Elk River Arts Alliance

			Arts Exhibits in the Gallery: One View, Three Artists and Stained Glass Too! May 7-June 13, 2009.  Opening Reception May 9, 1-4PM A collaboration of Landscape Interpretations The artist team of Cheryl LeClair- Sommer, Lisa Stauffer and Michelle Wegler paint together to capture their differing responses to the same landscape. During expeditions outdoors, the painters create realistic works of art highlighting each artistís personal interpretation of the subject. They find that working in nature enlivens the senses and calms the spirit. The paintings record the immediate response and approach of each artist to the mood of the scene, revealing three unique perspectives. An additional feature in this exhibit will be stained glass artwork by Mary Olson. Included will be Tiffany style lamps and stained glass panels of various sizes. Mary is also a painter. The Arts Alliance Gallery 716 Main Street, Elk River. For more information call the Gallery at 763 441-4725. The Gallery is Open to the Public Thurdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 12-6PM.

Elk River Arts Alliance Reception

May 9 opened our most recent show "One View, Three Visions" in the beautiful new Arts Alliance Gallery  (http://www.elkriverart.org.). The viewers were interested in the idea of three artists painting the same scene. Many were surprised to learn that we paint outside in all kinds of weather. 

A young and talented harpist added to the  peaceful feeling the paintings inspired.

May 7-June 13, 2009.

The Arts Alliance Gallery 716 Main Street, Elk River. For more information call the Gallery at 763 441-4725. The Gallery is Open to the Public Thurdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 12-6PM. 

Plein air painters do portraits!

Nationally esteemed portrait painter Leslie DeMille was in Minneapolis April 4-10 to teach a portrait painting workshop.  Les was informative and patient with us all! The skills we learned will improve all our paintings, whether landscapes or portraits. 

Michelle, Lisa, and Cheryl with Les DeMille.

Cheryl painting in class.

Lisa painting in class.

Cheryl wins award at Elk River National Juried Exhibit

Cheryl was fortunate to receive an Award of Excellence for a piece at the Elk River National Juried Exhibit, selected from over 1000 entries throughout the United States. This large piece was created using a plein air sketch created this fall. The location is a small market near Cathedral Hill in St. Paul.

A fine day to paint outside

Here's Michelle with her outdoor easel. She's usually the photographer and only her easel is in the photos. Thank you, Cheryl!

"Warmer" weather painting outside

Today's paint-out took us to Jay Cooke State Park. The sun was shining and the temperature was in the 20's, above. It is a beautiful park, so many paintings. But we had only the day, so we painted at two spots. 

"Hello" to the snowshoers who stopped by our easels while we were painting!

Out and painting!

I don't know why, but we seem to get together to paint frequently in the winter. Is that because we're in Minnesota? Here the four seasons are "winter is coming, winter, still winter, road construction". We hardly ever paint "road construction", but barns make great subjects in every season!