UpNorthica » Art

Daily Affirmations from a ‘Sconnie Microbrew Label

Andy — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:06:17 +0000

After canoeing last week through parts of the Boundary Waters ravaged by the 2006 Famine Lake fire, I had to smile at this one…

Duluth illustrator Rick Allen‘s logo design for a microbrew, offers up sage words. And, as always with Mr. Allen’s work, it’s served with a chaser of mirth and wit. Witnessing how just one lightning strike can devastate a forest is sobering, but as we saw, growth and renewal are never far behind. Change is always at work. Cheers, Rick!

By the way, you can pick up a Burntwood Black print here, and pick up a mug of the brew itself, here. Sounds tasty; anyone out there had it yet?

Brandenburg Sees Infrared

Andy — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:02:03 +0000

They radiate light and warmth, while plunging us into deep, cool shadow. And they’re not even in color.

Jim Brandenburg‘s latest infrared photos once again prove his talent in capturing not only moments and places, but also light. These exposures were apparently taken at his home, just outside the sauna. Which is apparently the most beautiful sauna since the Roman baths.

Lovely work, Jim! We all love to see what you see.

Found on Flickr: Bryan Hansel

Andy — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:02:17 +0000

bwca1 by Bryan Hansel

A single photo of Lac La Croix can’t easily capture its marvelous expanses. Maybe that’s why these panoramics by Bryan Hansel are so successful.

The Grand Marais photographer and avid paddler recently uploaded the stunning views of border lakes in his photostream. Lac La Croix here is only one of the lucky subjects in the series. If viewing them has you wanting more, you should check out his site. Nice work, Bryan. More, more!

We’ve Got Your Free Caribou Coupon Right Here

Andy — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:43:18 +0000

I’ve never been to Lake Superior’s Slate Islands; never seen caribou in the wild, either. But thanks to Layne Kennedy, I sure feel like I have now.

Backpacker just posted a slideshow of the Minnesota photographer’s work among Ontario’s largest herd. Seems fitting that creatures of such mythical, otherworldly beauty should live on islands formed by a meteorite impact.

Kennedy’s fine images from the islands are worth a prolonged look, and I guarantee, way cheaper than visiting in person.

Environmental Art — Inside the BWCA?

Andy — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:17:35 +0000

Maybe it’s their close harmony with the boreal landscape, that attracts me. But Finland’s apparently thriving community of environmental artists, like Olavi Lanu, produces some truly beautiful works.

But how would you feel if you saw something like this in the Boundary Waters? Read on and join the conversation…

While I do consider myself a leave-no-tracer, part of me would still love to see art like this in the wild, now and then. Don’t get me wrong: not plopped conspicuously on some campsite or oft-visited island. In fact, sometimes finding inuktuks (stacked rocks resembling a human figure) in prominent spots like that can be downright obnoxious. But I think there’s no harm in short-lived artworks that blow, wash or melt away at Nature’s whim (see Andy Goldsworthy’s leaf compositions.)

I’m undecided about more lasting installations, like the one pictured above. Best suited for a sculpture park in Grand Marais or Ely? Or would it be so horrible to have just a few that could only be found via GPS coordinates, outside the normal line of sight? And by professional, commissioned names? Of course, controlling/regulating all that could be nightmarish…

We usually don’t like to host debates on UpNorthica, but what do you think? Would environmental art ‘fit’ within the Boundary Waters? Or should art-making be limited to only what the camera captures?

Robo Turkeys, Mechanical Moose

Arthur — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:28:24 +0000

Wildlife Decoys from Custom Robotic Wildlife

Next time you try to shoot a deer out of season you might be the one getting bagged.

Across the nation, poaching is a growing problem. It further endangers protected species and threatens the health of the overall animal population. The amount of illegally killed whitetail deer is estimated being equal to 25-30% of the annual harvest by licensed hunters.

For a few seasons now, law enforcement agencies have been using decoys to hunt the poachers. But these aren’t your grandpappy’s hand-whittled decoys; these critters are endowed with gears and remotes and whatnot.

Custom Robotic Wildlife, a Wisconsin company makes the robotic animals. If you’re in the market for one, they cost around $1,300, but a law enforcement officer can make up the cost with as little as 2 fines. Some report netting as much as $30,000.00 in fines from a single decoy.

Via Tree Hugger and America Public Media.

Cross Quetico Canoe Marathon: It’s ON… Again

Andy — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:39:16 +0000

Shmeaceful shmolitude — it’s high time for a frickin’ all-out canoe marathon in the Border Region!

The kind with like, grueling 8000-rod portages. Lots of whitewater (they’d have to fly that in.) Perilous swarms of mosquitoes. Flocks of camp-raiding, gorp-stealing whiskeyjacks. And speed — sweaty, cussing man-powered speed. Oh, and injuries; a few good paddle-to-the-face ones. Maybe even airdrop some wolverines over the portages, just to keep it from being a total walk in the park/pleasure cruise.

A race we shall have: The Cross Quetico Classic Marathon Canoe Race (that’s a mouthful) is coming on August 8-9. Granted, it won’t likely be as nasty as my imaginings and it’ll only touch on Minnesota’s side of the border. Even so, it’s a brilliant way to help celebrate the provincial park’s centennial. Plus, a little competition to stir up the waters is long overdue — by almost 50 years.

Originally conceived by the Ely and Atikokan Chambers of Commerce to draw attention to the area’s outdoor rec potential, the Cross Quetico was held for just three years: 1962 to ‘64. But during that short run, the race featured big-name competitors like Gene Jensen (canoe builder and inventor of the bent-shaft paddle) and Ralph Sawyer of Sawyer Canoes.

In its last year, the race was infamously won by two Atikokanites, Eugene “Bonhomme” Tetreault and Joe “Sauvage” Meany. Wait, voyageur nicknames? “Good Man and the Savage?” I’m liking that. Their strategy of cutting two of their own portages (and even false trails to mislead others) caused a bit of controversy — and hopefully set the tone for this year. Mwah-ha-ha-ha.

Yeah, we’re a little enthusiastic about it, if you hadn’t gathered…

There’s more to be seen and heard as the 2009 canoe marathon approaches, so keep checking UpNorthica.com for updates!

Found on Flickr: Matthew Taylor

Andy — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:39:12 +0000

Every so often, we’ll see a photo on the Boundary Waters Flickr Group Pool that’s worthy of mention.

“Words Can Not Begin to Describe,” (above) left us a little speechless.

Taylor, a photography major at University of Central Missouri, also has several others he’s taken in the Best Place on Earth Ever. Speaking of which, Matthew — which lake *is* the picture taken on? Beautiful work!

Four Free Things to Do Outdoors This Weekend

Andy — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 01:54:22 +0000

This week, President Obama proclaimed June “Great Outdoors Month,” and with good reason. There’s a slew of celebrations during the month, including National Trails Day, National Fishing and Boating Week, National Get Outdoors Day, and the Great American Backyard Campout.

But before you start Googling all those, check out our list of Five Free Things offered this weekend, both Up North and state-wide. Read on…

Free License to Fish
It’s “Take-A-Kid Fishing” weekend once again. Never a better time to teach your kid how to not catch fish, and you won’t need to buy a license for it. Details here.
Free admission to all Minnesota State Parks on Sunday
The MN-DNR will hold an Open House for all, with special family events at select parks. Details here.
Free entry, parking and camping at Voyageurs National Park (okay, they’re free year-round, but it’s a fantastic deal.) Details here.
And if you’re worried about the weather dampening any plans,
Free admission to Minnesota Historical Society museums and sites
Any or all of ‘em. Pick from 26 sites and museums to rescue a forecasted rainy weekend. Details and map of sites here.

Hey, it’s Friday evening and you should leave your computer and rest up; you’ve got a lot of playing to do.

“The First Wildlife Photographer (R.I.P.)”

Andy — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:59:32 +0000

We found this piece of silhouette art, rather to our liking. It did bring about a certain air of mirth as we recalled our many prolepses incurred whilst in the pursuit of Inspiration. Via Silhouette Masterpiece Theatre.

Loon print by Eleanor Grosch

Andy — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:59:25 +0000

This limited-edition silkscreen print caught our eye and just may have us by the pocketbook too. Looks perfect for the walls of any house… or boathouse.

Balancing Rocks

Andy — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:52:33 +0000

Ease into the week by watching artist Bill Dan doing some *real* work.

This reminded us of many lazy hours making our own sculptures around the campsite. Do you find yourself wanting to trade jobs with him, too? Via SwissMiss.

Art of the Canoe Exhibit

Arthur — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 05:10:43 +0000

While this post lives a little more DownSouthica (just Winona, not the bayou thankfully) it has everything to do with one of the great loves of any self-respecting Northerner: Canoes.

The Art of the Canoe exhibit at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona, MN gives you everything you love about canoes (hand-built beauty and plenty o’ fiberglass lightness) and none of what you hate (yup, that would be summer camp, soul-crushingly heavy aluminum). The exhibit, which runs through August 22nd, has everything from a birch-bark by Bill Hafeman, to the first boat by We-no-nah Canoes founder Mike Cichanowski. The exhibit also includes art and photography as well as several hand crafted wooden paddles.

You can find more information on the Minnesota Marine Museum’s website and for a good synopsis of the show, there is more from MinnPost.

…In Which We Offer Our Most Unabashed Approbation of The Kenspeckle Letterpress

Andy — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:24:32 +0000

I’m sure there actually are words to describe the fanciful works coming out of the Kenspeckle Letterpress — but those words are above and beyond the grasp of my humble lexicon.

The engravings, prints and posters of Duluth resident Rick Allen feature images of boreal wildlife, as well as mirthful scenes of camping misadventures. Often, the two seem to comfortably coexist within the same artwork. Plus, that hand-rendered typography is just so-o-o tasty (again, words fail me.)

Happily, the studio has a slew of the featured artworks for sale. ‘Scuse me while I go Craigslist half my earthly belongings and get me a few o’ these…

Environmental Artist Alastair Heseltine

Andy — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:21:22 +0000

We at UpNorthica love Nature. And we love Art. But one of our greatest loves is Art that speaks about Nature.

Alastair Heseltine is a sculptor who does just that. Drawing influence from design, craft production, farming and rural life, Heseltine creates pieces that seem to reflect on the balance of living in cooperation with the environment… and living in opposition to it.

Beautiful stuff; I so wish we had more of this in our state. Via Wend Blog.