Dylan Inspires Visual Artists, Too

Bob Dylan's creative spirit delivers inspiration in a variety of ways. One of these has been the inspiration he's generated in the visual arts. While exploring the various other facets of Expecting Rain this past winter I clicked on the Exhibition tab and discovered a four page gallery of artwork by Dylan Fans. The visual arts have been part of the Northland's Dylan celebrations for some time as well. Here are a few selections from Expecting Rain and our own local artist community.

Bob Dylan (Paul Butler)

Triumph (Jack McInroy)

In Dylan There Is Light (Mike Fratangelo)

Bob Dylan (Claude-Angele BONI)

Young Bob (Becky Perfetti)

Blowin' in the Wind (Ed Newman)

Forever Young (Daniel Botkin)

Looking Back (Margie Helstrom)

Later today local musicians will be performing at the Duluth Does Dylan Volume V release party across the bridge at Earth Rider Festival Field on North 3rd Street in Superior, 6-9:30 p.m. Here's a full schedule of the rest of this week's Duluth Dylan Fest events. 

For more Dylan-Inspired Visual Art

Like Dylan, Daniel Botkin Reconfigures American Classics

Ed Newman's Flickr Gallery of Dylan Paintings

Duluth Dylan Fest Art Exhibit at Zeitgeist... and the Week Rolls On

Monday evening was the opening reception for our Duluth Dylan Fest art show. 

Art was always included as a part of Hibbing's Dylan Days and as fans are aware,  

Dylan himself has always been active in the visual arts.

Thank you to all the artists who contributed to make this event special.

"Finding Shelter from the Storm" -- Kathryn E. Lenz

"Head in the Clouds" -- Kris Nelson

"Her Neighbors Understood" -- S. Flip

"Keeping Time" -- Kim Buskala

"Washed Ashore" -- Kris Nelson

"The Origen of Progenies" -- Tim Beaulier

"Bob" -- Margie Helstrom

"Around and Further" -- Adam Swanson

* * * *

Tom O'Keefe and Friends
Tom Franzig, Darryl Yahnke, Tom O'Keefe and Scott Junkert

AFTER THE RECEPTION 

there was an open jam at Carmody's.

Photos courtesy Michael Anderson

Zane, Ed & Mark

Full schedule of upcoming events can be found at BobDylanWay.com

THIS WEEK ONLY 

Enter HERE to win a One-of-a-Kind 

Dylan-Themed T-Shirt Quilt

Throwback Thursday: Five Years Ago Today

Gangnam Style at Chalk Fest 2013

What follows is a blog entry from July 10, 2009, Tools of the Trade. Other events on his day include Howard Hughes' record flight around the world in  91 hours (1938), and the opening day of what became known as the Scopes Monkey Trial in Dayton, TN. (1925) A Bible Belt town, there are still no liquor stores in Dayton. If you go out to eat you can only order beer and but you can bring your own wine if you know where to get it. (Hint: Pick up your wine at Wal-Mart.)

On this day in 1999 the U.S. Women's Soccer Team won the World Cup. his coming Sunday it will be Germany vs. Argentina for the Men's World Cup final.

Before diving into it, here's a quick recap of art-themed events happening this weekend. For full details see Monday's blog post.

Tonight
Sue Rauschenfels opening at Beaners.
The Chef is playing at Zinema in the Zeitgeist Building
Friday
Brent Kustermann @ Washington Gallery
TYPES @ The Prove
Swedish Immigration Opening Reception @ Nordic Center
Pineapple Arts 4th Year Celebration
Friday-Saturday
3rd Annual Chalk Fest in Two Harbors

Tools of the Trade
Every trade has its tools, and the visual arts is no exception. For drawing I have used a variety of pens, though for more than a decade I favored the Rapid-o-graph with its even lines and uninterrupted ink flow. If I had more time I would do more with pencils, but they are currently not my strongest suit. Instead, I favor brushes. I simply love the process of applying paint, ink or pigment by means of brushes.

Some of my brushes have been with me since my Ohio University days in the early 7o's. A few have been used so passionately for so long that they are practically nubs.

To the uninitiated a brush is a brush is a brush. But the reality is that brushes vary in type and style because they have different functions. Each applies color or pigment in a different manner, and the brush makes a difference in the outcome. Not only are the styles, sizes and shapes different, but the bristles themselves are made of different materials, from synthetic to camel's hair.

Many brushes are designed for special effects, such as the fan brush or the liner brush. Certain brushes are useful for scrubbing the paint into the canvas and some for laying it on thick, such as the mop brush. (I suppose if you had a really large canvas you might enjoy trying to use a mop itself.)

Some artists are adept at painting with a palette knife, which lays down paints in a thick coat or scrapes off areas for alternative effects.

And occasionally, the fingertips make a good tool for applying color. I have used my fingertips in many paintings, sometimes to apply the pigment as a woman would apply mascara. And sometimes to spray the paint across the surface for special effects.

Speaking of spraying, I have even used a toothbrush for a few pieces. The stiff bristles make an excellent mechanism for spattering, and even for rubbing it in. I am referring to discarded toothbrushes, not the one I am about to brush my teeth with.

You probably didn't know, though you might have guessed, that the various parts of a brush each have names, from toe, bristles and belly to heel, ferrule (the metal part that holds everything together) and handle. The heel, the portion of the fibers underneath the ferrule) is not visible. Many of my brushes have had their toes worn off. And a couple have no belly left either. I still love what they can do.

For the record, I love my large paint brushes, too, from my days painting houses and apartments. Maybe some other time I can talk about those dear old friends as well. For the record there is one rule especially important whether working with art brushes or large paint brushes: clean them. You can't ignore this important need. Take the time it takes, don't shortcut this basic maintenance reality. It's like friendship. You just have to give it the time it needs or you will ruin a good thing. Then you'll have to start all over...

The two images here are ink on paper. I have fallen in love with the way ink works, whether for wet applications or dry brush techniques. And both of these are on the wall at my show this month at The Venue @ Mohaupt, at 2024 West Superior Street here in Duluth. Hope you can make it.

[EdNote: This Venue show, titled First Hand Experiences and which exhibited five years ago this month,  was my first in over thirty years, featured 130 piece.]

Love Your Local Artists.... Four Twin Ports Arts Events Worth Checking Out

Zentangle-inspired work by Esther Piszczek

"Art is the signature of civilizations." ~Beverly Sills

Here are four Twin Ports visual arts events to note as we move closer to the weekend....

"Roots of Expression" by River
6:00 Reception, 7:00 Poetry Reading at Beaners Central
I met poet River Urke last summer at a poetry reading downtown. A Duluth native who currently lives in Stillwater, she's returning to share her first solo art show, Roots of Expression. I should have known something was up when I ran into her in front of Beaners last fall. Kudos to Jason Wussow for all the great events he hosts, making Beaners one of the most popular venues in the Northland.

A multimedia artist, River will share a collection of art from paintings to photography blended with poetic imagery from her upcoming book, Spirit Songs, the story of a woman’s journey of self-discovery on a trail of forgotten roots. After the readings from River and Rocky Makes Room, there will be live music from Lyz Jaakola and the Smokin Chimooks. Free

Esther Piszczek's 'Reflections'
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Red Mug
Start your weekend right.  Stop to take in Esther Piszczek's opening at The Red Mug in Superior'as former Board of Trade Building. If you're coming over from Duluth, it's right on the way to the next event listed here. Though the Red Mug will be showing her Zentangle-inspired art for the entire month of February, you might as well stop by and meet the artist in person. Opening starts at 5:00.

Love Your Local Artist

5:30 - 8:00 Friday at the Superior Library
Valentine-themed art shows are running rampant again as The Friends of the Superior Public Library hosts its fourth annual Love Your Local Artist event from 5:30-8 p.m. Friday at the Superior Public Library.

I've attended every one and can tell you this is a very special event. Last year there were almost 30 artists with work displayed, near double the first year of this event. A string quartet has been on had playing chamber music the past three years and the atmosphere is lively. It's free and everyone is invited.

8th Annual Love at the Snoodle
Saturday evening, the Snoodle Gallery is hosting its very last annual art exhibition at their current location near the Lake Superior Zoo. The theme: Blast Off. By June 2014 Tonya Borgeson hopes to be fully moved. The state of Minnesota is purchasing the Snoodle property, an exciting time for the studio with a lot of changes planned for its future. So this year's Love at the Snoodle is an all out blow out. As in the past they will be exhibiting over 25 artists, including at least one piece by yours truly titled "Play With Matches and You Get Burned." There will  performances, music and light refreshments. The artist reception is Feb. 8th from 5:00-9:00 pm.in the studio and gallery, with the Exhibit running for the duration of February. All in the spirit of LOVE.

Here's the activities menu:
5:00 celebration/ Art Exhibition reception starts
5:30-6:30 music in studio by Aurora Baer
6:30 Spin Collective - Fire spinners performance
6:45 High Pony Dance Project - Dance performance
7:15 Bionic Wow- Puppet Show
7:30-9:00 music in studio by Sonja Bjordal, Big Country and Dean Harris Wolfson


Reminder: Tweevenings is tonight at the Tweed.  Ann Klefstad will share how visuality both within and beyond the Western influence links daily life, spiritual life, and natural sciences, including math. Klefstad is a deep well of insight on all things art. She will present and discuss works by artists Dennis White, John Sims, and Frank Big Bear, as well as a carved spoon from the Rawlings Nelson Collection of American Indian Art. The talk begins at 6:30.


HOT OFF THE PRESS
My first volume of short stories, Unremembered Histories, is now available at Amazon.com. Reader feedback has been very positive, with the exception of my mom who said the stories were "Weird." Well, it's not the first time a mother failed to understand her son.