Herbtser Studio Art Tour

Description

The Herbster Studio Art Tour has been a Herbster community event since 2009.  Over those 13 years, the mission of the tour has been the same.  As stated in the HSAT Purpose and Guidelines, the mission is to:  (1) Promote the creative arts within Herbster/Town of Clover and (2) Encourage relationships within the artist community and between artists and the broader community.



ARTIST BIOS:
JANE HERRICK: Mixed Media, Abstract Painting, & Fiber Sculpture 
I am a practicing studio artist living on the south shore of Lake Superior in Wisconsin and in the Catalina foothills of Tucson, AZ. I explore various materials and techniques in my fiber, painting, and mixed-media artworks to express meaning and emotion. Experimentation plays a big role in my personal approach to art; it is through experimentation that I begin each piece. Many times, I combine a variety of techniques and materials to arrive at unique conceptual works. Whether it’s found objects from the natural environment or man-made, my goal is to allow the piece to develop given the characteristics of the materials and the influences from my environment. I must give up total control of any former or preconceived ideas, old habits, or new successes. Only then do the materials, the form, and the ideas from my surroundings take charge and become what they will to create unusual introspective structures, mixed media collages, or paintings. When this happens,
I become aware of something different in the work . . . something that I had not seen before. This is exciting and refreshing, and to me it is the essence of creativity. 
I earned my undergraduate degree in Art Education at Michigan State University and a graduate degree in Textile and Design at the University of Iowa. I retired from teaching in the Department of Art & Design at University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire. I show my work in selected regional, national, and international exhibitions. _________________________________________________________________________
DIANA LEE O’BRIEN: Painting & Fiber Arts
At the grand age now of 75, I am sure that I have for most of my life been an artist. I work to create beauty in many ways: painting, fiber art, gardening, singing, dancing, haircutting and healing. I have pursued a creative life in all my chosen paths in Cosmetology, Marriage, Massage Therapy, Motherhood, Emotional Release Work, Couples Coaching, and Grandmotherhood. 
In an enchanted home on the edge of Lake Superior, I live with my husband and muse, Patrick. I invite you to join me in my studio for a viewing and celebration of my work. ________________________________________________________________________________
DALE PAULSON: Woodturning 
My wife, Cathy, and I live year-round in Herbster; a love of the natural, peaceful surroundings keeps us here. Early experiences in my life included farming and the Navy, which exposed me to many cultures and foreign countries. Later, sawmilling and logging filled my working time in Herbster. 
Now retired, beekeeping takes much of my time as I maintain 25 to 30 colonies. I enjoy gardening in my vegetable garden, and in my “big garden” which is comprised of 140 acres of surrounding woodland that I intensely manage. I was honored to be the 2017 Wisconsin Tree Farmer of the Year in recognition of my work and success in forest management and conservation. I spend most of my woodworking time turning and finishing bowls for decorative and functional use. During my logging operations, I look for “character” wood to bring into my shop for future use. Some of the wood is obtained from blown-down or dead trees. Many years in sawmill work and logging helped me to “see what’s inside” the workpiece. After being selected, the piece is turned and finished to expose the beauty within. Cathy and I also have our honey and beeswax candles available for year-round purchase at our home in Herbster. _____________________________________________________________________________ 
SCOTT SAMPLE: Painter 
Art tells a story. When I’m inspired to create a piece, or even a whole series, it’s rare that I know the exact outcome; in fact, it never seems to be the exacting initial vision that becomes the piece. Process always seems to determine the direction, like a fluid dance. Creating art is so much about the process; what happens along the long and convoluted road to completion is the fabric that will ultimately tie people together through it. Art becomes this dynamic beautiful vessel for binding us together with experience and meaning. It’s really in the telling of the story that we find an open door into the hearts of others. Art can be where a new understanding is gained and from where true imagination springs. 
The core of my work, and what I’ve been seeing lately, is when I listen to artists talk about their work, whether it is a piece of music, a painting or craft, the meaning and purpose are best described by story. Real stories of how the art was created and, more so, what happens afterwards, the effect and impact upon others. The connections of what we create with creating meaning for others has become the bedrock of my work. 
Art has taught me that life is not always about what we bring, contribute, or add. Often, it’s what we take away, or don't say, that makes a moment sublime. 
 
When the winds are calm, you can often see an amazing reflection of nature’s brilliance on the surface of the lake. Creating 
art is a continual process of moving forward, pulling back, and looking for the image and the whole story. This ebb and flow is the core of my inspiration. Such tension compels me to bring image and spirit to life through painting. 
Many of my works are constructs, building visual concepts with materials like oil on plaster, wood, copper, and glass. I am intrigued with letting the materials help determine the process and tell a story. This organic method allows me to look inward for meaning, embracing the tools of metaphor, icon, symbol, and words. 
I enjoy creating works that are approachable, and with meanings to peel back and uncover over time. By deconstructing themes larger than ourselves the work communicates something deeper than the material world around us. Within my paintings I strive to create a parallel sense of the present and the eternal, inviting the viewer into intimate questions of self. 
When the winds are calm, you can often see an amazing reflection of nature’s brilliance on the surface of the lake. Creating art is a continual process of moving forward, pulling back, and looking for the image and the whole story. This ebb and flow is the core of my inspiration. Such tension compels me to bring image and spirit to life through painting. 
Many of my works are constructs, building visual concepts with materials like oil on plaster, wood, copper, and glass. I am intrigued with letting the materials help determine the process and tell a story. This organic method allows me to look inward for meaning, embracing the tools of metaphor, icon, symbol, and words. 
I enjoy creating works that are approachable, with meaning to peel back and uncover over time. By deconstructing themes larger than ourselves, the work communicates something deeper than the material world around us. With my paintings, I strive to create a parallel sense of the present and the eternal inviting the viewer into intimate questions of self. 
______________________________________________________________________________
SARA MUSTONEN: Weaving & Jewelry 
The desire to create functional, attractive and unique handwoven items is what makes weaving so pleasurable for me. The rhythmic motion of throwing the shuttle, pounding the beater and watching patterns and colors emerge before my eyes brings joy to my day. Scarves made of Tencel, towels made of cotton/linen, and rugs made of wool are a few of the things you will find at my studio on the shores of Lake Superior. 
To satisfy my desire for creativity while spending the winters in the Southwest, I’ve added jewelry-making to my artistic endeavors. Earrings made from sterling silver are my main focus. Nothing delights me more than the look and feel of a beautiful pair of hand-made silver earrings. _____________________________________________________________________________ 
SUSAN STRONG MCDONALD: Botanical Painting
Usually I start by bringing a plant into my studio. If it is a common plant, or something from my garden, I may dig it up and move it into a small pot. If it is very large, then I may put it into water and bring it in with a vase. Getting to “know” the plant is important. Does it move with the sun? How are the leaves attached to the stem? Are there stipules? Thorns? Coloration on the stem? Is it blooming? Which flowers open first? Which flowers will be the last to bloom? Does the color change as the flowers age? 
It’s a bit anthropomorphic to say plants have “personalities.” But they certainly have defining characteristics, ways of moving, and fragrances. I think that live plants have a spiritual base, different from animals, but poignant nonetheless. 
A good botanical painting captures some of these indefinable qualities. That is what I aim for and what I hope will be captured on paper. My intentions are to paint unique characteristics of a plant and to present them in ways that create a beautiful composition for even the most ordinary “weed.”