Gallery Nights in Downtown Racine begin Saturday

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.

Madonna & Child Interpreted through January 13

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

watercolor by Racine artist Joyce Ottum

I would like to begin this blog as simply as possible with an image of December beauty, with thanks to the artist Joyce Ottum. She has many fans in the Racine area, and is in the collection of the Racine Art Museum. Her private collectors can often be heard saying things like, "I have 9 Joyce Ottums!"

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm very proud to say she's my grandmother and very talented. She worked as a fashion illustrator for publications and daily newspapers before fashion photography changed the industry. While best known now for her impressionist landscapes, I adore the pieces that show her background in illustration. Joyce captures fleeting gestures and postures brilliantly.

And, her memories are fascinating. I'd probably have months of blogging if I just shared her life stories. 

On future days, I hope to talk about all the people, moments and things of beauty that bring me joy. I will do so with gratitude.