Good-bye September

The Late September Milky Way from Prairie Hill farm

photograph © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view) 

September is now just a memory...where did, August, July and June go - I have no clue!?! 

Did you have plans during this past summer, but "life and work" got in the way and now you find yourself once again saying to yourself "Well, maybe next year."?  This is becoming too common place for me these days!  Whew - there is not enough hours in a day or days in a year!

One thing I have wanted to get around to all summer was photographing the sky here at night.  The Milky Way is very visible here year around and when you step out on an evening when the moon is well past full and not up in the evening - the view can take your breath away!

Last night Georgie mentioned to me how bright the stars were and I decided to go have a look.  It was surprisingly good so I went over to the studio and got my big old Ash Zone VI tripod and DSLR camera and a flashlight and set it up for some shots.  Its a bit clumsy setting up in the dark but I finally managed and took some images of the Milky Way...it also surprised me how fast the heavenly bodies move (how fast the Earth rotates)...I had to keep adjusting my aim so I could stay with the subject.  The image above is one from last evening.

While I was taking photos in the dark I heard a very close and loud cracking noise.  First I though it sounded like a tree branch breaking but I thought the sound came from the direction of the barn so I turned the flashlight on and shined it on the barn roof where there were two pairs of eyes staring back at me!  Here were two Raccoons sitting watching me...as soon as I shown the light on them, one of them dove through a hole in the roof to inside the barn...looks like roof maintenance needs to trip into gear again!  They had to have gained access through the roof in the first place though as there's no openings around the ground level, nor broken or open windows...these things are great climbers.  Such is life out here.

I've been very busy getting ready for the Artisans Road Trip this coming weekend (October 5th and 6th).  We've been gearing up for it for...well, the past year!  We treat the road trip as a very big deal and the organization (of the Artisans Road Trip) is a year long endeavor - this is an event run by artists for artists, no small thing!  If you have time this weekend or want to make a weekend day trip through NW Iowa and enjoy the crisp autumn air, then the 2013 Artisans Road Trip is the perfect time out and about for you!

Our studio and the studio/galleries of 25 other artists will be open for visitors on Saturday (Oct 5) from 9 am through 5 pm and Sunday (Oct 6) from noon through 5 pm.  Enjoy some time out during A.R.T this fall!  Don't miss out this year!  

Be sure and stop by and say "Hi", enjoy a hot cup of cider and other good things, and see what I've been up to during the past year!

Hope to see you then!

 

Get'n Ready!

"Red Admiral on Swamp Milkweed"

colored pencil drawing - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view) 

The days are slipping by fast here and the Artisans Road Trip is quickly approaching!  If you haven't heard of A.R.T. before, it is an open studio tour of artist's studios and galleries in NW Iowa each fall.  This year marks the 10th Anniversary for the Artisans Road Trip and there's a lot of artists scattered about the countryside here in NW Iowa to enjoy - why not stop by the studio here and get a great view of the valley and the studio as well!

 

I have been busy framing up new pieces for visitors to see and even just finished a small color pencil drawing that I started back in July!  A nice little piece of a Red Admiral butterfly on a Swamp Milkweed (Aclepias incarnata) in the lower pasture here!

 

I have also been busy creating new gift cards and note card sets!  Did you know the largest gift card and note card collection portraying NW Iowa is found right here in our studio?! No where else will you be able to find as many, beautiful, and diverse Note Card Sets, single panel, two panel and triple panel Art Cards and Photo Cards of NW Iowa, our landscape and flora and fauna!

 

 "Scenic O'Brien County Card Collection"

photography - © Bruce A. Morrison 

The most recent addition to our notecard sets is the "Scenic O'Brien County Card Collection"! This beautiful little set is of the most recent set of beautiful landscapes to be added to our notecard collection. Our note cards come in sets of 4 designs, 2 of each - in a set of 8 cards and envelopes. These are great cards to send to friends and family - the old fashioned way of communicating is still the best - most personal and heartfelt, and genuine way of communicating with those you love!

Stop by anytime or take advantage of the 2013 Artisans Road Trip and make the trip more special!  For more in formation on the 2013 Artisans Road Trip - check out the web site at http://www.artisansroadtrip.com/ - a fun way to spend a fall weekend!

Late Spring

 "Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male)" - photograph © Bruce A. Morrison

Spring is nearing its end and the work is mounting here! I am always pulled in many directions at this time of the year; need to get out and photograph the landscape, need to stay in and finish artwork on the easel, need to pick up work from a closing exhibit and take work to a new one, need to get work framed for customers, get new prints processed and hung in the studio...even finish patching the barn roof! The list goes on; like all of us - too much to do after that long winter and wet/cold spring!
 

The photograph above is part of another exhibit I'm participating in at the moment. This new art exhibit is at the Witter Gallery in Storm Lake, Iowa and runs through most of the month of June.
 

This exhibit is the first Artisans Road Trip showing for the 2013 season - the tenth year of the Artisans Road Trip in NW Iowa! You may recognize the A.R.T. open studio tour held each fall during the first weekend in October; the Artisans Road Trip also puts on exhibits during the year with current artist members and the Witter Gallery showing is the first of the 2013 A.R.T. season!

I have 4 pieces in the exhibit - 3 photographs and 1 oil pastel. But there is so much more to see as well. There will be an artist's reception Thursday - June 13th, from 5 - 7p.m. Hope to see you there!

"June Morning Music" - Nature Audio - © Bruce A. Morrison

Here's a playful respite for all of you out there under the pressure of work that is never quite finished or caught up. The Image above is from the house here and our kitchen home entry and garden...it is from a color pencil drawing done a year or so ago. I have used it here as artwork to go with some of nature's music here on the acreage.
 

I do occasional video and audio work for my own use and for some natural resources client projects on contract. This short "get away" is just for myself and my friends. Just click HERE or on the image above and listen to late spring out on the prairie. Enjoy!  

Hope you enjoy the rest of spring!