Friday, September 30, 2011

Artist Spotlight 15: Connie Herring and Nathan Holman

I am so excited to have Connie involved for the first time this year. I've been familiar with her outstanding work for quite some time, and now here we are. Mr. Holman will be joining us again for round 2, thankfully, and I can't wait to see what he ends up creating. Whatever it is, It'll be great!

Connie Herring





Blue Light - Surrounding(handmade paper, catalpa pods)
30" x 25" x 25"

Nathan Holman

Unfortunately I do not have any photos of Nathan's wonderful work; however, I can say that he has some prints on display at Dunn Bros. Coffee and an exhibition of masks at Ipso Gallery. I do recommend seeing his work as it is amazing. Sorry for not posting a photo Nathan, I can't upload PDFs on the blog.



Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Artist Spotlight 14: Jeff Freeman and Carolyne Landon

The tremendous influence of Jeff Freeman will be evident for many many years to come. Jeff recently retired from the University of South Dakota after a 30 year teaching career which has established him as one of, if not the, most influential artists and educators of the region. Those of us who have had the privilege of knowing him and learning from him can all agree that he has been vital within our development as artists and thinkers. I could go on and on. My dear friend Jeff, thank you.

Carolyne Landon is probably an unfamiliar name for those of you who were not involved in Take the day. 2010. Luckily we all know of her now. Carolyne will be traveling from Portland, Oregon to partake in this year's festivities. Her talents are huge and I am absolutely honored to have her involved this year. Carolyne has a long history with South Dakota and many friends awaiting her return. Thank you so much for making the long journey Carolyne. Carolyne has led an amazing life full of art and adventure. She is always up to something cool so make sure and inquire.http://www.landonstudios.com/


Jeff Freeman

Horn-o-plenty
Oil on Canvas
dimensions unknown, probably fairly large


Lumpen Proletariat
Oil on Canvas
dimensions unknown, probably fairly large


Carolyne Landon

Buttermilk  oil on board  24" x24"
"Take the Day" November 13, 2010


Genesis Project: Eve  A/P copper etching
5"x5"






Monday, September 26, 2011

Artist Spotlight 13: Patti Roberts-Pizzuto and Johntimothy Pizzuto

This amazing husband and wife duo will be working collaboratively during Take the day. 2011. I can't wait to see what these first-year participants come up with. John is Professor of Printmaking at the University of South Dakota and Patti is an all around great artist. I am beyond thrilled to have Johntimothy and Patti involved this year and for many years to come.

Patti Roberts Pizzuto

Fragments #4
mixed-media on paper

Fragments # 14
mixed-media on paper


Johntimothy Pizzuto

In Silence
2010
Mixed Intaglio and Water-based Screenprint
And So
2010
Mixed Intaglio and Water-based Screenprint
Wow, October 1st is going to be awesome!
Thank you Patti and thank you Johntimothy.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Artist Spotlight 12: Ari Albright and Chris Mortenson

Ari and Chris will both be returning for their second appearance at Take the day. Last year Chris joined us via Skype, which was pretty cool, but it will be nice to have his whole self this year. Ari has recently gained professorship of painting at the University of South Dakota and Chris is faculty at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL and Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, IA. I'm glad to have both of these wonderful artists back for another fun-filled Take the day. adventure.

Ari Albright

Tin Man Night Pearls
oil or acrylic on canvas
dimensions unknown


Tin Man Two
oil or acrylic on canvas
dimensions unknown


Chris Mortenson

Tree
pen on paper
8x10"



An honor.





Saturday, September 24, 2011

Artist Spotlight 11: Josh Johnson and Ceca Cooper

Both Josh and Ceca are second-year participants. Josh spent some time at the University of South Dakota and eventually received his MFA from University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Ceca is Associate Professor of Art at the University of Sioux Falls. I am delighted to have these two fantastic artists back for round 2.

Josh Johnson 

Dream Catcher

Leaving


Ceca Cooper







An honor.



Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Artist Spotlight 10: J. Charles Cox and Erica Merchant

Both Erica and John are first-year Take the day. participants. I am so excited to have them on-board to diversify the roster even further. John is a faculty member of Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls, MN and Erica is a faculty member of Black Hills State University. Wonderful artists make for a wonderful event, that's why they're involved. Thank you John and thank you Erica, I'm proud to know ya. And by the way, I'd like to mention that Erica is my cousin-in-law. Yep, that's right.


J. Charles Cox


Locomotive llv2
mixed-media drawing collage

Diadema
mixed-media drawing collage


Erica Merchant

Preservation
mixed-media


Absent Evidence


An honor.








Monday, September 19, 2011

Artist Spotlight 9: Kevin Pourier and Greg Blair

These two first-year participants know what exquisite craft is, and very well. Greg is a faculty member at Northern State University. Kevin is amazing. Anyway, I'll leave it at that. I am so very very happy to be working with these guys.

http://www.kevinpourier.com/index.htm
http://gregoryblair.com/

Kevin Pourier

Monarch Horn Cup

Buffalo Horn Rimmed Glasses



Greg Blair

 
tutela obviam vicis    2007
mixed media      36” x 36” x 8”


the dream of something better    2007
pine, maple and brass  4’ x 4’ x 3’


These guys obviously spend some time creating their objects. One of the most exciting things about Take the day. for me is to see how artists adapt their working styles to the time limitation. Greg and Kevin are definitely up to the task.

I am honored and humbled by these artists.

Thank you both.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Artist Spotlight 8: Andres Torres and Steve Bormes

Wonderful people: Steve Bormes and Andres Torres.

Andres has been a great friend and mentor to me for over a decade now and I love him. Steve and his wife Tove do so much to support progressive culture that their efforts and impact escape words. Steve maintains his studio at Rug and Relic, a wonderfully eclectic shop and art gallery which he and Tove own in downtown Sioux Falls. It's difficult to put Steve's work into words; lets just say that he makes the strangest lights you ever did see.

And now.....


Andres Torres


Untitled
24x36"
Oil and fabric on canvas

Untitled
24x24"
Oil on panel


Steve Bormes


Flight Log
  Antique Yogurt Churn; elk antlers, vintage wooden propellers, steel beams, tin chicken feeder.
60" x 78" x 20"

Don't Talk To Strainers
antique yogurt churn, antique strainers, antique bisque doll parts, antique car parts 30" x 17"


This year's gonna be fun boys. Thank you!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Artist Spotlight 7: Angela Behrends and Alan Montgomery

Angela and Alan are both faculty at Dakota State University. This will be Angela's first year participating and it'll be great to see Alan in action again.

Angela Behrends

Concrete Bellies

Wetlands



Alan Montgomery

Irish History Lesson: Lives of the Saints

Sweetcrude series: Everything and Nothing


Thank You.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Artist Spotlight 6: Amy Fill and Mary Groth

Amy is a returning Take the day. participant and this is Mary's first year featured, so welcome Mary and welcome back Amy. I am thrilled that Mary will be involved this year. As an extremely talented person with a reputation that precedes her, Mary will certainly up the Take the day. anti. There's something about Amy, something unpredictable. She's a magical eclecticist and truly one of the most free thinking SD artists.
I don't have full information pertaining to the images below so I will guess if I need to. I apologize in advance if I guess wrong.

Mary Groth

Mystery Woman: Scandia
Dimensions unknown
Probably either an oil or acrylic painting or pastel drawing on some sort of fabric, panel or paper.



Title and dimensions unknown
appears to be a drawing of some sort on either paper or canvas.


Amy Fill


Cans
Slip cast wood fired porcelain



 Ground Blooms and Smoke Bombs
Mixed media on canvas, dimensions variable.  Full size 53 inches by 18 feet.  Image shows a 24 inches by 30 inches section


Thank you Amy. Thank you Mary. Take the day. 2011 will be great.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Artist Spotlight 5: Mark Stemwedel and Diana Behl

Diana and Mark are both second year Take the day. participants, and boy am I glad to have them back. These two South Dakota State University faculty members are good good people.

Mark Stemwedel

Trinity of Purity
2008
Oil on panel
15 3/4 in. x 15 3/4 in.



Still Life with Glass no. 3
2007
Oil on panel
30 in. x 24 in.


Diana Behl

(imaginary story) eleven
2009
Graphite, mixed media with collage on paper
7.75" x 8.25"



awash
2011
Mixed Media on Paper
7.75" x 9"


Both of these artists have very diverse methods of creating things. These four images only touch on a small portion of their methods of working. I'd check out their websites if I were you.



What an honor to have these remarkable people involved with Take the day.
Thank you Diana. Thank you Mark