Tony's Medicine Shield

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8ft. x 8ft.  Acrylic

Here's what I've been working on for several months now.  I can finally say the painting part is finished.  Now on to several coats of varnish. 

I've been working on these two 4' x 8' panels in my studio space on the main floor of our home. (I took over the dining room....moved the rectangle table over to the opposite wall that you see here.  It has a shelf unit on it that holds art supplies.)  

The varnish job will happen in the basement where I can lay the panels out flat.   That area is laundry / food storage / art show display storage / furnace / glass kiln area.  Yes.....we tend to "multi task" and use most the house for different projects.

Tony's Medicine Shield is to hang on the outside of the Indian Artifact Museum in Bentonsport, IA.  The business District will be considered "officially" open for the 2015 season on April 18th.   All the B & B's stay open year around.

The making of this years wine poster

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Above is the beginning  layout on the Wallis paper.  This is actually step 2 of when I start a work like this.  1st step : drawing out the design on either drawing paper, or poster paper........ reworking everything to come up with the exact line work I want, then  turning the sketched paper into a carbon.  This is done by taking pastel and rubbing it all over the back of the drawing.  Then, carefully lay it over the Wallis paper, go over the line work and "Ta Da"......the end result as you see above.

I like the spontaneity of brush and line work applied in a painterly light stroke when starting a work.  When there is need for me to be tight with line work,  I prefer to use the above method of starting a painting.  This way, I don't fill the tooth of the paper with working out the elements of the composition. 

 Now the fun part begins............

Step 3 :  Blocking in color and balancing the light values with the dark ones.  The color of the paper remains in the middle value range.

 Step 4 :  continue refining line work and blocking in color......

Step 5:  The finished piece!  Here I study what I've completed.  I look at the overall  "balance" of lights and darks / cool and warm color and make changes if necessary.

"2014 Iowa Nouveau Wine"  24"x18" Soft Pastel on Wallis paper.

The owner of Tassel Ridge was pleased with the finished work.   I feel this is a sophisticated version of Art Nouveau style.  I've been told it feels more "Modern".

Poster reproductions of this work will be available in November.  I will be at the winery signing them on November 20th.  The signed poster is "Free" with purchase of a bottle of 2014 IA Nouveau wine. 

I'll re-post the final image in November with detailed announcement of the winery's IA Nouveau wine celebration.

First in a series.......

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24"x18" Pastel on board

This is the first of 4 (maybe 5) pastel paintings that I'm doing of Bentonsport, IA. I'm hoping to have the image made into posters....maybe a limited edition of 500 of each painting.  They will be available one year at a time.  This one is for 2014.  All proceeds from the sale of 500 signed  posters will be designated for maintaining the newly renovated Stone House.  The original paintings are being donated to the Bentonsport Improvement Association.

The images here, starting from the top, are of the Old Iron Bridge across the Des Moines River, partial image of the Gazebo in the park and rose bush and irises from the Rose Garden.  The main painting is of the Presbyterian Church, built in 1855.   It sits high on the North hillside in the middle of town.  The other building is of the newly renovated Stone House that is along the main highway J40 which runs through the center of Bentonsport.   The Bentonsport Improvement Association is responsible for maintaining both of these buildings.

The church is used for weddings and hosts non-denomination services during warm weather months. (no heat...old wood stove is just kept for looks)

The BIA received a grant in 2013 to renovate the shell of a building known as The Stone House.  It was originally a 2 story structure built in the early 1800's.  It now will be available for rent as a gathering place for family reunions, wedding receptions, Village Folk School classes, etc.   It is handicapped accessible and has a beautiful kitchen area.  Just guessing here, but I believe I overheard someone state the open space can easily hold approx.80 people that can mingle and sit at tables that are provided.

Posters should be available in May.   They can be  purchased at the Iron & Lace store in Bentonsport.

2013 Iowa Nouveau Poster for Tassel Ridge Winery - the Progression

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Finished Pastel is 24"x18"  
Property of Tassel Ridge Winery and posters this size will be available this fall when they introduce this years Iowa Nouveau wine. 

For more information about Tassel Ridge and the release of their wines, go to:
http://www.tasselridge.com

I loved this project and have to give a BIG THANK YOU to my model Chris. 

Last page of book illustration

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Image size: 8.25" x 16.75"- Soft Pastel on MiTentes Canson paper.



Well....I feel happy with the end result of this, the first book illustration I've ever done.  What a challenge!  The story is Wonderful!  The title is "Why We Run" -written by Libby Samples of Danville, IA.

Each page has a large area for the storyline and an image of a stream filled with muddy water.  I'll post contact information for purchase when the book becomes available.  The 16 panels (32 pages of the book) will be picked up by the author today.

Now....clean up time before I start the next project.  

2012 Iowa Nouveau Poster

24"x18"  Soft Pastel on Wallis paper

Here's this years poster design for Tassel Ridge Winery's 2012 Iowa Nouveau wine.  It will be released when the wine is available to the public in November.  The winery is located just off Highway 163 between Oskaloosa, IA and Pella, IA.  You can read more about the winery by going to http://www.tasselridge.com

I have to say....Thanks April for being my model.  She has beautiful naturally curly hair and is so full of life.

I really enjoy creating in the Art Nouveau style.  I'm thinking of making it my signature style....what do ya think?  send me an email with "Art Nouveau Vote" in the subject line.  ginlammert@yahoo.com

Grape Cluster

Acrylic outdoor paint on metal surface.

The guy that commissioned this work had wondered into my studio in Bentonsport this Spring and asked if could paint the door to his barn.  He brought the door to me and here is the end result. 

I finished working on it here, behind the bank building at Bentonsport.  When the gentleman came to pick up his door....he seemed very pleased.

Tassel Ridge Winery Poster

21"x17"   Soft Pastel on Wallis paper

Here is the finished project I've been working on for Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, IA.  I'm hoping it will be used as the Poster to announce their 2011 Iowa Nouveau wine.  I had fun working on this piece.....it created quite the stir while I had it on my easel at Iron & Lace Store.