Winter in January!

 "Along the Shelf Ice"

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view) 

January...how many times will I now accidentally write 2015 on checks and such before I finally get it right!?!  I know I'm not alone out there!

We've had a couple snows in the last few days so we look quite like winter again; and the temps are closer to what they normally are this time of the year too.  I usually prefer winter landscapes early in the morning but late afternoon can work nicely as well and yesterday afternoon was a good day outside!

 

 "January on the Waterman"

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view) 

With Waterman Creek so close by, most of the afternoon was spent up and down the valley searching for those snippets of Waterman "treasure" just waiting for appreciation!

There isn't a lot of shelf ice out there due to high water levels but I did manage to find a vantage point with some ice along a gravel bank - with the additional benefit of tracks in the snow adding to the composition...and the creek itself in the valley a few miles south offered up a bright landscape benefiting from a pure blue sky!  

Pleasant scenes and simple compositions...may your winter days be ever so pleasant too!

Happy New Year from Morrison's Studio!!!

"Winter Prairie Pasture"

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

 

A Happy New Year wish for Everyone out there - ALL our BEST to you and your loved ones!

 

...Bruce and Georgeann Morrison

Heading Into The Solstice

"Winter Dawn - Little Sioux at Burnt Bridge"

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view) 

Well we're sliding into the Winter Solstice tomorrow on the 21st - its hard to believe isn't it!  My mind's still stuck in August!

The thing I always look forward to come this day - the days gradually begin getting longer - which means more sunshine and "eventually" warmer days!!!  But I know that's not a very appreciative opinion of winter is it...sorry about that (fingers crossed behind my back).

The Winter Solstice is officially here Monday, December 21, 2015 at 10:49 PM CST; at least if you live in Sioux Falls, SD...but that's certainly near enough to us to make it count as "close enough"!

Like many other people, I hear reports of odd weather for this time of the year; we're no different.  The image above was 2 1/2 weeks ago south of the studio and the snow is GONE...hasn't even been cold enough for frost to enter the ground yet - and its nearly Christmas!  But we have had 18+ inches of snow at the studio since late November, so that at least sounds right for the eve of the solstice!

Either way - enjoy the new season, and get out there if you get a chance.  After all, the Winter Solstice only comes 'round once a year!

  

What's Ahead!

"Late Winter Afternoon - Woodland Edge"

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view) 

Thought I'd post another image from last weekend's snowstorm - it was Saturday evening after we had shoveled and plowed out the acreage from under 12 inches of snow; I wanted to get out before it was too late for some photo opportunities in the "neighborhood" .  I walked up through some property I've had permission to "explore" and found after about 10-15 minutes that I really needed my snowshoes!  I managed to plow through drifts over to the creek's (Waterman Creek) edge from above.  The sun was already lower than I thought it'd be but the foreground being in shadow really didn't look so bad...it created an interesting "deep" woodland look -  like the dead of winter, so I went with it!  Hope you enjoy it!

Tomorrow and the next day are bringing more of the same precipitation.  They're promising 5-10 inches more snow but we'll see what shakes out.  Unfortunately they're also promising high winds, which will put the ca-bosh on  photos until the "dust" settles...time will tell I guess!  Either way, it looks like winter is here to stay for now.

Next weekend is bringing some things of interest as well - 2 weekend art exhibits and sales that I'll be participating in!

Each year the artists of this area get together for a Holiday Sale, and this year is no different - except - this year there are two events on the same weekend!

The first Holiday sale that I'm participating in is at Barb McGee's Gallery on Main Street in Peterson, Iowa. Barb will be holding her Holiday sale for several artists, I'm fortunate to be included again this year! The Holiday Open House will be held on Saturday December 5 from 9:00AM to 5P.M. and Sunday from Noon to 3PM.

Take some time and check out the artists represented at Barb McGee's Holiday Open House!

The second Holiday sale and exhibit I'm participating in is a new gallery in Lake Park, Iowa! This exhibit will be an Art and Fine Antique sale and is being held in the former Methodist Church building in Lake Park. This new gallery, the Systolic Studio, is holding this exhibit and sale, and it will have a host of top quality artists and artwork and antiques over a 3 day event! I am very proud to be included!

 
The event is inside and up the stairway on the west entrance and this exhibit and sale opens on Friday, December 4 from 3-8PM, again on Saturday December 5 from 10AM-6PM, and Sunday December 6 from 11AM-3PM; be sure and take it in - you'll be in for a real treat!

There's a lot  ahead but first of all - keep warm and enjoy the season!

 

Don't Blink!

"A Frosty Morning on Barry Creek"

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view) 

This time a week ago it was a windy/rainy day, but the month had been very nice with plenty of Indian Summer weather...come Saturday it all changed!  But it was the perfect photo-storm opportunity!  Usually when blizzards come along, things are sewn up and buried for the duration, but this year was unseasonably warm and a large snowstorm on top of warm ground is quite different to see.

I've always lamented for winters with open water...streams flowing through a snow covered landscape are quite visually pleasing...much more so than frozen streams and bodies of water!  Well this first snow of the season was really quite perfect!  Well, OK...I'm no fan of driving in this stuff nor in shoveling out the home place after a storm like this (we had 12" in this one), but here was a new fallen snow on warm ground and streams still flowing relatively warm...their mist rising from the water surface; very pretty stuff going on!

We spent the morning digging out like everyone else but around 3 in the afternoon were able to get out and investigate the transformed landscape.  I drove about 3 miles to a place I've walked many times in past years...I soon realized I should have taken the snow shoes with me!  It was a tough trudge for about an 8th of a mile to Waterman Creek and the shoreline timber, where I took many pictures of snow laden cedars and Bur Oaks...every 10-15 minutes a Bald Eagle or two would cruise past me and I disturbed a few White-tail Deer bedded down for the day...it was a fun time outside!

Later we drove over to Barry Creek just down the road from us.  I've done some photos and drawings of this little creek in the past. The day had gotten too late and the light was gone but I made a note to go back at first light.

The next morning was made to order...very slight breeze and anything in low lying areas was developing a nice frosty coating.  The creek had subtle drifting steam rising from the warm water reacting with the cold air...the shoreline was frosted and glowing in the first rays of sunlight!  Very pretty stuff :)

This was a lucky break for landscape photographers and artists, the kind that doesn't come around too often in this latitude...maybe we'll get lucky again soon?  One can only hope; but on thing is sure - don't blink, you might miss out!

 

"The Old Stucco Barn"

oil painting  - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view) 

 

Well the big event a couple weekends back is over and I'm still in recovery mode!  It was a successful two days and I'm extremely grateful for that.  Thank you to all who came to visit - we appreciated seeing you and hope you enjoyed your day on the Artisans Road Trip!

 

I had this painting on my easel during A.R.T. - just waiting for some final adjustments and finishing touches...I'd hoped to have it completed by then but the event preparations took up quite a bit of time;  it was close to its final stage though and it was fun to let visitors see it fresh.  

 

The painting is of our stuccoed barn just 30 feet from the studio.  We believe the barn is the only stuccoed barn in the county, but can't be 100% sure.  It was built in the early 1900's but added on to at least a couple times since then.  It was stuccoed sometime in the mid to late 1940's...all this information is garnered from local residents/farmers that knew something about the previous owners and occupants here.

 

As you can see from the angle of the image in the painting, the foundation of the building was reinforced with concrete block at one point - we think that was completed when the stucco work was done - from what the last owner said and the other sources of information, the block was there sometime before 1950.  One other interesting feature that can't be seen in the painting are two flying buttress type concrete elements were added at the time the block was laid.  I don't think you see that very often but don't believe its not totally uncommon with old barns.

 

We like barns and they are a disappearing element in the rural landscape now...too many are being razed and replaced by pole buildings; its very sad.  I do understand the economics of keeping/restoring a barn though...it is daunting.  So far we are spending time each summer patching roofs and keeping the critters out as best we can (except for the Barn Swallows of course!).  Both the barn and our crib have suffered from racoon and woodchuck damage since we've been here.

 

I've wanted to do a painting of the barn since we moved here years ago and actually started one or two but wasn't quite satisfied with their direction.  This angle is more up close and backlit...I think this perspective gives it a bit more drama, plus the main subject is nearly in total shade - creating a totally different feel to the barn.  We let the Hollyhocks and other flowers just take over where they want along both sides of the barn and I wanted to include them...they virtually block all the entrances on the east side in mid summer!

 

As I type I'm aware that I have to get back up on the south side of the barn roof and pick up where I left off last spring with replacing cedar shakes...also have the crib cupola needing patching...these are all chores that are hard to put aside if the building is important to the integrity or aesthetics of the place, and I really feel they are.  We'll keep trying to give a few extra years to them until we no longer are able or have departed for other adventures.

 

Next time you're out in the country, give those neat old buildings another look; they are part of our rural and agricultural heritage!

This Weekend!!!

This is the big weekend!

Not one, but three venues!
Northwest Iowa's Artisans Road Trip members invite you to attend the 12th annual open studio tour on Saturday, October 10th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 11th from noon until 5 p.m.

Along with the open studio tour, everyone is encouraged to see and purchase original art at the two collective (group) shows sponsored by Arts on Grand and Pearson Lakes Art Center. "There will be one or two pieces from almost all of the artists," explains chairperson, Tim McIlrath.  It's impressive to see the range, quality and diversity of each artist's work and as a collective group."
Events and Dates: Artisans Road Trip's Open Studio Tour: October 10 – 11, 2015               Arts On Grand, Spencer IA: September 29 to October 31, 2015
Pearson Lakes Art Center, Spirit Lake IA: October 8 to December 31, 2015

"Planning your personal A.R.T. tour is easy."
To learn all about the 2015 Artisans Road Trip, preview artists' work and begin planning your personal tour we encourage you to use these tools:
1. BROCHURE: You can find brochures at local art centers, participating artist locations, banks, libraries and gathering places in your community.
2. WEBSITE: www.artisansroadtrip.com
3. BLOG: http://artisansroadtrip.blogspot.com/

"We're looking forward to seeing you this year!"

BRUCE MORRISON, painter/photographer: "I love it when people come to my studio, see what I do and ask questions – I learn a lot from this exchange!  And people learn something too, in a fun way. I believe (that) the interchange between the artist and public fuels the act of creativity. The biggest barrier to any artist is the issue of 'exposure'.  A.R.T. gives the artist a venue for interaction and the potential for the purchase of the work. It also opens the world of 'creativity' to the public.

 LINDA FRIES, watercolorist: "Oh, the freedom and flow of watercolor and just as the brush takes control; the painter begins a journey and that's when the fun begins. For years now, A.R.T. has opened our home studio to the fun bunch that just stops in. And I so enjoy meeting all of these outstanding artists. Each year is richer, better – It's a good time."

 HANK HALL, pottery, drawings, painting: "Sharing my work with the public is something I love to do," says Hank Hall. "I create to satisfy my sense of aesthetics, and if someone else gets a kick out it then it just doesn't get better than that!"

And that's just a few words from three of the 35 artists participating in this year's big weekend event! The weekend forecast is for plenty of sunshine and above normal temperatures for October - plan a weekend trip and make the rounds at the 2015 Artisans Road Trip!

Of Course I am just a bit prejudiced as far as my studio and location is concerned! Plus we've gotten a reputation for the best "treats" of the road trip too.  Be sure and stop by and see what work is in progress and what's new! There's really something for everyone here - even the view is great!

Hope to see you on the road for a fun weekend!