Another Springtime Sketch from Dillman's

I must have traveled this staircase, at least ten times a day, couldn't stay up above, so serene down on the water.

Spring Sketch from Dillman's

Just wanted to continue sharing pieces from my plein air sketchbook... some imagination needed to feel the shallow water around pier with reeds poking through. Very little movement on the water... distant shores clear in the sunshine... may stay there in my mind on this muggy hot day!

Jeremiah was a Bullfrog

I've spent most of my time off work watering the baby trees I put in this spring and there are many little toads and frogs who have found my leaky hoses and faucet to be sanctuary. I have a livestock feed bin for an outside dog water dish and frequently find little frogs swimming there. This here fella called out to be photographed, guess he thought he was well camouflaged. Thinking this is a perfect linocut...

Prayer Flag Project

I started these flags up in Lac Du Flam beau at Dillman's Art Resort alongside Laura's collage workshop, and just in the nick off belated time added some finishing edges and incorporated bits of prayer into the design. The LaGrange Art League at 122 Calendar Circle will have an outdoor display of flags, also an indoor one with reception coming soon and I wanted to participate in the collaboration. Should be something to see!

Bark

Loved the chips of bark coming off the pines, looked like puzzle pieces...

All Angles on that Rotting Crayfish

Here is the last sketches of this little creature. Probably didn't want to see his details? I was intrigued...

More on the Crayfish Theme

Spending time getting intimate with the rotting miniature lobster. Sat him on the picnic table in front of me and kept turning for new views to witness each skeletal spacing. Flies were attracted to the rotting crustacean and I watched them enter and leave the interior flesh. Laura invited me to draw indoors with her class, but I said my still life was foul and not to subject her pupils to my idiosynchronisities. Doubt they would have objected, but still...

Crayfish

Laura and I really had fun attempting to fish the crayfish out of the lake with a homemade poker stick. Quite the adventure but we finally pulled it off. Day was mid sixties and braving the water didn't even seem an option. We found that this blue crayfish is indigenous to the area, they've been plagued by the rusty crayfish which is not. After pulling this specimin out, I noticed many along south shore in much shallower water.

Totem at Dillman's

Boy did I have a time uploading the photo here... but now it is also my screen saver. Dillman's is nestled within Lac Du Flambeau which is a Chippewa reservation. Beautiful country, quite the view behind the totem. Never quite know where to look, there's so much beauty here. Still lacking some perception skills and added the lowest totem out to the side rather than delete.

Practice Sketchbook Dillman's Resort

First pages in my sketchbook, rather haphazard getting back into drawing after long stint, but so much to see up at Dillman's Bay Resort. A little bit of unexpected heaven... gratitude to cousin Laura for inviting me to tag along and to my employers who covered my absences for a week of dreams.

Happy Plant at Work

My sister gave me this plant when she was working with local greenhouse, lacking a third stalk it was considered unsaleable? It's ten feet tall and has been keeping my desk oxygenated. Last spring it had bloomed up top but this year the lower palm allowed me a photo op.

Down to the River

Slanked down to the river at lunchtime. There were scads of people today. Fishermen and walkers and playground attendees. Have to take advantage of the beautiful weather. The river is very high leaving very little shoreline left to walk. Stopped down by the dam to listen and feel the surge of the water, and oh yep, smell it too. This trip I was just taking photos, although I snagged a tennis ball to please the pups again. Poked that there snapper with a stick, not enough to upset him, just enough to see if he was alive. He was really well hidden among the dried grasses and leaves. If he was just a lifeless shell, he would have had to gone home with me. I felt fortunate that I hadn't just walked by.

Bike Jaunt

Skipped out on a meeting to take advantage of the beautiful evening. 12 mile round trip. Half way is the small town of Plattville. Story was told that Bonnie and Clyde carried weapons that had been registered to an an armory here. Who actually robbed the armory is not known. Not sure any landmarks left of the building either... The little town does have a village hall and a closed school, maybe I'll be up to a longer ride soon. Stopped at the little marsh by the side of the road to meditate with the shrill of new frogs. Spied a couple ducks too.

Nearly Spring!

Took the bicycle out today with the gorgeous weather! Cattle were content! Creeks flowing on! Then there's my laundry hanging out on the line. Couldn't ask for a more beautiful day!

Yorkville Library Exhibit

http://yorkville.patch.com/articles/library-exhibit-features-work-of-kendall-arts-guild#photo-9010746

Working on uploading article... but here's the link.

The work of six Kendall Arts Guild members is now on display at the Yorkville Public Library.

The participating artists are Amanda Iwanski, Merrie Woodward, Jim Rendant, Walter Lesus, Doris Lein, and Joan McEachern.

“We really enjoy hosting the Kendall Arts Guild as they bring a nice mixture of different media and techniques,” library employee Sharyl Iwanski said. “This show is a good example.”

The artists' work is a mix that includes fabric art, photography, acrylic on canvas and more, Iwanski said.

The exhibit is especially near and dear to her since her daughter has art work on display.

Amanda Iwanski said she began dabbling in the arts about five years ago.

“I started creating in my high school art classes,” she said.

She tends to focus on pet portraits.

“I enjoy painting animals,” she said.

Her creations can be found on her website.

The artists’ work will be on display at the library through Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Artist display exhibits usually rotates on a six to weight week schedule.
Related Topics: Art, Exhibit, Kendall Arts Guild, and Yorkville Public Library