Tangled Water at Muskegon Museum of Art

Tangled Water, part of the 12 Views of the Shiawassee River series, was accepted at the 84th Regional Exhibition at the Muskegon Museum of Art. In honor of the Museum's 100th Anniversary, it is the first time the exhibition was open to the whole state. The Exhibition opened May 31 and runs to August 8. There were over 600 entries and about 190 pieces accepted.
Award winners and accepted work can be seen here: Muskegon Museum of Art 84th Regional Exhibition

New Studio!

New studio space

 I think one of the hardest things about being a parent is that your child grows up.  And they move out.  And they leave an empty space behind that no amount of things can fill.  Your heart is broken, you feel at a loss as to what to do.

before

before

On the other hand - they move out and leave an empty space.  What can one do with empty space?  Why take it over and have a bigger studio of course!
This is the 4th re-do that I am aware of.  The upstairs is part of the original 100+ year old farmhouse.  When I came on the scene it was 2 bedrooms.  You had to walk thru one bedroom to get to the other.  The stairway was back where that orange bi-fold door (a bathroom now) is.  There was no heat upstairs at all.
When we inherited the farm about 8 years ago, we set about gutting the entire house right down to the [real] 2 x 4's.  This upstairs room became one room, we moved the stairway to the other side and direction and put in a 1/2 bath.  5 windows facing east, west and south.  Lots of light!  Our son's room.
Fast forward to now.  Move stuff out, fill holes, repaint.  Move studio upstairs.  Enjoy!

carving station at left center

I print standing up at this 8ft. long work bench.  Drawing board is in the back corner.

New to me flatfiles (Craig's List purchase) along stairway

The Print - Michigan Competition

Meadow Quench - upper left

Friday, April 27, my friend and fellow exhibitor Ruth Egnater and I attended the opening reception of The Print at Ann Arbor Art Center.  This was Ruth's first competition and I was very excited to be there with her.  Although I have been accepted several times this was the best one I have seen and am so proud to be a part of.

"The Print invites Michigan artists to showcase experimental print techniques encompassing those of contemporary standards as well as those of time honored tradition."  The past few years it seemed that this was interpreted as "digital" with hardly a hand made print in sight.  It has been discouraging, not only in their content but in what it portrayed as printmaking to the general public.  In my opinion. 


This year’s juror. Norm Stewart chose over 60 prints - everything from a potato print, screen prints, intaglio, colograph, and - YEAH! woodblock prints!  Mr. Stewart is an Artist, Masterprinter and owner of the printing and publishing company of fine art prints, Stewart & Stewart. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Michigan. He also earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art where he worked with Tamarind masterprinter, Irwin Hollander.
Please enjoy these photo's.  I apologize for not having the names of the artists at the time of posting but will make every effort to add them as soon as possible.

Norm Stewart, Juror

Middle print is a woven etching

Ruth Egnater with Country Road

Honorable Mention potato print!

Kimono with clouds

The blue face was made with rubber stamps that said, "Sincerely I Thank You".

Letterpress, sugar lift intaglio, colograph, woodblock.........

Gifts of Art at University of Michigan

Fourteen of my prints, including several from 12 Views of the Shiawassee River, are on exhibit as part of the University of Michigan Health Systems Gifts of Art from April 16 - June 11, 2012.
According to their website, "Gifts of Art brings the world of art and music to patients, visitors and staff at the University of Michigan Health System.

Seasonal Fashion - a spring view along the River Walk in downtown Owosso

One of the first of its kind nation-wide, this comprehensive program has been developed to enhance the Health System's commitment to providing an enriching and comforting environment to assist the healing process."
With nine 2-D and 3-D gallery spaces that are viewed by approximately 10,000 people a day, this is a great opportunity for artists whose work is appropriate for the healthcare setting.  You can view the submission page for more information.  Deadline is May 15!

Great East Japan Earthquake Remembrance Ceremony

Okiagari-koboshi

I was privileged to be invited to the Great East Japan Earthquake Remembrance Ceremony & Luncheon today by the Consulate General of Japan (Detroit) at the Lansing State Capital Rotunda.  I was invited as a representative of both the Michigan/Shiga Sister State Board and as a printmaker member of the Baren Forum and it's "Inspired by Japan" Relief fundraiser.
The Consul General of Japan, Kuninori Matsuda gave a very moving speech thanking "all of our friends across Michigan - individuals, schools, churches, non-profits, corporations and local governments- for your generosity and your solidarity with the Japanese people."  We know that this gift truly stems from kizuna: the bond of friendship."
Speeches were also given by our Governor Rick Snyder and Lansing's Mayor Virg Bernero.  Mrs. Mary Fales, mother of a Michigan man teaching English in Kesennuma City at the time of the earthquake spoke of her son's experience and Dr. Jeffrey Angles read original and translated poetry written in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Each guest recieved a gift from Fukushima (pictured above).  The folk art doll represents the mind of the Tohoku people who are calmly and patiently working on reconstruction with the spirit of "never give up" in the aftermath of the Great Earthquake, as it always stands up with gentle smile however many times it is knocked over. 
I tried to knock it over.  Like our own Weeble's, it bounces right back up when you knock it over!

Reclamation

Reclamation

In October 2011, I was Artist in Residence at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.  With old growth forests, waterfalls, Lake Superior and a plethora of hiking trails, I was inspired until I was overflowing.

We were fortunate to go on two guided hikes with Park Interpreter, Bob Wild, which I highly recommend you do if visiting there.  The first was an early evening bear den hike – during a time when posted signs in the Park said “Bear Activity is High”! The second was a twilight, 90 minute guided hike through the former town site and copper mill of the Nonesuch Copper Mine.  The former copper mill’s limestone building shells and processing pits are slowly disintegrating and there is talk of archeological work being done there in the future if funding can be found.

It was the old town site that really interested me.  The buildings are long gone – torn down or moved during the Depression.  Lilac bushes and fruit trees that now feed only wildlife are the only things left that show that humans inhabited the town site. As we walked back out of the area, the full moon shone down on Nonesuch.  The relatively young trees, holding on to the last of their golden leaves, glowed softly.  The Reclamation by the Wilderness was well on its way.

Adagio

Adagio

 

 

Adagio - A tempo having slow movement; restful, at ease.

The deep snow at the edge of the fields demands that you move slowly and carefully, easing your way, quieting your spirit.
The dried milkweed pods softly rattle in the crisp bursts of wind creating soothing music like wooden wind chimes.
The low winter sun casts lengthy shadows, stretching toward...........spring. 
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