Gunflint

In the Grand Marais area of northern Minnesota, one of our favorite things to do is drive the Gunflint Trail. It’s a narrow, winding road with miles of deep forest on both sides and small access points to Superior National Hiking Trail, moose sighting areas and glimpses of the many lakes, wetlands and rivers that run through the landscape. It is also one of the gateways to the Boundary Water Canoe Area (BWCAW) and the myriad of protected lakes and lands in that region.

I’m getting ready for the Family Friends and Neighbors exhibit to be held in July at the wonderful Balsam Arts Gallery in Balsam Lake, WI. It will be a display of a variety of art by local artists. This week’s painting is titled Gunflint, 7”x15” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, and features one of the many picturesque lakes along this scenic road.

 

 

How can it be Memorial weekend already?!

We have had an unusually cool May. With nighttime temps in the 40 to 50-degree range, plants are growing in the gardens, but they’re surely not thriving. And some of the roses refuse to even make an appearance! Yet, here we are at the end of May - the dock is in and the boat should be in the water by the weekend. And we're preparing to gather as a family this weekend and celebrate memories - of dear loved ones and brave hearts who died serving our country. We have much to be thankful for.

This past weekend, Paul and I had a wonderful daytrip to the Big Lake. Dressed for summer but armed with sweatshirts and hats, we drove north, along with Maddie, to Port Wing, WI, for the day. And sure enough – with a cold wind blowing off the lake, we quickly pulled on warmer clothes! I’ve registered for the 4-day Port Wing Plein Air event to be held in August 2018, and we wanted to make sure that there was lodging available. It’s a wonderful village right on the shore of Lake Superior and filled with kind-hearted, creative folks. We reserved the last cabin in town and so glad that they'll let us bring Maddie, too!

This week’s painting, Secluded Bay, 7”x 9” painting on 300 lb. watercolor paper, features a retreat in the woods with a wonderful view of a northern lake.

 

 

Celebrating the Order of May

My two favorite seasons are surely spring and fall. After months of looking at garden magazines– and watching my favorite show this year “Love Your Garden” which showcased building incredible gardens for deserving persons in the UK – it’s now spring! I love the energy of the light, being able to open windows, and getting the yard ready for planting. Both Paul and I have shared experiences of living on farms – he in South Dakota and me in North Dakota. He remarked this weekend that the ritual of preparing the soil and planting the crops always seems to restore a sense of order for him – that God has granted us another year, He is faithful, and we have the promise of new life.

And it is indeed a time of rejoicing. Yesterday, we gathered as a family to celebrate the dedication of our newest granddaughter, Magnolia Carimona Carlson, affectionately known to all of us as Mia. Along with her parents, Jenn and Luke and three dear brothers, Mia handled the ceremony beautifully and we are so thankful for her and all our wonderful children and grandchildren. Jenn ordered a cake for the event, and it was heavily inscribed with: Congratulations, Mia, Happy Birthday to Papa Paul, Congratulations to Tim and Krista (14^th Anniversary), and Happy Mother’s Day! Adding joy to the event were the two great-grandmothers, Nana Jan and Grandma GG. We feel tremendously blessed!

This week’s painting is a commissioned work. Overlook on the St. Croix, 7” x 10” painting on 300 lb. watercolor paper, recalls special times spent at her grandparent’s home on the beautiful St. Croix River.

Suddenly Spring

After an exceptionally long winter – it is SPRING! It came on us in a hurry with the ground warm enough to plant in almost on the same day as the ice went out from our area lakes! And we celebrated with the Earth Arts Spring Art Tour this past weekend. It was a first endeavor in opening my “studio” as such to the public and it was an energizing and fun weekend! Beginning on Thursday morning, Paul and I worked with artists Doug Berg and Joyce Staley of Lakeside Studio to set up our displays in the Lamar Community Center, in the countryside near St. Croix Falls, WI, and the show ran from Friday through Sunday. It was a joy to work with such amazingly talented and seasoned artists, and given the amount of work, we quickly realized that we wouldn’t have been able to do this show without their expertise and help! The Lamar space is beautiful with the original wood floors, soaring windows, and the surrounding farmland still being tilled and planted this very weekend. Thank you, thank you to all! We so appreciate all the dear family, friends and visitors who took the time to come out and visit with us, enjoy the space and generously support our efforts!  

Today, I’m on to the next adventure! I’m delivering paintings for display at the Amery Medical Center in Amery, WI, where my artwork will be featured along with artists Bonnie Hagen and Chris Brylski. And this afternoon, Paul and I will be setting up my member space in the artZ Gallery in Amery, too. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop in at either of these places to see fine art!