. Let’s hang on to our plastics, get it into trash containers, pick it up if we see it, recycle it and start using alternatives if possible. We need to take care of this rich productive land we have been entrusted with. We are a civilized people. Right???
Several weeks ago I read in a newsletter of the passing of Wendell Mohr. I gasped out loud. It is still hard for me to believe he is gone. The IWS meetings, water-
color workshops and watercolor competitions will not seem the same. He was the gentlest man and great artist. A true artist. Many of us are painters, but he was an artist. Several years ago I took one of his watercolor workshops. He usually has a drawing for his demonstration paintings. I was fortunate to have won one. I treasure this piece even more now.
I read this quote by Edgar Payne recently in another artist’s blog. “Knowledge always precedes execution. No one can paint better than he knows how”.
Keep painting everyone.
Anita Baedke-Plucker
