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.