Nursery Mural -- finished w/4 hours to spare before I leave... :) Congrats Liz!!  You'll be a great mama!!***

 

It's funny how you almost forget how beautiful home is -- until you go away for awhile.  :)

Here's the almost-complete, new roof on my studio.

 Finally, I had my last official meeting for my CMAB Art Grant.  Doug Standke, the Program Director, came out to meet with Dodie & me at my studio.  Just recapping the last year with these dedicated, art-minded people --- I realized just how amazing this experience has been.  THanks DODIE!!  & Doug!  It will forever mark the start of something really great in my life.***

Back from TANZANIA -- Off to GERMANY.******

After a month in Africa -- helping in gardens, at an orphanage, peeling potatoes in the kitchen, admiring homemade fabrics/baskets, & just traveling the beautiful country of Tanzania --- I am now ready for part II of my summer.

I leave tomorrow for Bad Salzdetfurth, Germany. I will be interning at a German Kunstverein, member-owned Art Gallery that will host an oil painter this summer. I am so excited I can hardly handle myself -- for the people, food, language, hiking trails... & the ARTWORK. 

In conjunction w/the program -- I will be blogging about my daily work/life experiences.  Here is that link:  http://blog.lib.umn.edu/lync0161/myblog/

And the link to the Kunstverein as well:  http://www.kunstverein-bad-salzdetfurth.de/

I leave for Africa on Saturday.......

.......and cannot begin to tell you how excited I am.  For the people - the animals - fabrics - food - pace - exploration - customs - & (of course) the ART.   I will be traveling w/my cousin Cara.  We fly out to DC for a night, then to Addis Ababa (capital of Ethiopia) and on to Zanzibar (island off coast of Tanzania).  We then ferry across to Dar es Salaam (capital of Tanzania), and bus (many hours) to Njombe, where we will stay.  And help at an orphanage, in the fields, and w/preparation of food.

I found an R. Mullin quote -- while dreaming: "The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa - for he has so much to look forward to."   :) :) :) Cheers.

Pump House gets a new roof -- day 1.

Thanks Dad & Aaron.***

Mitch's duck.

Peterson's farmhouse -- on my running route.

I sit next to Alfonso in Adv. Drawing.

He is pure abstraction & completely experimental.  I, on the other hand, occasionally use a ruler when plotting dimensions.  He rips on me every time. :)

Last week we did a quick piece together - for kicks.  Its not uber eye-catching-- but it was a fun reminder to be free in my work.  Take risks.  Play. 
Alfonso, although crazy -- is good for me.***

New. Paintings.

Top painting is from outside the city wall of Jerusalem.  Bottom painting is a vacant building in Winsted -- the town where I taught.**

We hung the first of the MFA shows this past weekend -- for my Nash Gallery internship.  It was featured in City Pages this week, and opens tonight!***
Everybody is an Astronaut.

Sketchbook.

Our professor had us quickly sketch a rocking horse.

Afterwards, he gave a demonstration on how to exaggerate lines & define separation of planes. Obviously, one would round these in a final version -- but its amazing how much more depth & appeal are in the second one - even though its a simple line study.  :)

Finished the streetfront of Shepherd Hotel in Bethlehem, Israel.  Vegas-type feel, yet the origin of multiple religions.. So odd -- and great. 

So, it was Midterms last week.  My painting class hung our pieces in the Regis Art Center, before critiquing.  Here is a glimpse of the work:

My paitings are below.  There are models every class session - so I've been painting a lot off the figure.  Completely different than my subject matter, but I'm really enjoying the forms & freedom.

Lastly, I am officially a BFA student. Heck yeah. :) Applications & portfolios were due in early March, and I found out a few days ago.  That news -- just makes me happy.  I now get studio space at the U, an advisor, & get to be part of a great community of art.  Pure inspiration.

"I travel a lot. I hate having life disrupted by routine." C.Stinnett
**** Oklahoma on Saturday.  My little brother is studying there for the semester.  We are going to hop in his truck and drive around for a week.
**** May/June.  My cousin and I will be in Njombe, Tanzania - volunteering at an orphange. 
**** July/August.  Bad Salzdetfurth, Germany -- I have an internship at the Kunstverein - Art Gallery.
The actual travel is only a portion of the excitement.  I can't wait to see where these places take me -- my creativity.  I leave one person, and come back a wiser, truer version of that self.  More broke, of course.  But that never seems to bother me.  :)EM

"I paint for painting." -S.Holland

Started these yesterday...
 







 



New focus of my work: 
1. Odd Dimensions
2. Play w/Patterns
3. Precise Color Palette
 

In the past two days I have been to:
Franklin Art Works, the Mpls. Iinstitute of Arts MEAP Gallery, the Soap Factory, and just got home from installation at the Katherine Nash Gallery (my internship). 

Lots of wonderful art.***

Speaker tonight at the U -  Prof. Berding, head of grad department, Michigan State. I really loved how he talked about work ethic, motivation, and mind-sets in art.  One thing I jotted down, and then circled ridiculously:

 "KEEP A PAINTING OPEN AS LONG AS POSSIBLE." 
Immediately I thought about the Winstock piece. 

I worked on it yesterday, but the last time was perhaps October?!  His words helped me pinpoint why:  The painting seems creatively ---- 'done.'  Absolutely NOT-OPEN.  At all.  Work is left, not artistic input.  Just makes so much sense to me now. 

Another point: OBSERVATION VS. INVENTION.  I know I can recreate -- but what else?!?  My painting prof (Val) & I decided -- I am going to loosen up a bit.  Be bold, & innovative.  Dig in to my curiosities (patterns/dimension) -- make them my passions.  !!

Okay-- one last thing from the talk.  (I took 3 pages of doodley notes, I liked this guy.)  His advice:  ---- Find a word.  Some word that just resonnates & pulls you back in focus.  Find a word that sets your goals in line.  Post it in your studio.   :)Love that.  BYe.

Doug Kugler Eco-Site. 

Mr. Kugler was one of those stand-out teachers.  He started an Ecology Club in Watertown, brought students to Boundary Waters every summer, & just rocked at life. 

Mr. K's favorite spot up in the BWCAW was Curtain Falls.  I had painted the falls from his wife's photo - so it just seemed fitting that his Memorial Recycling Center has one. 

Dropped off the painting & toured the center this morning.  Absolutely amazing.  It's fun -- to contribute a little to his family & this great, great facility.******* 

Pump House #4 -- more play w/dimension.

Pump House #3.

Self portrait --- my sketch tonight...

"One must from time to time attempt things that are beyond one's capacity." --A.Renoir

My drawing prof. suggested I stick to the PUmp House.  I have "such passion & energy invested," I should "see where it takes me." 

THerefore, Pump House #2:

...from the sketch book. Lots of patterns/stripes at the moment.***

U of MN  -- Day #1 Assignment:  Sketch your passion. 

Every legit artist has a self portrait.  Mine is definitely a work-in-progress...   For the record:  It is FAR EASIER to paint cows, boats, & barns.  WOw.

This is an entry in lastweek's sketchnbook.  I took the photo in Israel - it's a modern-day shepherd hut. For such a quick, effortless drawing -- it just worked.  So I thought I'd see if that ease would transfer over into painting...

I hung artwork again today!!!

This time, at Birch's in Long Lake.  Burt, the owner, had recieved one of my business cards a few months back -- & contacted me this past weekend.  Josh was amazing-framer once again -- and it's up!

http://diyws.com/birchs/ 
Great, local food - funky, casual atmosphere -& my art. :):):)

Fun story:  I met a woman named Kathy, this past October & gave her my REd Cow business card.  This past Tuesday, she called.***  She works at Vivid Interiors, an interior design firm in Minneapolis.  I went & met with the designers on Wednesday morning & they liked 3 of my pieces.   

They asked me to modify this license plate -- by putting "Walser" on it.  They are rennovating Mr. Walser's home, & my Old Truck painting is going in his bathroom.*******  How cooL.

Also, update on my quest to reduce:  I'm finding myself becoming very creatively-clever.  Example:  25 old t-shirts = 1 spiffy rug.  Much more forgiving, when progressing towards 100.  Cheers!!

"To be an artist is to
believe in life."  - H.Moore

A woman at my coffee shop today told me she just sensed the art on the walls was mine -- before reading the exaplanations.  She went on to say, 'More beautiful than the art -- is the essence of the person behind it.'  & w/o really knowing me, she can tell I am a "beautiful being." ********   SHe. MAde. My. dAY.

As for life -- just soo grand.  New connections & experiences seem to pop up daily.  I've never had certainty, quite like I do now...   Not necessarily my abilities -- but moreso the process I've started.  I truly KNOW (finally!) that this path is for me.   Rock on.   --EMily**

Artwork up at Three Crows.  

Josh made 6 frames: 4 barn, 2 pine. All amazing.

 

Two frames were made by Mr. Younk, as well.**



Josh, good friend, also helped me hang. (thanks yo.)




Check it out -- now through end of January. 
& happiest of New Years everyone.** Love love, EMily



Kirsten's Gift to Chris************
There is an E. Hubbard quote, "Love grows by giving."
Merry Xmas guys -- hope you like it.  :)EMily

Assembling the Tigers... w/a little help.***

Core Fit N' Motion-- Griep

Delano Chiropractic-- Berggren

Delano Floral & Gifts-- Schleper

Dancing River-- Hall

Linda's Photography--Knisley

Room to Breathe-- Zachman
Three Crows Cafe' & Coffee House-- Soebner

McDonald's Studio-- 4th Grade Sign 

Check them out NEXT WEEK.********