Local Art Seen: Piszczek, Canelake and Marunowski

Esther Piszczek (center) discusses her work with guests.

Friday night we were able to get out to Esther Piszczek's opening at Benchmark Tattoo. As with all their events it's first class, like the shop itself which has an upscale feel not anticipated in a tattoo parlor. Dane and Kyle have come up with an arrangement for showing the artwork that enables them to showcase new work on the long wall of the corridor-like gallery, and maintain pieces from other artists on the shorter, opposite wall.

Piszczek has something for every price point, from smaller pieces in pen, ink and acrylic ($65) to larger pieces created using enamel paint pen on glass or mirrors ($175 - $250.) Her Zentangle-inspired art is not only executed by different media on different surfaces, she also has a variety of themes including, but not limited to, mussels and clams, pyramids, dragon tails, daisies, explosions and crescent moons.

Canelake's horses are a favorite theme of hers.

From there we dropped in on The Red Herring to see Patricia Canelake's paintings which now spread across the walls there. Despite the muted lighting the work is enjoyable to engage.

Monday evening I had a chance to see Ken Marunowski's paintings on display in the Zeitgeist Atrium. If you happen to be at a movie, or grabbing a bite in the Zeitgeist Cafe, or just need to step out of the cold while walking downtown, stop in at the Atrium for a few minutes and enjoy the work this plain air painter has been producing. Many of his pieces evoke the French Impression of era of days gone by when artists at the end of the 19th century set up their easels in the park or the countryside and painted scenes of nature.

Here are some images from these three happenings. All will be on display through the month of January.

Iconic aerial lift bridge.

Another of Canelake's themes.

Taking time out for a Selfie.

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Celebrate it.

Reminders: Red Mug opening reception tomorrow from 5 till 7.

Friday night art crawl in downtown Duluth will include the Vestiges show at the PROVE, and a joint exhibit featuring work by nature photographer Ladona Tornabene, Ph.D. and Esther Piszczek at Pierce & Piszczek Fine Pianos, 405 E. Superior Street.