ArtBook Minimalist Edition

Today, ArtBook posted its special summer edition featuring camera phone photographs. I'm thrilled to have four of my images included, such as the one I've featured above entitled Departure.

I made the photograph at The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread last summer while RAM was preparing for the Polymer Symposium that then took place in October 2011. I discovered that the convention site offers these Trek bicycles for use during a stay on their beautiful property near the lakeshore.

Late afternoon sun contributed to this dramatic image of the blue bikes, which all made me wish I had time to go for a ride.

The entire summer 2012 issue may be found at:
http://issuu.com/artbookmke/docs/artbooksummerspecial

Gallery Night Tonight!

Thrilled to be included in this show curated from the 2012 Art Marathon. I'm really pleased with the three works that were selected. Plus, they represent a new photography project.

For me, the marathon accomplished its goal: inspiration.

During the 30 days of the event, I made art nearly every day. Additionally, I began a website redesign for my photography site.

A big thank you to Cream City Illustrators for jumpstarting a bout of creativity.

Also, while you travel the streets of Milwaukee during Gallery Night & Day, please consider donating to the Center Street Artists Relief Fund. There will be red canisters all over town. You may also donating online by clicking here. Proceeds help those effected by last week's five alarm fire in Riverwest.

In Memoriam: Max

Max.

Whenever I called his name, he would come. Max could be doing something he loved - sleeping, eating, basking in the sun - would stop, and run to me on his furry paws. The fluffy fur on his back legs always made him look like he was wearing Russian pants, tucked into tall boots.

Max was impressively kind, infallibly friendly. Sometimes, it would seem like he was making arrangements for his next home by sitting blissfully on the laps of strangers. In fact, he was singularly loyal. Max just loved people, and didn't mind loud noises, amplifiers, or housewarming parties.

He did mind the vacuum.

Max weathered every transition of my adult lifetime, hoping only for pets between his ears, a constant supply of food, and whenever possible, water directly from the bathroom faucet. He also coveted buffalo chicken wings.

My fuzzy gray cat said very little most of the time. When he did, his sweet meow could be quiet or proudly loud – crowing in the wee hours about catching his cohort Mini Max for the umpteenth time.

Mostly, Mini Max traveled mysteriously. We rarely saw them together, but we did hear Max's night time announcements about his apparent victories. One day I was particularly stealthy, and happened upon Max tossing his toy lookalike into the air - and catching him! Clearly, Max had a few secrets.

I miss him. And, I wish him hugs, pets and buffalo chicken wings in the great kitty beyond.

Art Marathon - Day 27

Excursion: Bradford Avenue. Milwaukee, Wis.
Art Marathon 2012.

Gallery Nights in Downtown Racine begin Saturday

Art Marathon - Day 26

Excursion: Bay View.
Art Marathon 2012.

Art Marathon - Day 25

This set didn't turn out quite as I'd hoped. Alas, not every creative attempt is fully successful. C'est la vie.

The good news is that this moment in time was immediately by a visit to O&H Danish Bakery in Racine to procure a delicious vanilla long john.

Excursion: Erie Street, Racine.
Art Marathon 2012.

Art Marathon - Day 24

If this were an art hike of the Appalachian Trail, rather than an Art Marathon, I would've taken two zeros this weekend. How's that for mostly esoteric lingo?

More simply put, Saturday and Sunday were days of rest. The first day was fully devoted to relaxation and the second to a host of other activities, including not just playing golf, but watching golf on TV as well. A new activity added to my list, and an enjoyable way to walk around parks in pleasant summer weather with my husband. Plus, it's fun!

So that brings us to today, this morning to be exact.

Excursion: Lower East Side, Milwaukee, Wis.
Art Marathon 2012.

Art Marathon - Day 23

Moon over Milwaukee.

Art Marathon - Day 22

Art Marathon - Day 21

With the holiday, the more usual bike trail route was teeming with runners and bicyclist on the 4th of July. After musing on how lucky we are to have the alternate route (with traffic on the roads more hectic), I decided on a detour for my return trip. At the Urban Ecology Center at Riverside Park, I took a gander at the beautiful new pedestrian bridge. Then, I headed off toward the even quieter East Bank Trail.

Once there, I encountered just one other person, and seconds later, her cheerful dog. Though the weather was already steamy, the meditative solitude on the riverfront trail was refreshing. 

Excursion: East Bank Trail
Art Marathon 2012.

Art Marathon - Day 20

On July 3, we were pleased to discover that the view from our dining room window featured Milwaukee's lakefront fireworks. Even better, in a rare occurrence, the full moon rose at center stage of the fantastic display.

The photograph was actually taken by a guest artist, my husband John Schafer.

Art Marathon 2012.

Art Marathon - Day 19

Sunrise.
Art Marathon 2012.

Art Marathon - Day 18

Before we packed up our campsite at Sanders County Park in Racine, I took another tour around the State of Wisconsin Scientific Area and Natural Area. It's an amazing microcosm of pre-settlement trees that have stood for hundreds of years in some cases.

Though small, the park and its natural area are well worth a visit.

Excursion: Sanders State Natural Area.

Cream City Illustrators Art Marathon 2012.

Art Marathon - Day 17

Berries!!

It was much cooler among the trees of the Petrifying Springs Park hiking trails, smack dab next to UW-Parkside. The park and the university sit just south of the border - of Racine and Kenosha counties.

This was our first visit to the trails, which were diverse, and sometimes, challenging. Happily, a bounty of berries sat alongside the walkway.

Excursion: Petrifying Springs Park.
Art Marathon 2012.

Art Marathon - Day 16

Excursion: State Street, Racine.

Art Marathon 2012.

Art Marathon - Day 15

Steamy.

Day 15. Excursion: Lake Drive.

Art Marathon.

Art Marathon - Day 14

Along today's walk, I made a number of photographs, many of which were to my liking. Let's say it was a particularly good day, that way. On the other hand, I didn't feel like I had as much energy as some days.

Summer boasts its compelling intensity today - warm, sunny, and full of possibility. The World's Largest Music Festival starts, and it's my friends' third wedding anniversary. Tomorrow brings my sis-in-law's birthday festivities at a campground.

Excursion: Veterans Park.

Art Marathon.

Art Marathon - Day 13

Excursion: Lakeshore State Park.

Art Marathon 2012.

Art Marathon - Day 12

(I skipped Day 11. A warm summer Sunday devoted to a pleasant hike with my Dad.)

Day 12: Weeping Willows always remind me of Patsy Cline.

Excursion: Lincoln Memorial Drive.

Art Marathon.

Art Marathon - Day 10

Excursion: Prospect Avenue.

Saturday morning, I wandered, pondered, and bought raspberries, honey, and a wooden spoon at East Town Market in Cathedral Square. The remainder of the day was restful. I read a book and chatted with my husband.

Later, we went to see Moonrise Kingdom at the ever beautiful Oriental Theater. The organ and its player retreated into the instrument's home below the stage just as we entered the lavishly historic auditorium. Wes Anderson's latest film was nostalgic and adeptly quirky. We recommend it. But, try not to eat too much popcorn.

Art Marathon 2012.

Art Marathon - Day 9

Observation: Clouds.

Art Marathon.

Art Marathon - Day 8

Sometimes, everything aligns to create loveliness.

Destination: MAM.

Art Marathon 2012.

Art Marathon - Day 7

Bonus: a half-marathon walk from Downtown Milwaukee to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center (SNAC) in celebration of the Summer Solstice.

Actually, the fact that I ended up walking a little over a half-marathon was serendipitous. I started out at 10 am with the goal to walk to the Nature Center, projected to be about 10 1/2 miles on foot by google maps. A couple of detours along the route––for iced coffee, and then later, a bagel sandwich––brought my total mileage in at about 14.

It was a beautiful day. At over 90 degrees, it was hot, but breezy respites. My trek along Lake Drive was most often shady and I owe a lot to my Camelbak.

Day 7. Art Marathon.
Excursion: Terrace Avenue was made within the first few miles of the journey. As usual, I'm attracted to the visual definition provided by interesting shadows and the existing lines of landscapes. Milwaukeeans may recognize these images as the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum.








 
Reading on the beach with a view of the infinite shades where Lake Michigan met the sky at SNAC was a perfect reward for the day's hike. 

Art Marathon - Day 6

Excursion: State Hwy 38

Art Marathon 2012: creamcityillustrators.com

Art Marathon - Day 5

Day 5. Excursion: Neighbors.

http://creamcityillustrators.com

Art Marathon - Day 4

A lovely walk on a Sunday morning began with these views of the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, designed by Eero Saarinen.

Much about this architectural icon of Milwaukee has been in the news lately, thanks to a conversation started by Mary-Louise Schumacher on Art City blog and in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

My opinion of this building has improved throughout the years. Growing up in Milwaukee, I was originally attracted to all the great art inside. Memorable field trips, trinkets from the MAM gift shop, and teenage chat sessions with my friends on the terrace overlooking the lake endeared to me all that it is.

Later––in the decade since I returned to Milwaukee––the War Memorial Center's modernist sensibility and striking mosaic facade have made it central to my understanding of the city. The structure is a gateway to the lakefront, imbued with meaning–both commemorative and nostalgic.

I tend to take lots of photos of the building and its approach flanked by American flags. I approach photography in much the same way as I do graphic design. Each image is about geometric balance, eye-pleasing lines, and appropriate white space. Shadows and light transform photographs from flat layouts into 3-D renderings. Saarinen's form offers many opportunities for successful image design.

The unique buildings that shape our city's liveliness are memorable and significant. Each one marks Milwaukee as a place of its own, unlike any other. Assisted by the Great Lake Michigan and a Midwestern practicality, our architectural palette has a lot to offer visitors and inhabitants alike.

Day 4. Excursion: Milwaukee County War Memorial Center.
http://creamcityillustrators.com

Art Marathon - Day 3

A lovely summer day spent catching up on relaxation and reading at home.

Day 3. Rejuventation: Home.

http://creamcityillustrators.com/

Art Marathon - Day 2

Day 2. Luscious.

http://creamcityillustrators.com/?p=279

Art Marathon

Thanks to Cream City Illustrators, I'll have inspiration to create art every day from June 14 to July 14 as part of their Art Marathon. While it is most likely that I'll make photographs, I hope to expand it to some other pursuits as well. Perhaps I will accomplish some collage or embroidery during the 30 days of art. Though, time does fly by.

I'll post my creations routinely on the Cream City Illustrators site at:
http://creamcityillustrators.com/

I also plan to post here as well as my facebook page from time to time through the month.

Here's to art, creativity and gratitude!

Day 1. Excursion: Four Mile Road.

What She Said now open at EFFJAY PROJEKTS Gallery in Sheboygan

Thrilled to see this preview in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Monday, May 21 for What She Said: Wisconsin Photography Now, which I co-curated with William Zuback at EFFJAY PROJEKTS Gallery, 604 Erie Avenue in Sheboygan.

Featuring contemporary art photography by Jessie Eisner-Kleyle, Jessica Kaminski, Jenaille Northey, and Nicole Peaslee, the exhibition is now open. Their work forms a quartet of unique perspectives connected by their investigation into the meaning of identity in today’s society.

Please join us for a reception on Saturday, June 2, 5 to 8 pm, with an artists' talk beginning at 6 pm.