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.