Local Art Seen: Stephanie Wilcox @ Wussow's

Stephanie Wilcox lives and works here in Duluth. A largely self-taught artist, she enjoys taking regular art classes in the community. "I am an artist. I make paintings. I make drawings. I am inspired by nature." 

"When shapes repeat, it looks cool. In my art, I make mazes. I make a maze and then I turn the maze into a tree. Mazes are made from memories. My memories are from dreams."

"I choose pencil, markers, paper, and canvas. When I paint on large canvas I feel powerful. Making one artwork feels like millions. It's so fun. I don't know why I keep doing it, I just can't help it. When I'm sleeping, I'm dreaming about my artwork. I think it's just 'me.'"

Related Links
Stephanie Wilcox @ Beaners, 2017  

EdNote: I especially like the titles on her pieces, but can't find where I wrote them, so you will need to make sure you go and see her work this month. The titles are all there. 

Local Art Seen: Tara Austin Spreads Her Wings at the Joseph Nease Gallery

When Tara Lynn Austin returned to Duluth after capturing her Masters at the U of Wisconsin-Madison, I remember telling myself, "This is someone to pay attention to." Four years have passed and she continues to produce exceptional work that is almost berserk with detail.

Tara Austin's current exhibit, titled Boreal Ornament IV, is now featured at the Joseph Nease Gallery in downtown Duluth. After her first Boreal Ornament show at the DAI she shared how to produces the effects we see in here work. "Boreal Ornament is all paintings made on plexiglass or glass. I became interested in working on these transparent materials when I saw a painting by Barbara Rossi at the Milwaukee Art Museum in 2016." Her continued experimentation has generated some exceptionally complicated designs and dazzling effects.   

What follows is a portion of her work that is currently on display.

detail from octagon above

detail from another portion of same octagon

On June 25 Austin will be giving an artist talk. Contact Amanda or Joe at the gallery for details.

Joseph Nease Gallery is located at 23 West 1st Street, Downtown Duluth. Their current hours are Thursday through Saturday, noon to 4 pm, and by appointment. 

Contact info:

Phone: 218-481-7750
Email: info@josephneasegallery.com
http://www.josephneasegallery.com/
https://art.josephneasegallery.com

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Related Link 
2018 Interview with Tara Lynn Austin
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2018/05/tara-lynn-austin-without-limits-artist.html

Lake Superior Abstract Interest Group Art Exhibit at the Zeitgeist Atrium

"Summer Along the River" -- Acrylic. Virginia Alexander.

In case you haven't heard, the Zeitgeist has opened up again. The restaurant/cafe is open for dinner several days a week, and there's a new art exhibit in the Atrium. The art show features work by the Lake Superior Abstract Interest Group and its theme is Art Exhibit “C*A*R*E”.  16 artists have work on display. A unique feature of the exhibition is that a portion of all sales proceeds will be given to charity. An opening reception is currently scheduled for January 20, 2022.

Here are some of the paintings you'll see if you are able to visit.

"Crazy for Patsy" -- Acrylic. Margie Helstrom.

"The Beat Goes On" -- Watercolor/Mixed Media. Mary Azmitia.

"Stardust" -- Acrylic. Wood, Fabric. Kris Nelson

"Living the Life" -- Acrylic, Mixed Media. Sue Rauschenfels

"Flora Friends" -- Watercolor/Mixed Media.Avita Gille. NFS

"Autumn Mysteries"--Watercolor. Edna Stromquist.

"What Do You Say to a Man with. Two Black Eyes"-- Mixed Media. Ed Newman

"November" -- Watercolor on Giclee. Kay Bloom. NFS

"Gathering" -- Watercolor/Acrylic. Linda Gerga.

"2020" -- Acrylic/Mixed Media. Rosemary Guttormsson.

The photos don't do justice to some of the artwork. 

Unless otherwise noted, all work displayed here is for sale. If you are from outside the area and see something you would like to own, send me an email I will put you in touch with the artist. ennyman3 >at< gmail.com 

"Diversified Rainbows Dancing in the Moonlight"--Canned Latex Enamels. 
Doris Sampson

"Oh, That's Chlorophyll For You"-- Acrylic. Molly Ovenden.

"Compasionata of the A.S.P.C.A."--Acrylic. Claudia Faith.

"Anchored"-- Acrylic. Cynthia Matthews.

A Quick Peek at the Duluth Art Institute's 63rd Arrowhead Regional Biennial

Modern Times--Jonathan Thunder. First Place.

Yesterday afternoon I visited the Duluth Art Institute to check out the Arrowhead Regional Biennial, one of the longest-running biennials in the country. The exhibition features a wide range of artwork produced within the last five years from artists residing in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada. 

133  artists submitted work to this 63rd Biennial. Kayla Aubid served as judge for the show. 27 artists' works were selected, showcasing work that examines community, the environment, heritage and current events. As usual, this is a special show with much to appreciate. Here are some of the photographs I took today along with links to some of the artists I have interviewed here over the years. (For best viewing, click to enlarge 

Clarion Whisper--Gary Carlson

Detail from Clarion Whisper

LaVentana--Carmen Gutierrez-Bolger

Empty Inside--Rachel Bruya

Contingent--Susanna Gaunt

Under Pressure--S. Catrin Magnusson

The Good Doc Poler--Chimakwa Nibawii Stone

Falling in a Forest--Adam Swanson

Painting 85--Scott Helmes

Painting 85 (Detail)

Reaching for Health--Loretta Bebeau

Reaching for Health (Detail)

Disclaimer: All the works you see here are more impressive in person. There were others I would like to have highlighted but the photos were not suitably sharp. 

The Duluth Art Institute is located on the fourth floor of Duluth's Historic Depot on Michigan Street. In addition to the Biennial, there are also exhibitions in the Corridor Gallery and the John Steffl Gallery.  

The Artists of Yellow Bird Fine Art Have Found a Nest in Duluth

Saturday I shared images from a multimedia project called FISHNETSTOCKINGS, now appearing at the Joseph Nease Gallery along with a pair of paintings by Jonathan Thunder. While there I learned about the Open House at the Yellow Bird Fine Art Gallery located adjacent to Zeitgeist. So nice to see the new resident in our Downtown Duluth Arts District.

There were many familiar faces at the opening, and the walls are filled with works by many or our regional artists. I thought I'd heard someone say that there are 70 artists represented, though I am not entirely sure I heard correctly. In addition to paintings, they have glass works, pottery and jewelry. Here are just a few of the names represented: Karl Weber, Kris Nelson, Karen Nease, Sophie Irvine, Margie Helstrom, Anna Marie Pavlik, Jean Hedstrom, Luke Hillestad, Sue Rauschenberg and many others.

The Yellow Bird Fine Art gallery is located on Superior Street at the corner of 3rd Avenue East, adjacent to the Zeitgeist. Here's a clip from Fox21 about the new gallery and its team.