Ochre Ghost, R.I.P.

Gartman's Fever Dream set the tone.

Last weekend I attended a funeral celebration for Ochre Ghost Gallery, the edgy trailblazing Duluth art gallery that just completed a three year run. From the first that I became aware of this tiniest of spaces I recognized it as an original. One of its earliest shows – King Ghost by the Crim City Collective -- garnered national attention for its collaborative outside-the-box expression.

The Ochre Ghost did plenty to energize our local arts community, and will be missed as part of the monthly Second Friday art crawl that evolved over the past few years. The gallery’s existence owes a debt to co-founder Jessica Liszewski for whom owning a gallery had been a longtime dream.

Jessica Liszewski is also an artist.

"Before moving to Duluth in late 2008 I had the opportunity to come up and check it out (the Duluth arts scene) quite a few times. I was excited to see a city of modest size offer so many opportunities for its folk to engage in the arts,” said Liszewski. “This was ultimately one of my motivators to change location. On the surface Duluth appears to have a disproportionately large number of arts groups for its size. From performance art to music to visual art, there really is a lot going on here. After a few months of being a Duluth resident I began to notice the mainstream and somewhat tourist-centric nature of a lot of it.

“Along with this discovery, however, I was slowly being introduced to some of Duluth’s hidden gems, both artists and venues. I was excited about what was already happening but recognized the potential for more variety, more guts…. I’m thrilled I happened to be living here when I could no longer ignore my dream to open an art gallery.”

The "Big Iris" was a treat. (R.Rosvall b.g.)

Annie Dugan, curator at the Duluth Art Institute, expressed a lot of peoples’ feelings when she said, “Ochre Ghost was an amazing space for fresh voices, risk taking, and pure joy in the arts scene in Duluth. It gave an anchor space for experimentation and exaltation of contemporary arts, not to mention amazing parties. The founders, volunteers, artists, and audiences that built and sustained Ochre Ghost for its fabulous run should be incredibly proud of what they accomplished. The Ochre Ghost spirit will definitely live on!”

The founders of another new gallery in town, the PROVE, were notably influenced by what the Ochre Ghost was doing. The collective sought out and re-purposed an unused space, transforming it into a significant voice in the arts scene here. People were quickly aware of its presence. “Ochre Ghost's bravery was what impressed me the most,” says Richard Hansen, co-founder of the PRØVE who also does double-duty in managing the DuSu Film Festival. “From the initial concept through to the art and events they produced, they exhibited the highest level of courage.” FWIW, the PRØVE is celebrating its 2nd birthday this week during Friday night’s Twin Ports Gallery Hop, a good night to be out and about.

The gallery brought a wide range of new work to its doors.

Nick Monson, another co-founder of the PRØVE, expressed shock and surprise when he heard the Ochre Ghost was shutting its doors. “Ochre Ghost was an important asset to the local art community; exceptional in the freedom they provided artists and the variety of art and performance they hosted.” In addition to calling it a vital part of the Twin Ports arts, music, and cultural scene for the last three years he said they will be greatly missed.

“I have been fortunate to call them friends, allies, and compatriots in the fight to bring great art to our community and to expose up and coming artists to greater audiences,” Monson said. ‘Since PRØVE was founded two years ago, we have partnered with OG to make second Fridays a night to be remembered. Other organizations have joined in this effort, and through this we have all helped to energize the growing arts movement in Duluth.

“Ochre Ghost has provided a space where artists and performers have had unprecedented freedom to create unique experiences, one where they could truly have the power to transform a room into something original. Because of this I have attended some of the most creative installations, and seen a variety of work that we rarely have the opportunity to find in the Northland.”

The Crim City Collective found an audience and later produced a DAI Show.

What stands out most is the generosity of the gallery. Ochre Ghost gave its heart, its passion for the arts, to the city. The gallery was a passion of all who were involved. They used their own money to pay the bills, to fund the promotions, to make the experience a special one both for the artists and the public. “The amount of dedication, work, time, and their own money that went into creating this space is something that few of us can really understand,” said Monson.

Nancy Miller with her mosaic Bust of Dylan.

Liszewski, who works as a server at Tycoons, is for now is letting go of the reigns. Her current gallery collaborator Gustav is likewise in the restaurant trade at Sara’s Table. Says Liszewski, “Since opening the gallery in 2010 I have definitely become more active in the Duluth arts scene. It seems to me we’ve gained a lot of momentum this past year. We’re at a point now where we’re developing partnerships and moving forward as a city that supports more diversity in the arts. Annie Dugan at the Duluth Art Institute is doing a lot to make this happen. She’s been working really hard to use the support the DAI already gets from the community to help spread the word about lots of cool stuff that’s happening.”

Oddio Nib

The passing of Ochre Ghost may be disheartening to some, but its very existence demonstrated that there is a vibrancy in the community that is fostering a greater degree of experimentation and exploration as regards what is possible in the Twin Ports. Whether the Ghost ever re-opens or not, Nick Monson summed up many of our sentiments when he said, “I will remember them with the utmost respect and admiration. We have all lost a great friend, but we will never lose the memories.”

# # # #

Dylan Days 2011 included several pieces of my own. Thanks, Jessica!

A Little Bit of Luke Holden, and a Lot More

Luke Holden, 2012

On an evening like this last spring I met Luke Holden, a young artist from the Bemidji area whose work was being displayed at the Ochre Ghost Gallery. The Ghost continues to be a nice little gallery for bringing people doing original and sometimes unconventional contemporary work to a wider public.

Tonight is the culmination of NXN visual arts week here and there will be a lot to see so plan your evening well in advance. In addition to the traditional trio of galleries doing the Second Friday Night Art Crawl (Washington, Ochre and Prove) there is also an opening in a new space across the street from the Prove. Be sure to check out Luminaries at the Prove Gallery and #RadioPluto at The Gardner Building across the way.

But don't stop there. There are happenings at the Duluth Photography Institute, Northern Prints Gallery, Pineapple Arts, and a gallery Skywalk Tour.

Over in Souptown is the Goin' Postal Spring Show featuring new work by Carla Magnuson, Jeredt Runions, Dustin Keliin, Becky Brandt, Anthony Sclavi, Andrew Perfetti, Lindsey Graskey, Justin Sinks, Matt Stengl, John Heino, Tal Lindblad, Colin Wiita, Big Andy, Chelsea Miller, Eric Horn, Tara Stone, Christian Dalbec, Sharon Rogers, Mike Trepanier and yours truly. I've  decided to auction off my John & Yoko tonight, so if you are one of the several people who've asked for pricing over the past year, you may want to get a bid in.

As I said, plan the evening well so you know where you want to end the later part of the evening. Prove is open till 11:00 p.m. and the Goin' Postal Show is throwing an afterparty at Bev's Jook Joint next door with several stellar local performers, The Tico Three, Five Pints of Rye, Next of Kin and Dennis.

But first, let's hear what Luke Holden has to say about making art.

EN: How and when did you come to take an interest in art? 
LH: My parents are artists and they've always encouraged me to paint and draw.

EN: Where did you study? 
LH: I studied visual art at Perpich Center for Arts Education, aka: "the arts hi" in Golden Valley MN. Most recently I am studying printmaking at Bemidji State University.

EN: Who are your favorite artists and why? 
LH: My favorite artists are my friends, because when you know the artist it makes the work more meaningful. It tells things about the person.

EN: Where do you live and what do you currently do for a living? 
LH: I live in Bemidji. I am a student worker in the screenprinting studio at BSU. I am also a personal care attendant for an adult with autism.

EN: You like to draw. Describe how that started and how you developed your style. 
LH: I travel alot and it’s easy to keep a sketchbook. Drawing is the foundation of alot of other processes and I probably will never master it. My style is sloppy, basically. I like drawing fast and not fussing with it much. I've noticed I draw best when I'm distracted, like on the telephone. Theres something about things coming out of my hands without alot of intention. I like that.

EN: Do you have a name for you style? 
LH: No, I don't have a name besides sloppy.

EN: Where can people see more of your work? 
LH: People can see more of my work in the basement of the Bemidji Community Art Center where my studio is. Also at random art shows in Northern Minnesota!

Here are a few additional pieces from last year's show.

Summing Up Last Night's Art Stroll

Uppercut by Tyler Johnson

Over the past several years we've gotten spoiled. Warm weather came early, and Jack Frost recoiled northward. Not so in 2013 as we've just been docked with more than a foot of snow and drifts as high as three feet in certain places around our property. Naturally when spring comes early I remind people that it wasn't that long ago we had eight-inch snowstorms on the second and third weekends of May. And three years ago I had to wear gloves in July. So, let's just make those necessary mental adjustments and get on with it.

Despite being snowed in all day yesterday, I was able to make it out to several art openings on Second Friday downtown here in Duluth. Another great evening of art and social experiences.

We started at the Washington Gallery where Flo Matamoros and Tyler Johnson were displaying original work in the two regions of the gallery. Both are younger artists expressing themselves in different styles. Matamoros presented images she created using a Sharpie on cardstock or on wood panels. Most were simple but some exemplified a greater complexity, playing off the natural grain of the wood. She also showed several paintings for a total of 30 pieces.

Detail from "Practice Makes Perfect"

Johnson, who is a fledgling staffer at the Duluth Art Institute, presented some interesting work that became moreso as you dug into it. Many of the pieces conveyed a recurring sports motif and I inquired as to its significance. Johnson said that he'd been reflecting on American ideals and certainly sports has become a high profile example of what our country seems to be about. He asks the question, "Why is the Golden Boy our standard?"

Detail from "Practice Makes Perfect"

The pieces themselves varied but always gave a sense that there was more there than meets the eye. That is, were one to ask about what was going on in the pieces we'd have a good evening of discussion going. On one wall, for example, there is an X and an O, with the football characters interspersed strategically here and there. Upon further investigation I learned that the X and O were derived from the X's and O's that coaches make when outlining a play on the drawing board. "Wilson, you go here and Swanny will hit you on three."

Interestingly enough much of Jen Dietrich's exhibit at the PROVE Gallery also featured sports related iconography. Dietrich the football fan has made visual some interesting observations about gender perceptions by superimposing the images of powerful women over NFL legends. We see Hillary Clinton paired with Dick Butkus, except the all-star middle linebacker is only visible through Ms. Clinton's features, not alongside it. Mike Ditka and Gloria Steinem share another composition, as do Vince Lombardi and Elanor Roosevelt among others.

A handout helped explain the backstory for these pieces. "This new body of work investigates my all-consuming obsession with American cultural identity as well as personal identity." It's interesting that when men are aggressive it can be deemed strength and leadership, but when women are aggressive they are deemed bitchy.

Dietrich also presented a set of seven compositions featuring Ed Hochulis, a lawyer who has become one of the most popular referees in NFL history.

Sandy Gillespie

The dynamic work of Sandy Gillespie filled the back half of the gallery. Gillespie is a Minneapolis artist who has recently returned to the midwest after 22 years in Alaska in order to be near her children and grandchildren. The new work expresses her struggle through this year of transition, what she calls her "personal conversation with loss and grief, betrayal and anger." The materials she works with are uncommon: encaustic, journal pages, hair, nails and acupuncture needles.

We strolled down the alley to Ochre Ghost after this, which brought us into the psychedelic mindscape of Zachary Moser. The space had been converted into a multi-media montage of images, animations and something wholly other. The show was titled New Mythology: An Installation by Zachary Moser. If you missed it because the weather held you back, they will be opening their doors this afternoon from 4 - 5 p.m.


Meantime... life goes on. Keep your eyes open and take it in.

Recommendations for Tomorrow Night and Beyond

“A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having.” ~ V for Vendetta

Seems like a good time for recommendations again. Last week I was quite pleasantly surprised that though the Trib has a Best Bets column in the Wave on Thursdays, it seemed like none of the items they covered were duplicated in my Thursday Best Bets posting. Even more exciting to me was seeing Ann Klefstad’s column in the Transistor and discovering that we had covered completely mostly different regions of the arts scene. In short, there is a lot happening in the Twin Ports and we could use a few more journalists to cover the beat.

This week it's not the case. The Trib's Wave includes the Second Friday art walk amongst it's Twin Ports offerings this morning. Tomorrow is the Second Friday visual arts action downtown and it should be a fabulous evening with openings at Washington Galleries, Ochre Ghost and the PROVE once again. If you are reading this from points south, east or west, know that we’ve still got blankets of snowfall here as Jack Frost seems fairly adamant about not releasing his grip with those icy winter fingers of his. That shouldn't stop anyone from getting out. Just be careful about parking on the avenues.

On to the shows:

Washington Galleries
Heart and Soul

I'm looking forward to tomorrow's openings. Duluth artists Flo Matamoros and Tyler Johnson open an exhibition of paintings and multimedia art beginning April 5 and showing through April 14 at Washington Gallery. The artist reception will be held Friday, April 12 from 6-9pm. In addition to the art, there will be others joining in to make it a special evening including Bob Monahan,performing some Spoken Word, plus melodies and tunes by Jacob Swanson, Kathryn Schumacher and Yester. Matamoros does oil painting but in this show will be sharing her meditative line art produced with Sharpies. Johnson produces multi-media work with varying levels of complexity. It will be my first stop tomorrow evening.

Ochre Ghost
New Mythology
Features a multimedia installation by Zachary Moser.

PRØVE Gallery
ImPULSE
New work by Jen Dietrich and Sandy Gillespie. This is a show I have been especially looking forward to. Atmosphere and music throughout the opening night will be provided by the Crunchy Bunch. Refreshments will be provided by Lake Superior Brewing. As Always, all these events are free and open to the public. 

UMD Kirby Plaza
21st-Century Publishing: Industry, Media, and the Future of Print
Tomorrow's publishing conference might be something you won't want to miss if you're a writer or in any way interested in current trends in the publishing industry. They would like people to register in advance so if you're interested in learning more, or attending, visit their web pages here. The publishing world has undergone an incredible transformation. I'm certain that tomorrow's event will only scratch the surface. It should be a good experience for all who attend.

Phantom Galleries
Seeding the Next Generation
Saturday there's a student art show in Superior. You might want to head over there in the afternoon to the Phantom Galleries New York Building location from 1-5 p.m. The show will feature student artists from Superior High School and Northwestern High School-Maple. 1412 Tower Ave, Superior.

And as if this weren't enough, wait till we start moving into the events of North x North Twin Ports Arts Month, beginning with Homegrown. Having so much happening is a blessing a curse. Many events will require hard decisions, choices betwixt and between.  The two-day Steampunk Extravaganza at the DAI will be a thrill, except Scarlet Rivera is also in town with Gene LaFond and his Wild Unknown on that Friday for Hard Rain In Duluth: After the Flood. I use this only as an example of the challenges that lie ahead.

When you absolutely don't know where to go, take a stroll on the Lakewalk and let the fresh breeze wash over you till your head is clear and your heart swept away.

Meantime life goes on all around you.

Serious Whimsy to Spectacle, 5 Art Exhibitions Opened Last Night in Duluth

Mary Hunt's "Privacy No More" was original and mentally stimulating.

Mother Nature was kind for a March evening of art openings in the Northland. You could have left your scarves and gloves home while traipsing about the downtown art scene here in Duluth last night.

Just for the Season Gallery featured paintings and prints by Doris Sampson, and it was good to see Doris again. Earlier in the afternoon she did some live painting. She continues to be productive and has produced some colorful new work using various effects. As I spoke to others later in the evening I discovered that quite a few were unaware of this gallery tucked in to the Holiday Center. If you find yourself in the vicinity be sure to stop in and see the range of local artists represented.

Sculpture by Ares

Washington Gallery featured work by two women artists new to the area, Monica Ares and Mary Hunt. Both are doing imaginative original work. It's my hope to learn more about their stories and share more of their work here. Hunt, who received her MFA at the University of Delaware, has produced an array of pieces that explore one of the challenges of living in a digital age. A "digital artist with the heart of a painter" is one way she has been described. An innovative explorer working outside the boundaries of any specific medium is how I would describe her.

Ares, too, had a fascinating exhibit. Like Hunt, she works in a variety of media. A Native American who has spent a good deal of time in the Southwest, she feels at home here in Northland. Her show is titled Beneath Perceptions. Both artists will have their work in the Washington Gallery thru the end of March.

Ochre Ghost had Andy Hardman's photography on display. This particular show featured photos from a nine month stint in New York at the Webster Music Hall. The images are striking.

LaMahieu's work made me hungry to see more

Double Dutch is the newest addition the Second Friday gallery romp, and a welcome one at that. Once again there was not only music and art, but also poetry as Bob Monohan of Chaperone Records showcased some new material and dusted off a few older favorites. Though a relatively small space on the corner of Lake Avenue and Superior Street, it's a comfortable little world with a lot to see. Last night featured art by Brian Ring and Ryan LaMahieu.

And then there was the PRØVE. Packed, as usual, with friends of the artists and the growing community of fans here. There was plenty to chew on here with an assortment of artists assembled under the rubric TEXT. Music by SNOBARN capped the evening. I can't say enough about the vibes last night. Except that by the time I got home the music scene was only beginning. Great to see everyone last night. Thanks to all who have contributed to make it happen.

The Versatile Doris Sampson and More, March 8

Snapshot of Doris Sampson's more recent interests.

Duluth, MN ~ Tomorrow night's gallery hopping here in the Twin Ports has some extra-special treats. In addition to the TEXT show at the Prove which I shared here Tuesday there are the usual events at Ochre Ghost and Washington Gallery, and there are bonus openings at Double Dutch, on the corner of Lake and Superior, and Doris Sampson's opening at Just for the Season Gallery in the Holiday Center. The time to plan your trek is now.

I'm willing to guess that everyone in the region is familiar with Sampson's work but doesn't know it. Her series of paintings featuring the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and subsequent rescue efforts can be seen in numerous locations around the Twin Ports, from the Canal Park Marine Museum to Fitzgerald Hall in the DECC to the reception areas of numerous Twin Ports business establishments. Her skills in are well honed when painting realism, especially the angry sea.

But Sampson is much more than this. I visited her home/studio in West Duluth a couple years ago and was impressed by her range. She is a superb draftsperson who has creatively poured herself into her work for over four decades now. I look forward to seeing what she exhibits tomorrow because Ms. Sampson not only has an imagination, but the talent to do something with it.

Sampson's show is called The Versatility of Doris Sampson, and if you're available during the day she's doing an artist demonstration from noon till 3 p.m. Opening reception will be from 4 p.m. till 7 p.m.  Just for the Season Gallery isn't "just for the season" and if you work downtown you should make it a monthly destination to see what's new. Sampson's work will be featured there through the end of March.

Double Dutch at 1 W. Superior St. is a welcome addition to the gallery crawl that takes place on the second Friday each month downtown.  Tomorrow eve they will feature artwork by Brian Ring and Ryan LeMahieu with an opening reception from 6-9 p.m.

Over at the Ochre Ghost photographer Andy Hartman is showing his work from 7-11 p.m., two blocks down the alley from the Prove show that is featuring 19 artists this month. And two blocks up the hill from the TEXT Show you'll find a two woman show by artists Mary Hunt and Monica Ares. Their opening runs from 4:30-8 p.m, so my guess is to catch it all, you may start with Just for the Season, hop up to Washington and then find a place to park down on First Street. (That's my plan, anyways.)

Hunt’s show is titled “Privacy No More,” dealing with privacy in a digital age. Hunt has an MFA from the University of Delaware but left academia eight years ago to work on her own. She now lives and works in Washington Studios Artist Cooperative.

Ares’ exhibit is titled “Beneath Perceptions.” Her images are created with various media including oil on masonite, graphite on Mylar and more. Personally, I can't wait to take it all in.

Hope to see you on the scene.

Intersecting Collaborations: Friday Happenings in the Twin Ports

Gary Reed's "A Cross To Bare" at Superior Lib.

Friday evening, the 8th, was an exciting evening for the arts here in the Twin Ports. In what is becoming an established tradition now, the second Friday of each month is a coordinated gallery opening amongst the three visual arts spaces PROVE Collective, Ochre Ghost and Washington Galleries. And for the third consecutive year Superior Public Library hosted its Love Your Local Artist event which this year attracted the art and handiwork of 37 local and regional artisans.

As in year's past sweet sounds from a string chamber quartet swam through the air like a gentle breeze. Superior's Friends of the Library generously supplied an assortment of cookies, fruit, crackers and cheeses, and some wondrous fudge, amongst other things.  And there was was wine.

Something I have found interesting is how many people in Duluth seem to be unaware of what is happening on the Superior side of the bridge, as if it were a foreign country. It is only five minutes away by bridge (maybe seven) and Duluthians are missing out on some very special places over there. And yet, when I asked various attendees at the Superior event if they were going to cross over to Duluth for the art shows there, most did not plan to do so for various reasons. I really do like the slogan I heard from a Superior artist last year: "It's just a bridge. Get over it." It goes both ways.

By the time I departed Superior more than 150 people had already come in, and more were coming. But I was off to the Washington Gallery where Ryan Tischer's Bound to the Light II was being presented. The new photography by Tischer is large and quite impressive. Some, like Earth's Womb, are 38"x 50" and one image titled Golden Narrows is an imposing 38"x 85". With the exception of his "Last Glimpse" all the photos were presented on gallery wrapped canvas.

Next stop was Emily Wendland's Transcendental Terrain accompanied by the musical expressions of Marc Gartman's Fever Dream. Gartman opened for Low at Mitchell Auditorium this past month. This mix of music and art has a lot going for it. The PRØVE has been doing this some in its second year, and it has worked well in other venues from The Red Mug to Washington where Andrew Floberg's work was specially enhanced by the seasoning of sound.

Wendland is clearly a talented young artist doing some original work. In addition to mixed media drawings and paintings there were a few pieces with three-dimensional objects assembled in a form of terrain. I inquired about the shapes and she said she was fascinated by spores. I found her art invigorating and it made me wish to see and hear more.

Heading down the alley we quickly arrived at the PRØVE for its Bitters show, which would also play host to a poetry reading at 8:30. Bitters, curated by poet Kathleen Roberts who joined the collective last summer, focused on the dark side of Valentine's Day. Thematically, some of the work was challenging.

The six poets who shared were the highlight for me, a rich dessert after numerous courses of deliciousness. Roberts opened the first set of four poets with a piece titled, "For My Boyfriend After His One Night Stand." Her poems were personal and visceral, setting the table for what would follow, a mix of pointed vexation, caustic humor and unpalatable heartbreak.

Amy Lynn, who teaches writing at UMD and recently celebrated her first year in the Twin Ports with a poetry reading at Beaners, followed. Lynn's literary skills have been well honed. She read at least four poems: Fruition, Adultery, Conflagration and The Revisionist. With vivid imagery she mastered the room.

It was impressive to see the packed gallery so attentive and responsive to these poets. The next two presenters were from the poetry slam school, not just reading their work but elevating it to theater.

Seth Feralin of St. Paul began by stating, "I live in desperate search for self." His delivery was polished as he performed poems like "Clayton" and "Misogyny in Rap Music" which was a powerful indictment of rap scenes toleration and promotion of abuse and hatred of women. There were many rich lines and a lot of amens would have been shouted had this been a Pentecostal church instead of a poetry reading. (O.K., some of the imagery would not be used in a pulpit.)

Paris Kelvakis raised the energy level with poems like "The Pimp's Paradox" and stories about pigs and betrayal. He called his last piece about the Portuguese Man-O-War the most important poem he's ever written, its theme being the necessary interconnectedness we all share.

After a short intermission, Kat M and Louis Mundt finished the night. Kat, whom readers of the Reader recently anointed Best Actress in the Twin Ports, was in top form with her delivery of a pointed piece titled "I Get You." Lines like "You are a volunteer who caught me unconcerned," and "I will take you for granted; it will be effortless" plunged deep as cold steel into warm flesh. Louis Mundt drew the performance to a close. 

Based on the caliber of talent represented, it would not surprise me to learn that someone in this room would be a future poet laureate somewhere.

Playground at the PRØVE and Infinity Down the Alley

Dylan in Profile at the PRØVE tonight.

Tonight once again three downtown galleries have coordinated their openings for a very special evening with plenty of variety and something for everyone. Yesterday I mentioned the photography exhibit that opens tonight at Washington Galleries. Simultaneously, the Ochre Ghost Gallery is celebrating its two year anniversary with a very special installation titled Infinity part 1: new installation work by Kathy McTavish and Jacob Swanson. Infinity part 1 is a collaborative multimedia and video installation that calls itself "a meditation on repetition, death, life and the correlation between the finite and the infinite." This event will run from 6:00 p.m. till ten. 

For those familiar with the downtown gallery scene, the two newest galleries are two blocks from one another and, along with the Washington Galleries, they've been coordinating quite a few of their monthly shows to coincide with the second Friday of each month. It's a great concept. With high gas prices you don't need to make three trips to town to hit three openings. There are plenty of eating places in the heart of town now as well, from Pizza Luce (with art on the walls) to Tycoon's (a work of art in itself) to Zeitgeist Cafe (with art on the walls) to Blackwater across the street (with Maxi Childs and band playing live jazz to tickle your bones.) And that's just scratching the surface.

The PRØVE Show Tonight

When I first saw the call go out for tonight's show, themed Playground, I did not connect it to its larger context, the commencement of the academic year. The theme carried with it a sense of playfulness, or whimsy. But unlike most of the other shows this past year, Playground will also include a storyteller hour from 8-9 p.m. Younger ones (i.e. kids) are encouraged to attend with several storytellers slated to entertain. The usual music by the Crunchy Bunch will also be on the docket before and after (show runs from 7 to 11) with beverages provided by Lake Superior Brewing Company.

Last night I checked out some of the work that we being placed on the walls and am certain you'll enjoy this show. Kate Renee's Hungry Hippo Series is fun and bright. But there's a lot more.

Here are three of my own pieces that were accepted and which will be on display.

Man with Hooked Nose
11”x 14” ~ $95

Faces seem to be a recurring theme in much of my work. I believe this fascination with faces is tied to something innate in our being human. This whimsical expression came from a deep place in the whirl within. Or maybe it was just scratched off the surface. Who knows. It seems to receive a lot of comments whenever I have shown it.

Dylan in Profile
24”x 36” ~ $495
This improbably piece was created in the most whimsical manner possible. At the end of an evening of painting in my studio, I took my pallet and flattened it into the center of an abstract background that had been sitting idle on one of my easels. When I pulled my pallet away, it seemed as if there was a profile of Dylan which I proceeded to enhance to create this which you now see. Sort of like finding a portrait of Lincoln inside a seashell. And even if it's not Dylan, it's colorful and was fun to see unfold. Many of my pieces begin with abstraction from which faces emerge. My Blue Van Gogh was created in a similar manner as this.

Lookin’ Out My Back Door 
13”x 10” ~ $95

Spring, summer and fall my garage studio gives me the space to work large and move about freely in a more expansive manner. My winter space in the basement is somewhat more restrictive and I usually work on a smaller scale. Several years ago I began painting with inks in the winter season, fascinated with the way the colors interact with the paper. Sometimes, coming up with titles is as fun as making the pictures themselves. “Lookin’ Out My Door” was the first title that came to mind when I lifted my brush from the surface on its completion.

The weather is going to be very nice this evening. Be sure to stop and say "Hi" if you're in the neighborhood. 

Getting Kate Renee's Hungry Hippo Series ready to hang.

Lyle Lovett, Wynn Davis and Tomorrow Night's Gallery Action

I was first introduced to Lyle Lovett's music in 1987. I'd never heard of him, but the deadpan wit and spot on melancholy in his delivery riveted me. I often say I am not into country music, but Lyle is so distinctly Lyle he doesn't fit that category for me. The layered sensitivity in a simple song like "If I Had a Boat" won me immediately. The somewhat ribald playfulness in a song like "Hot To Go" only set the hook deeper. His "sound" incorporates the best of American jazz, country, blues, rock and folk traditions in that unique style that can be only described as Lyle. If you haven't got your tickets yet, he will be playing here in Duluth July 20 at the DECC.

If you choose to miss the show, there's plenty more to do that weekend. Artist Wynn Davis will be showing his drawings at an opening hosted by the Ochre Ghost Gallery on Second Avenue East. Davis is an exceptional draftsman who recently illustrated Charlie Parr's latest CD. "Post-education I have had the time to steer and develop my ideas and draftsmanship via the medium of graphite drawing," Davis said. "I reached a point with photography where the print could no longer be a means to an end, especially with how I wanted to communicate my ideas visually. Photography obviously still plays a major influence as both a tool and a vehicle for inspiration." Originally from Wisconsin, the artist said he plans to move to the Twin Ports in the near future, yet one more asset joining the scene here. This Ochre Ghost show will open July 20 and remain up through August 4. Look for a more complete interview with Wynn Davis next week either in The Reader or here at Ennyman's Territory.

THIS WEEK'S GALLERY ACTION starts tonight at the Duluth Art Institute beginning at 5:00 with a show suitably titled Summer Gallery Celebration. The show features the art of cartoonist Chris Monroe and illustrator Tasha Tudor. According to The Wave, "The Summer Gallery Celebration marks the opening of Monroe’s show and will include sidewalk chalk, cotton candy and maybe a surprise visit from Chico Bon Bon."  Not sure who Chico Bon Bon is, but it might be Duluth's version of Superior's Phantom of the Galleries. Guess we'll find out tonight.

Tomorrow night the PRØVE Collective's ninth show is titled Slow Motion. Curated by Nicolas Monson I will be giving a full preview tomorrow morning here at Ennyman's Territory. For a sneak preview of what to expect, visit the Wikipedia page dedicated to Alexander Calder.

From 6-9 two blocks up the hill you'll want to see Andrew Floberg's Rectifying the Door Through a Separate Moment at Washington Gallery. Floberg works with watercolor pencil, graphite and mixed media. “My paintings are representing by way of portraiture, the phantasmagorical personalities from fictitious characters of an enchantingly hexed and antithetic venue, enraptured and entangled betwixt time.” After tomorrow's opening Rectifying will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5 pm, or by appointment, through July 29. The Washington Gallery is is part of the Washington Studios Artist Cooperative, a community housing facility for artists. The co-op is owned by Artspace Projects, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit, and managed by Bowman Properties of Duluth.

AND FINALLY, there will be a free screening of Chris Marker's A Grin Without A Cat at Ochre Ghost, beginning at 7:00. Described by Marker as "scenes of the Third World War," this epic film-essay covers the worldwide political wars of the 60's and 70's: Vietnam, Bolivia, May '68, Prague, Chile, and the fate of the New Left. The Ochre Ghost team is showing this film to celebrate the unofficial opening of their Small Print Social Club - Zine Library and Book Store! The film will be shown in two parts starting at 7:00 PM sharp with one intermission.

Just another amazing weekend here in the North Country. And I haven't even touched on all the theater happening this weekend, including Hair. It's here! In the meantime, I do hope to see you out and about. Enjoy the shows.