LA-LA-LA LOLA

No drag queens but lots of artwork fit for royalty. Leapt around Longfellow neighborhood for the 2012 LOLA art crawl. Lovely weather with light traffic. This year’s map is much more accurate, which made the journey a lot easier. Multitude of artists to visit but alas I wasn’t able to stop at every location.

Despaired that several creators did not have a clear safe outside pathway for the patrons to walk or a profoundly cluttered area inside in which to view the artwork. I just hope that no potential benefactor was injured in these areas and that the homeowner has extensive insurance. It would be positive to indicate on the map the locations that are wheelchair accessible.

Kathryn Clayton and Nicole Fierce continue their development as profoundly talented artists. Both have sustained high levels of creativity after being highlighted in last year’s review. Plus, profiled via Ima’s Artist Illumination, just search their names in this blog. Please check out their websites at www.etsy.com/shop/Griffindesign and www.fiercedesignstudio.com Listed below are some amazing artists from this year’s crawl.

BEST IN SHOW
Jessica Zeglin draws sweet little critters, plants, and insects. Who knew that vermin could be so darn cute? www.theghosttest.org/art/jessica/

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
* Lois Jonet designs atmospheric windows, sun-catchers, stepping stones, and fabulous layered glass garden flowers. Truly delightful at 2009laj@gmail.com
* Mimosa Greer is a talented potter of great proportion at www.understorypottery.com
* Nancy Schultz offers a hand tye-dyed extravaganza of clothing. www.freewebs.com/schultzcolor/
* Jack Rumpel forms calm functional stoneware with soft textures. Terrific urns, nice yard, and hospitable host. www.etsy.com/shop/Griffindesign
* Chris Miller creates whimsical glass on glass mosaics, and terrific cityscapes. www.earringsforyourlean-to.blogspot.com
* Benito Medina carves kitchen implements and impish jewelry. Bmedina999@yahoo.com
* Alice Delaney sculpts colorful concrete garden art. www.garden-goddess.com
* Teresa Harsma crafts delicate paper & wire earrings and decorative books. 507-455-3677

LOLA information is posted at www.lolaartcrawl.com I apologize for the much belated issuance of this review, it has been a busy late summer.

Swarmed by art.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

ARTIST ILLUMINATION: KATHERINE CLAYTON

Feelings are the essence of Katherine Clayton’s artwork. She follows the creative trail where her emotions lead her. “An artist must be tolerant of chaos,” stated Ms. Clayton. Artists start with disorder and distill it into creativity. They can’t be on autopilot and make predictable or meticulously boring pieces. It is imperative to be open and be surprised by the result of the effort.

Katherine is a multifaceted artist who takes full advantage of pandemonium. She utilizes her University of Minnesota’s Applied Design degree in myriad facets. Her background includes working with a letterpress, crafting hand-painted wallpaper, hand-painting fabrics and pillows for interior design studios, and assisting at a garden center. She works in two-dimensional paintings, ink, floor clothes (designs and paintings on durable floor mats), collage, and sculpture (water basins and found objects meshed together). Her Kelpie horses look like they are rising out of the mist. Golden Paints is her favorite brand. www.goldenpaints.com

Not far from the rush of Minnehaha Falls cascade, Ms. Clayton is strongly inspired by nature and animals. She has a desire to share beauty with others and seeks to make life happier via art. She is also stimulated by emotions, other people’s art, and thoughts of people that she has loved and lost. As she walks her dog by the Mississippi River, she finds items that provide inspiration or for incorporation into sculpture.

Her artwork will be featured as the cover for the new novel “Someotherville” by Sheila McMahon to be published in fall 2012. She designs gardens and sells plants. She markets vintage art, restored sweaters, and clothing on E-bay. Katherine is a honey, actually, a beekeeper that harvests honey. She was born and raised in the Twin Cities area.

Ms. Clayton can be contacted at www.etsy.com/shop/GriffinDesign ; www.mnartists.org/Katherine_Clayton ; or, www.mnartists.org/Griffin_Design_Katherine_Clayton Her studio is open during the LOLA Art Crawl and by appointment. She won an “Ima Best In Show” award for 2011 Art Crawls. Read the review posted on September 21st, 2011 and summary on January 23rd, 2012. Included in this article are photos of her work, sorry for the grey area in the second image.

Nurture your nature.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

ARTIST ILLUMINATION: NICOLE FIERCE

Unblinking orange eye of Pele stares from the throbbing glory-hole waiting to envelop pure silicone crystals to return them to a liquid state. Her hot roaring breath brightly heats the building as plain sand is transformed into objects of splendor. Glass freezes light and movement into permanent design by emerging artist Nicole Fierce.

Ms. Fierce grew up in Connecticut and moved to Minnesota with her family at the age of twelve. She studied Theater and Psychology at Hamline University before embarking on a career of lighting design for opera, theater, and special events. After twelve years she decided to depart from the male-dominated field of production.

“Artwork is a passion, it becomes you, it isn’t a choice,” declared Nicole. She began working at The Bead Monkey store and discovered the joy of making charms. She has developed a unique line of delicate earrings, jewelry, and continues to teach classes. She also worked at a hardware store and pottery studio, which lead to hand blown glass. www.thebeadmonkey.com

Intense volcanic heat used to mold beauty from the mundane has beckoned Ms. Fierce for the past sixteen months. It is a science as well as an art. Her technical skills improve every time she works in the studio. She is comfortable in the community of glass artisans. It is a collaborative process because a glass artist cannot safely work alone. She is developing physical strength and dexterity from the demands of this art form as she explores her own distinct style. The male glass blowers are friendly and helpful.

Hospitality is true kindness according to Nicole. She wants her space to be where people want to go. She desires guests to feel welcome and comfortable. It goes beyond offering a variety of snacks and refreshments. She emphatically stated, “Everyone I meet is for a reason, I can learn from every person so it’s best to never be unfriendly.” She encourages one and all to have good manners and smile. Be self-aware enough to offer benevolence to strangers at all times. You never know where it will lead.

Recently, Ms. Fierce opened a shared space with design partner Marlo Cronquist (www.marlocronquist.com). The Green Machine Gallery opening event served scrumptious gluten-free nosh by Glorious Nibbles (jean.wolff@ymail.com). The talented Craig J. Campbell demonstrated the complexity of creating a simple glass bowl to an enraptured audience. He used wit and wisdom to explain the process and its science. We were able to sit within a few feet of where he worked on the molten glass, besieged by the fiery furnace (www.campbellartglass.com). The gallery is located on the third level of the Foci – Minnesota Center for Glass Arts Building (#10). Enter on the south end of the building complex at 2010 East Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis (www.mnglassart.org). Beware the speed bump in the driveway next to the coffee shop; it will scrape the bottom of your auto even at a low speed.

Green Machine Gallery is open by appointment and during the Art-A-Whirl Art Crawl. Ms. Fierce can be contacted at www.fiercedesignstudio.com or www.etsy.com/shop/fiercedesignstudio She won the “Ima Best Hospitality” award for 2011 Art Crawls. Read the review posted on September 21st, 2011 and summary on January 23rd, 2012. Included in this article are photos of her work, apology for the gray strip at the bottom of the jewelry photo - technical difficulties.

Light Your Fire.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

SUMMARY OF 2011 ART CRAWLS & FAIRS

After viewing the fabulous work of hundreds of talented artists I have selected a few to highlight. Several “Ima Best” awarded artists will be interviewed in a series of articles entitled, “Artist Illumination.” Alison Price was featured on January 9th and look for more in the future.

The artists listed represent perhaps one percent of the imaginative folks that I surveyed at three crawls and two fairs in the Twin Cities area during 2011. Amalgamated directory alphabetized by artist. All are wonderfully creative so please contact for details regarding their current work for sale and commissions. Let the artist know that you read about them in this blog. Suggestions to improve art crawls posted on December 5th, 2011.

IMA BEST OF SHOW:
* Abbi A. Allan paints dreamy images of goldfish and sculpts frilly ceramic bowls that mimic the flowing tails of the fish www.abbiaallan.com
* Tom Ashworth specializes in humorous black walnut characters from an alternate universe with a surprising mix of attachments tomashworthart@q.com He will have a booth at the 2012 Powderhorn Art Fair.
* Katherine Clayton makes unique cement basins, printed floorcloth rugs, stunning kelpie horse paintings, clothing, and grows plants www.etsy.com/shop/GriffinDesign
* Alison Price’s paintings explode off the wall. They are neon bright with swooping movements www.alisonpricestudios.com
* Diane Simon specializes in big bold paintings and brassy accessories 651-235-4200

IMA BEST ARTISTIC SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR:
* Lisa Jaster is a role model of community involvement, friendly, offers a superb caloric spread at art crawls, and takes memorable photographs www.lmjoriginals.com

IMA BEST HOSPITALITY:
* Nicole Fierce offers yummy food to nosh and creates fantastic glasswork, earrings and photographs fierce.nicole@gmail.com

IMA HONORABLE MENTIONS A – J:
* Hannah Albert’s Japanese woodblock inspired series is fabulous. She blends the outline of a photo with color resulting in amazing flow www.mantrart.typepad.com
* Beth Barron creates splendid fabric art www.bethbarronart.com
* Watch where you are walking or at least see beauty revealed in manhole covers Mark Barsness at Markbarsness@aol.com
* Jeff & Darlene Dawald make fine art jewelry with personality. Gorgeous silver smithing, animals and shapes with fun designs jdawald@charter.net
* Linda Day’s clay makes you smile. Interesting interpretations of cups, teapots, clocks, and other objects with silly illustrations www.lindadayclay.com
* Susan Elnora captures skulls and bones with her jewelry www.susanelnora.blogspot.com
* Stunning aurora borealis and funky jewelry are Marla Gamble’s forte 651-224-6711
* Timothy Granlund is a skilled wood artisan and cabinet-maker www.prairie-woodworking.com
* Karen Gustafson works in many forms but the sonographic prints are eerie www.karengustafsonstudios.com
* Christina Habibi fantastical images open one's vision. www.habibiart.com
* Laura Hallen paints hyper flowers. They hum from the canvas www.laurahallen.com
* Laura Holewa has a community of fun little bright clay monsters to scare away the ones in your closet www.lolamade.etsy.com
* Phil Holtan turns out attractive burl (berle) wood bowls and flower vases. Polished to a soft sheen www.philholtan.net
* Andrew Johnson makes quirky tableaus that look like small paintings until you notice that the various stitches appear like paint strokes www.thestitchmaestro.com

IMA HONORABLE MENTIONS K – Q:
* Ochen Kaylan features bright starburst which appear like Hubble Space Telescope photos www.ochenk.com
* Kevin Kluever has a soothing zen-like approach to landscapes. The light is warm and the scenes are charming. Breathe deep and relax… www.kevinwkluever.com
* Daron W. Krueger takes magnificent photos www.opgart.com/daron
* Caprice Kueffner Glaser builds and paints wood tableaus at www.8blockrule.com
* Tino Lopez-Montoya sculpts Dia de los Muertos day-of-the-dead inspired canines www.baddawgart.com
* Melvin McGee is a graphic artist who paints busy worlds with capricious animals in vivid tones www.melvinmcgee.com
* Calm meditative landscapes are painted by Tom McGregor www.mcgregorpaintings.blogspot.com
* Andrea Martin snips out intricate hand cut paper art. Bugs can be beautiful www.andrearmartin.com
* Marisa Martinez incorporates cool beads and mini glass sculptures into jewelry www.meztizadesigns.com
* Robin Mueller molds quirky animal sculptures www.whimsiesdesign.com
* Jackson Mwaura is a skilled soapstone sculptor. He carves common human forms, funny animals and a profoundly cute painted hippo www.jartsproducts.com
* E. Alejandro Ortega’s custom leatherwork smelled wonderful. He details masks, animals, swords, shields, and sheaths www.madebyalejandro.com
* DeAnne L. Parks artwork is quite ingenious and dream-like www.artdeanne.com
* Julie Peterson & Sara Ruhnow adhere cool mosaics using buttons, marbles and several types of medium www.funkytile.webs.com
* Margaret Pezalla builds funky three-dimensional architectural imaginations and paints meteorite studies www.mpezella.com
* Fairies would approve of jewelry fashioned by Amy Purdes www.spritecreations.com

IMA HONORABLE MENTIONS R – Z:
* Nancy Reyner’s waves feel like they are about to crash upon you www.nancyreyner.com
* Sylvia A. Roman haunting ghostly images of the veiled prairie www.saromanstudios.com
* Demetra Saloutos offers a wide selection. She welds eccentric vine trellis and bird watering bowls with a labyrinth 608-873-1842
* Moody ominous storm cloud paintings don’t match the sunny personality of Jamie Lauler Solberg www.wix.com/jamielauler/solberg
* Adama Sow sculpts bright rainbow colored bowls and neat ceramic colanders www.ceramicsow.com
* Sarah Thornton’s paint-by-number approach to animal portraits is charming www.lintuart.com
* Andree Tracey makes collages. Her fifties fashionista series is quite delightful www.andreecollages.com
* Steampunk fans will enjoy the work of Michael L. Treat. Excellent imagination and miniaturization skills www.etsy.com/people/treatllc
* Mary Rose Van Popperin paints lovely landscape watercolors and quirky folkart pet portraits 612-670-0661
* Brian VanVoorst’s exquisite watercolors look like batik over photographs www.secretthirdoption.com
* Wallace and Anita White are talented siblings. They each have their own style. Wallace has a childlike naiveté as a folk artist, very evocative work. Anita works in myriad mediums to create flower and nature images gingerinez@aol.com
* Flowing fabric falls into woven masterpieces by Sara E. Williams www.loomsong.com

I felt honored to attend and review these events posted:
Art-A-Whirl on June 23rd, 2011
Highland Fest & Art Fair on August 5th, 2011
LOLA Art Crawl on September 21st, 2011
Powderhorn Art Fair on August 25th, 2011
St. Paul Art Crawl on October 24th, 2011
Art Crawl Improvement Suggestions on December 5th, 2011

Support Independent Artists!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing