It’s a steamy Monday morning here in Cabin Country, Minnesota. At first glance, this looks dreary, but find the peace this dew-covered window gives. Mother Nature grabs my attention again and gives me something to see that I haven’t paid attention to in the past. I give thanks for simple blessings like this image. I find beauty in the storm; I find my inner peace.
Sample works: Orange watercolor, Yellow Gerbera Daisy, Hint of Gold, Gateway to Racepoint Beach, and Beach Life.
Orange Water colorYellow Gerbera DaisyHint of GoldGateway to racepoint matte lessBeach life
Commando Photozaic – artwork statement
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 technique is a labor-intensive multi-step process and starts with my journey into nature; recording the landscapes that spark my eye whether it be rolling hills or a babbling brook. After modifying the composition, I take the print and head to the stained-glass shop to find matching colors. I cut the glass by hand by taking smaller shards and placing them in a rock tumbler to remove sharp edges while larger pieces are sanded by hand and assembled in the frame. Grouting finishes the artwork allowing the detail of each cut glass shape to add texture to my art. I call commando, is liberating for me because it’s liberating to see the photo in sync with the frame, with no boundaries separating these two mediums from dancing: just beautiful fluid flow.
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.
Autumn is Summer’s last party celebrating a colorful season, so step outside and participate in Mother Nature’s gorgeous grand finale! For me, it’s like the trees are excited to shed the old in a colorful magical way; getting ready for their much-needed hibernation to rejuvenate and start fresh coming spring.
Commando photoziac artwork series statement:
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 technique is a labor-intensive multi-step process and starts with my journey into nature; recording the landscapes that spark my eye whether it be rolling hills or a babbling brook. After modifying the composition, I take the print and head to the stained-glass shop to find matching colors. I cut the glass by hand by taking smaller shards and placing them in a rock tumbler to remove sharp edges while larger pieces are sanded by hand and assembled in the frame. Grouting finishes the artwork allowing the detail of each cut glass shape to add texture to my art. This series I call commando, it’s liberating to see the photo in sync with the frame no boundaries separating these two mediums from dancing: just beautiful fluid flow.
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
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.
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.
Next Event Purple Rain Open Studio June’s 1st Thursday, 2nd floor studios will be open and I will be in attendance, so stop by and say hi and check out my new digs.
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.
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!
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:
Rainy Lake CalmSleeping Bear grassy BeahOrange WatercolorHarriet Island Eagle
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.
