I am a hobbyist photographer. I started with a film camera some years ago and enjoyed taking pictures of my daughters dance. I converted to digital after joining the Minnetonka Camera Club where I have presided as President and am currently Vice President and Membership Chair. The members there inspire me to create. I enjoy the beauty in all things whether it be flowers, places, wildlife or people. Especially my family.
Animals have always fascinated me, and from a young age, it just seemed right that I should draw them. I have gone through a progression from drawing hundreds of horses as a girl, through a love affair with big cats, to exploring some of the more ignored members of the animal kingdom. My current favorite subjects are reptiles and amphibians, especially the American Toad.
Not only are reptiles and amphibians fascinating and beautiful as objects themselves, they are surrounded by myth and folklore. My nerd itch is scratched both by drawing and reading about them. Through my art, I hope to explore both the physical beauty of these creatures and the mystery and lore that surrounds them.
Stained Glass - Framed and Suncatchers
I have been doing Stained glass since 2011. Started with a small piece with seashells and took me a "long" time. Questioned why would someone go through all that a second time. Was 6 months plus before I tried again. As I improved, I became possessed. It's hard, fun and sometimes frustrating, but I love it. Love Gulf Shores, AL and Northern MN.
I've been designing and creating leather goods from my Midwest studio since 2008. This one-woman studio produces bags and small leather goods for you to love and use every day!
I see beauty in the forgotten, the overlooked, and the cast-aside as old and no longer needed. I see something in the history of objects. My heart, soul, and hands want to change and create what beauty is really there. Old rusted metal on the ground, broken objects, and old wood are what I seek to bring to life".
"I also love using oil and cold wax as another medium".
Wood bowls, pine needle baskets and other wood items.
I have spent most of my life as a writer and workshop facilitator. It has only been in the last three years that I started doing Pebble Art and, more recently, stained glass play. The one thing I know for sure is that when my hands are creatively engaged, my mind and spirit are happier.
Let me know a little about your journey. Pop me a note on the contact page if you want. Part of my goal of once again building a website (I am not a fan of this) is to find my tribe, the people who seek the creative in all things, and yearn for a peaceful world.
Winding River has been in business for over 25 years. Our product line includes stained glass on repurposed treasures, and public art installations.
My paintings are all originals in a acrylics. I reuse frames and sometimes canvases. I paint on wood, rock and canvas. I paint from pictures and enjoy nature. I also have done some murals in stains and acrylics.
Murmuration
"When asked how long I’ve been making prints, I stumble. The easiest answer is since I was thirteen, when a family friend invited me to her print studio. It was certainly from that experience that I fell in love with printmaking, but that doesn’t completely answer the question. Even as a baby, I was fascinated by the impression my hands made in wet beach sand, the intricate lines that appeared when I pressed a paint covered thumb onto paper. In my earliest art classes, I scratched images into foam plates and printed them like stamps. How long have I been making prints? Well, forever… that is to say, from my earliest memories. In every print ever made, there is a history of process, a story told through impression. The grain of the wood or the bevel of the copper translate into paper something of their essence where wood becomes image, metal becomes paper, stone becomes print. It is in this transmutation of properties that my love of printmaking lies. Just as the mechanisms of printmaking guide my hand, my heart is inspired by the wonder of cycles and processes in nature. The marrying of these two passions, has informed my art as I seek to explore the intersection of humanity and nature in a world where nothing is untouched by man."
Emily Gray Koehler was born and raised in Traverse City, MI. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI in 2006. After relocating to Minnesota in 2008, she opened her own print studio in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metropolitan area and is now currently located in the Thorp Building in NE Minneapolis. Koehler’s work is represented in galleries throughout the Upper Midwest and may be found in public and private collections in the United States and Northern Europe.
NATIVE SKYWATCHERS PROGRAM
The Native Skywatchers (NSW) program materials includes constellation guidebooks, various star maps, a plani-spheres, and a teacher’s workbook. Our NSW research and programming continuously seeks out elders, culture teachers, language experts, and community members to discuss the Ojibwe and D(L)akota star knowledge. Under the direction of the NSW founding director; Annette Lee (Lakota), and artist William Wilson (Ojibwe) and with help from other native elders and educators, they have created two astronomically accurate, culturally important star maps, Ojibwe Giizhig Anung Masinaaigan Ojibwe Sky Star Map and Makoċe Wiċaŋḣpi Wowapi D(L)akota Sky Star Map.
These native star maps were disseminated to regional educators at the first Native Skywatchers Middle School Teacher workshop in 2012. In addition, hands-on curriculum that combines astronomy, culture, language and art has been developed. As with many North American tribes much cultural knowledge, especially cultural astronomy, has been lost. The goal of the Native Skywatchers programming is to build community around the native star knowledge.
Hand forged ironwork and knives. Woodworking, hand carved spoons, leatherwork and hand painted signs.
Witty Knitty Designs
Witty Knitty Designs was born of my fascination with the interactions of fiber and color. I first rediscovered knitting about ten years ago and loved creating with yarns of all kinds. Eventually, that led to the discovery of felting. Both techniques allow me to explore how different textures and colors can "play together" and create something beautiful. The possibilities are endless and motivate me to keep creating. My work also reflects a fascination with the interaction of fashion versus function versus art. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind creation. For the wearer, it is my hope that the piece will become a favorite in their wardrobe and a reflection of their own unique personality.
These wood turnings are made from a variety of domestic and foreign woods. They are all-natural colors and no two pieces are alike. I am inspired by the rich colors and patterns of wood grains and enjoy designing new combinations.
Open Windows - Wind Chimes
Metal Motion Art
MARINE LIFE COMES ALIVE WITH METAL MOTION ART ... SWIM WITH THE WIND
Artist Rick Hammer is best known for his three-dimensional motion sculptures and wall art made from scrap metal. Each sculpture is formed by hand with great attention to detail. Motion sculptures are meticulously balanced and assembled to create a fluid movement.
Northwoods Art & Book Festival 2021 Best of Show Winner
Pretty Dirt Pottery
Kate Hammer is the maker and dreamer of all things pretty while getting dirty in the process. I am the lucky mom of 3 mostly great kids and married to her handsome and handy hubby. She lives in rural northern MN on the Canadian border.
Tortuga Baskets
Jo Guttormson has been weaving beautiful, handcrafted baskets for over 20 years. She is a member of several guilds and attends national workshops and conventions where she hones her craft. She loves the basket-weaving community for all they have given her… skills, support, encouragement, road trips, and lots of laughs. Also, she LOVES sharing her craft with others.
Grucalla Rosetti Pottery - Raku Fired Pottery
Richard Gruchalla and Carrin Rosetti are a collaborative team working in the ceramic medium of raku. Each of them bring their individual skills to the studio to complete the work being made. Carrin is a fiber artist whose abilities in the use of color and detailed application of glazes enhance the thrown work that Richard produces on the potter’s wheel. Richard is a ceramic artist with over fifty years of experience working with clay.
