Letters to CheeBah- the Beginning

Published September 9, 2024

How I decided to get you.

CheeBah I am writing these stories of our adventures and wanted to share with you how I decided to bring you into my life. It started with Uncle Kevin bringing home Bigsley( a Bow Tie Black Great Dane), and Uncle Tommy bringing home Bandit (a mixed pup with a little bit of everything). These were known at Aunties Boys, and I would spoil them every time we gathered and Grandma and Grandpa’s home for the holidays. Then I realized I wanted a furbaby and started researching what kind of Pup I needed. Due to my condo restrictions on dog size, I chose the Corgi breed. After a lot of searching and finding the right breeder, I came across your mom Mia, and dad Dakotah. Funny looking back on it now, but your mom picked me and knew she had the perfect baby for me. So, I put money down before you were born and patiently waited for you to enter this world. You got your mom’s ears, markings, and love of people; from your dad, you got his head, smile and OMG you are my best friend to anyone that came to our home.

Bandit and Bigsley- AKA Aunties Boys

CheeBah- Daddy Dakota- Mommy Mia

CheeBah your name came from a few places; I loved the movie Sand Lot my favorite phrase in the movie was, “You are killing me, smalls!” and my love of my Boys – Bigsley was a large dog, Bandit, and a medium-sized so why not a small dog. I googled Welsch for Small Dog and Chia Bach is the original spelling of your name, but Uncle Kevin kept calling you Chewbacca, so I changed the spelling to CheeBah making it easier for people to pronounce. Well to my surprise CheeBah is known as a herbal that people wrap up to smoke and relax from daily stresses. It took me six months to realize this and laughed at people’s expressions when I told them your name. I don’t look like a herbal smoker.. LOL

To be continued………………..

The Cabin Show at Dow Gallery

Published July 30, 2024

The Cabin Show at Dow Gallery

Exhibition dates: august 17^th through October 5^th, 2024

Location: 2242 University Ave W, St. Paul, MN 55114

Website: https://www.dowartgallery.com/

The great news just keeps pouring in! I have two more works accepted into the Cabin Art show just minutes from my home!

Accepted works:

End of Day

Sunsets are proof that no matter what happens, every day can end beautifully by Kristen Butler- Go out and be one with Mother Nature; allow her to show you we are all one with the universe. So, fill your heart with beautiful images that keep your Soul’s light shining bright! End of Day reminds me of a symphony, where all participants flow in harmony and my camera is the composer- one of the best gifts given to me from nature.

Beach Life

Life is like an Ocean or in this case a Great Lake; sometimes it can be calm, rough waves, gorgeous blue waters, or jet black with white caps but at the end of the day it is always beautiful. Simple views like this help me recharge my soul, releasing creativity like endorphins after a workout so I can share my visual art to the world.

Beauty in the Ordinary

Published July 22, 2024

Exhibition dates: August 1^st-31^st 2024

https://www.avacenter.org

Yellow Gerber Daisy

There’s a difference between pretty and beautiful. When someone is pretty, they have a good appearance, but when someone is beautiful, they shine from the inside out. – by Rishikajain.

Morning, Noon, Night Exhibition

Published May 30, 2024

By Attleboro Arts Museum

Website: https://attleboroartsmuseum.org/morning-noon-night/

Dates: June 14^th through July 19^th, 2024

Opening Awards Reception: Saturday, June 15th

Address: Attleboro Arts Museum

86 Park St. Attleboro, MA 02703

Thank Attleboro Arts Museum and Lennon Hernandez Wolcott for accepting this work.

Accepted work: Orange Watercolor – Commando photozaic

The sunset silhouettes of the islands have been like no other I’ve seen on my travels, knowing you are in borderland country (Minnesota/Canada) when you see the trees bouncing off the evening sky. In my eyes each sunset is unique and unlike the previous day. Colors from sunsets change just like the seasons. Late summer sunsets have the deepest orange fading into the twilight blue.

Commando photozaic – statement:

How can I construct an image that moves beyond the surface? Photozaics, of course! My award-winning Photozaics are inspired by where Van Gogh’s textures meet Ansel Adam’s simplicity near the intersection of Bob Ross’ healing vibes. This series I call commando as for me it’s liberating to see the photo dancing in sync with the frame.

New Studio News flash!

Published May 21, 2024

It’s official, I have studio space at Solar Arts Building, 2nd-floor #205. I share this space with fabulous painters, and I just love the art community here at Solar. If you want to learn more about events at Solar, please follow them on Instagram or check out the events section on the website.

solarartsbuilding

https://solarartsbuilding.com/solar-arts-blog/

Next Event Purple Rain Open Studio June’s 1^st Thursday, 2^nd floor studios will be open and I will be in attendance, so stop by and say hi and check out my new digs.

Guess what time it is…. That’s right! Art-a-Whirl!

Published May 3, 2024

Just two weeks away.

I’m blessed to announce I’m officially renting studio space at Solar Arts Building, second-floor studio #205. I share this space with 3 other artists, and I am happy to have a home here at Solar!

Details on AAW

Solar arts building: https://solarartsbuilding.com/solar-arts-building-events/

Dates: May 17^th– through 19th.

I will also have a piece or two in Fox Den – under Art to change the world.

ACW: https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/mission/

This year I’m participating in Passports on Parade this weekend too! Check out the website for more details and how to get your passport- there is a limited amount so do not hesitate.

Passports on Parade

I call it a scavenger hunt for artists’ stamps in the passport. Why do this? Opportunities to learn about the artist and their visions, see great art, and win $500.00 credit to spend on ACW artwork! I know, AWESOME!

Side note:

My stamp is CheeBah approved! Who doesn’t love a Corgi??

Below are some samples you will see this weekend.

Common Bond’s new Lumin facility in St. Paul, MN

Published April 25, 2024

I’m thrilled to announce these two pieces sold for a great cause! These two lovely works Golden Gate Bridge and Hill is alive with color (formal photoziacs) future home is with Common Bond’s new The Lumin facility at 830 Cretin Ave, Saint Paul, MN. This wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for Art to change the world, and I’m proud to be a task force member! I’ve seen so much positive social change since joining back in 2020. Below are the links to artwork for Common Bond and Art to change the world! Join if you feel compelled, do not need to be local or an artist we have a diverse group of members with backgrounds ranging from artists, business owners, and educators just to name a few.

I love projects like this one where everyone wins! I can’t wait to see the faces of these women who come here and see they are worthy of great art hanging on their living walls. I hope that some or all tenants find their creative gifts and will someday share them with the world. So let us keep sending out positive vibes and continue to encourage others that they are worthy of a great life!

https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/acws-art-treasures-gallery/

https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/mission/

Great article for Form + Content

Published March 28, 2024

I was reading Cory Eull’s article on Form + Content, great article by the way, and My artwork Pine Edged Road photographed in Hewig Hotel was featured! I love surprises like this one! My day just keeps getting better. Feeling blessed and humbled. Thank you Form+ content and Cory Eull.

https://www.mplsart.com/written/2024/03/resonance-and-quietude-form-content-s-open-loop-2024

Show goes through April 6, 2024, great talent and a must-see show.

Website: https://www.formandcontent.org/open-loop

Catalog of artists

https://www.canva.com/design/DAF662najiE/2Ha9eaLYMYm57ZMhh3-0Sw/view?utm_content=DAF662najiE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=viewer

2024 art crawl – Schmidt Artist Lofts

Published March 14, 2024

Saint Paul’s Spring Art Crawl- weekend

Dates: April 19th through the 21st.

Times: Friday 6-9 pm, Saturday 12-7 pm and Sunday 12-5 pm

Address: 900 W. 7^th Street Saint Paul, MN 55102 (just look for the large smokestack with “Schmidt’s”)

Website: https://stpaulartcollective.org/

I’m blessed to be one of the visiting artists for the 2024 Art Crawl at Schmidt Artists Lofts. So much talent is located in this historic Brewery! I will be in the atrium and will be demonstrating my commando photozaics showing my process. Along with my photozaics both Commando and Formal, I will have canvas-wrapped infrared photos. I will have matted prints in color and IR in various sizes (these are 50% off). I am introducing my dragonfly ornaments made from wire and various stones that help with, negative energy, prosperity, grounding, and protection!

Samples of my works for this show!

Emma Norton restoring Waters project: Heart + home: Artwork that Heals.

Published February 22, 2024

I am honored to share that I was one of 23 artists chosen to join the Restoring Waters Project at Emma Norton. The project is titled: Heart + Home: Artwork that Heals (A project of ACW and Emma Norton at Restoring Waters).

The link below for more information about this project:

Restoring Waters

Below are the works going into this project.

About Emma Norton

Vision statement: Emma Norton Services is a trauma-informed organization that promotes healing and recovery, operating at a scale that brings a full array of resources to women, individuals, and families who have experienced homelessness. Housing and services are exemplary, and offered in collaboration with key community partners.

Website: https://emmanorton.org/