Changes

The Bluff Country Studio Art Tour is pleased to announce we have selected a new fiscal agent for the 2012 tour. Many thanks to the Winona Community Foundation for agreeing to be our fiscal agent.

Mosaic Demo

Bluff Country artists Barbara Benson Keith is one of several artists participating in the 2011 Bluff Country Studio Art Tour hosted at the Lanesboro Community Center site. Barbara will be working on one of there mosaics during the tour.

Barbara is a very talent glass artists from the Lanesboro area. In the past year she has worked on many commissioned pieces for children's hospitals, clinics and even the Bemidji airport. Recently, Barb took on a new project... she's the host of KSMQ's (public television serving Austin, Albert Lea, Rochester, Owatonna, Winona, Mankato, Faribault, Mason City and surrounding areas in Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa) program Off 90. She's an artist of very diverse talents.

Barb and the other artists hosted at the Lanesboro Community Center can be found at stops #16-20 on the Bluff Country Studio Art Tour map.

Painting Demo

Many of the Bluff Country artists will be doing demonstrations at their studios during the upcoming Bluff Country Studio Art Tour next weekend (for more info click here). We've had a series of posts this past week and will continue to post this week about some of these artists.

During this year's tour, Joan Finnegan will be working on her current work-in-progress oil painting at her studio on Fillmore Country Rd 12 east of Preston and south of Lanesboro. You can find Joan and her beautiful works at stop #21 on the tour map.

Pilot Mound Design

Today we'd like to tell you about another artist who will be demonstrating their talents during the Bluff Country Studio Art Tour.

Karl Unnasch of Pilot Mound Design near Chatfield will be working on a glass panel during the tour. A former mercantile in the small hamlet of Pilot Mound has been transformed into Karl's studio. Visit Karl and watch as he works using recycled and re-purposed materials to create a beautiful and unique stained glass collage.

A Week Away

With the Bluff Country Studio Art Tour just a little over a week away, we wanted to let you know a little information about some of the artists who will be demonstrating their talents during the upcoming tour.

Nate & Hallie Evans of Allamakee Wood-Fired Pottery will be firing their kiln on Friday and Saturday (April 29 & 30) during the tour. Witnessing the hard work needed to get a kiln this size to it's top temperature of over 2300 degrees F is amazing and definitely gives you an even greater appreciation of Nate and Hallie's beautiful pots.

Joan Finnegan

Name: Joan Finnegan

Website: http://www.jonifinnegan.com/

Email: finnridge@hotmail.com


What kind of art do you make? I make representational oil and watercolor paintings of nature.

When did you start creating art? At a very young age- pre school, I began with drawing on every scrap of paper I could find. My older siblings had paper routes in the days when the stacks arrived with a blank newspaper on the top and the bottom. Those blank newspapers were my daily tablet, I didn't stop until they were filled up. I drew everything, but especially liked people, and nature. I quickly moved into colors and had my first set of stick paints at the age of 8.

How did you get started? Art has always been a part of my life in some form or another, it has evolved thru the years to reflect my life path in numerous ways. From painting store front window and wall murals, to decorative painting on walls and any non moving surface, and canvas. When I married and raised my two incredible daughters my creativity was directed in other ways leaning toward the crafts world, with a few paintings here and there, continuing thru 18 years of owning a gallery with prints and framing. Through all those years I kept telling myself someday I was going to be a "real artist" no longer setting aside the creative voice inside for other life events. In 2005 I found the courage to say this is it, now is my time, no more excuses. All those years of pent up inspiration began pouring out on canvas, I quickly realized the journey and my experiences of those previous years is an important part of my art today.

What inspires you? So many things inspire me, a special moment, the way the light falls on an object, the great artists who walked this earth before me. Other artwork and artists I know and respect, and nature's gift of this beautiful world we have the privilege to live.

How did you develop your style? It has evolved thru the years by trying different techniques, lots of trial and error, and listening to my inner voice.

How did you learn? Drawing, painting, and drawing, painting,,,,,

Lots of trial and error, studying the works of the masters, trying new techniques, and taking numerous workshops and classes from artists who's work I admire and respect. And from teaching others how to paint and draw. I think we learn from all of life's lessons.

How do you work best? On my own, with fresh air flowing thru my studio or in the fresh outdoor air. I prefer to stand at the easel.

How do you approach a new piece? I look at the abstract shapes involved with the composition. I do a miniature sketch or two to get the right composition and see values.

What have you learned? to trust my inner instincts, and that not every painting is "the one"

How do you fit art into your personal/family life? My best art happens when I am happy. It is certainly easier with an empty nest. In these years I've finally found a balance that works for me.

I love to garden and cook, and my family is clearly my highest priority. I realize that I draw inspiration from the things that sometimes take me away from my art. My family knows that if I am pulled away from my art for too long I get uneasy and maybe just a little crabby. Instead of looking at each day for time to create, I look at the entire week for my balance, sometimes I get 2 or 3 days of pure painting time.


Where do you work? Mostly in my studio, located in the lower walk out level of my home. I have my own oasis down there, a great couch for napping even! I do paint outdoors en plein air quite a bit, that takes me all over the area, state, and country.

What is your favorite thing about creating? It releases a joy inside me. Also, I feel that we are all given gifts, those gifts are best when they are shared. My art is my way of sharing my gifts with the world.

Why do you enjoy the art tour? I get to meet new people, as an artist, we spend a lot of solo time, and I enjoy interfacing with my collectors, getting to know them. After all, without them I couldn't continue to support this habit we call art.

Where are you located? 5 miles south of Lanesboro as the crow flies. I am on county road 12, that small 5 mile section sandwiched between highway 52 south and county 21 south. 3.5 miles from the Preston direction,,, or 1.4 miles driving in from the Lanesboro direction. Our land is located on the north side of 12, we have a long driveway (1/2 mile) drive past the cottage house that sits in the valley floor, continue on up the hill to the house on top.

Supporter: Stone Mill Suites

Business Name: Stone Mill Suites Historic Inn Hotel

Website: www.stonemillsuites.com

Email: stonemillsuites@hotmail.com

Address and Directions:

100 E Beacon St
Lanesboro, MN 55949
Please see additional information below.

Phone:
Local: 507/467-8663
Toll Free: 866/897-8669

What services does your business provide?

Located at the Lanesboro FEED MILL, Stone Mill Suites Historic Inn Hotel is a unique lodging experience in 1885 limestone building. Within this historic building are 9 suites with themes that depict the history of the building and Lanesboro's irresistible charm. Many of the suites feature double whirlpool baths, lofts, and iron-claw fireplaces.

History of your company?

Stone Mill Suites Historic Inn Hotel opened Friday, July 13^th, 2001. The Lamon - Mortimer family purchased the Building from the Hager Family in 1999, our hope being to restore and preserve much of the building’s history and structure while providing a comfortable, elegant and most importantly a fun lodging experience for our guest. The building was originally built in the 1880’s and was used as a cold storage facility. Freight trains would load directly behind the building and many items from the Lanesboro area were shipped east for commercial purposes. For thirty years the Fosse Chicken and Poultry Processing Plant operated out of this building.

Map and Directions:

Directions to Stone Mill Suites Historic Inn Hotel

NORTH
From Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.
MN-52 South to Rochester and follow Rochester Directions.

From Rochester, Minn.
MN-52 South to Fountain, County 8 East (left) to Lanesboro. At the stop sign, turn left, go North two blocks and Stone Mill Suites is the limestone building on the right.

SOUTH
From Decorah, Iowa
MN-52 North through Harmony, MN-16 East (right) to Lanesboro. At the intersection of St HWY 16 and St HWY 250 turn left and go North through downtown. Arrive at Stone Mill Suites 100 E Beacon.

EAST
From LaCrosse, Wis.
Interstate 90 West, Take MN-14/61 South at Exit 275 to LaCrescent. MN-14/61 changes into MN-16, MN-16 west to Hokah through Houston, Rushford, and into Lanesboro. At the intersection of St HWY 16 and St HWY 250 turn right and go North through downtown. Arrive at Stone Mill Suites 100 E Beacon.

WEST
From Austin, Minn.
Interstate 90 East, Take MN-16 East at exit 193 toward Preston. Minn. 52/16 East (right) through Preston. MN-16 East (left) at John Deere dealership to Lanesboro. At the intersection of St HWY 16 and St HWY 250 turn left and go North through downtown. Arrive at Stone Mill Suites 100 E Beacon.

Supporter: Commonweal Theatre Company

Business Name: Commonweal Theatre Company

Website: http://www.commonwealtheatre.org

Email: info@commonwealtheatre.org

Address: 208 Parkway Ave North | Lanesboro, MN 55949

Phone: Box Office - 800.657.7025

What services does your business provide?

We provide professional theatre to southeast Minnesota and surrounding regions. The Commonweal's mission is to enrich the common good through actor-based storytelling, which is both transcendent and relevant.

History of your company?

Since 1989, the professional artists of the Commonweal have brought to life soulful stories told with honesty and creativity. Located in the heart of southeast Minnesota’s bluff country, Lanesboro (pop. 788) is home to the company’s new theatre in its historic downtown.

The heart of the Commonweal’s programming is the main stage season. This balanced, yet challenging repertory is comprised of up to six plays with more than 200 performances, chosen from among the world’s finest classic, contemporary, and emerging playwrights. Because Lanesboro is located amidst a high concentration of Norwegian-American families, the Commonweal produces the works of Henrik Ibsen annually, and remains the only theatre company in North America with such a commitment. The company hosts a new play series which has yielded thirteen world premieres since its inception.

The Commonweal boasts a rare organizational model, with resident company members (who have come from all over the country to make their home in the Lanesboro area) fulfilling the day-to-day artistic and operational needs of the company as artist/administrators.

Any other info that might be of interest to visitors of the art tour? Although our main mission is to provide live, professional theatre for our community, we are also home to a unique and permanent art installation with our new building: Commonweal Stash. Artist Karl Unnasch has enhanced our lobby as a tribute to the the region and our theatre's history. Additionally, we occasionally feature artists on our walls to complement the onstage stories and provide depth to those themes.

Barbara Benson Keith

Name: Barbara Benson Keith

Website: www.barbarakeithdesigns.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/barbarakeithdesigns

Blog: barbarakeithdesigns.blogspot.com

Email: bkeithdesigns@yahoo.com

What kind of mosaics do you make? Stained glass mosaics

When did you start making mosaics? 2004

How did you get into mosaics? I took a community education class about stained glass windows. I had a pile of scrap glass, so a few years later, I decided one day to make a mosaic. I didn’t know how, and didn’t even consult a book, I just did what felt right.

What inspires you? Nature, people, animals, the work of other artists

How did you develop your style? I’m self taught, and I resist taking classes so what I do is really mine.

How did you learn to make mosaics? Guessed.

How do you work best? During the day, listening to an audio book.

How do you approach a mosaic? For me the hardest part is deciding what to do. Once I have that figured out, I get to it. I am very focused while I work and I don’t really take breaks or get distracted unless it’s lunch time!

What do you do with your mosaics once you finish? Sell them, hopefully!

What have you learned? I’ve learned things about myself, like I’m a jumper. Even if I don’t know how to do something, I’ll say yes and jump in and figure out how to do it after that.

How do you fit mosaics into your personal/family life? I’ve got a wonderfully supportive hubby! This is my job and I feel very lucky.

Where do you work? I have a studio in the basement with a nice big southern exposure window. In the summer it’s cool down there and in the winter it’s warm.

What is your favorite thing about working as an artist? The freedom! I used to teach elementary school, which was very rewarding but demanding and stressful. I was always sick with colds and strep and had to drive to work in the cold and dark and snow… You know how it is! Now I can sleep in or take a day off. I set my schedule and get the work done when I want to do it. My commute is about 10 seconds. I love that!

Have you ever done public art, community art, worked with children, etc…? Doing public art is my passion! Over the years, I’ve been doing more and more public art and I love it! I love the challenges, and I love knowing that lots of people will see my work. This year I’ve done a lot of work for clinics and hospitals. I recently finished a big project up in Bemidji. I designed the 15,000 sf terrazzo floor for the new convention center/hockey arena.