Tents $35
Belinda Kemp
Giclee reproduction, archival print from original acrylic painting on wood.

Lacebark Pine $7
Archival print of ink and digital.
studiolyon

Shattered Reflection, Reeds Lake $25
Photographic print on archival paper.
Deb Scudder

We’re Happy Here $12
Archival print from original pen and ink drawing with digital coloring.
Maggy O’Reilly

Fifty-Two Rings On A Tree $30
Original hand-pulled etching on archival paper.
Amber Perrodin

New Growth $45
Archival print from original painting.
Danna Ray

Swirling Spores $10
Screen print made from original drawing on archival paper.
Elise Towie Snow

Backpack $39
Original ink and watercolor sketch on archival paper.
David Lloyd

White Pine $30
Giclee print from digital image.
Reid Peterson

Modern Birch $15
Digital print on matte cotton stock.
Noelle O’Reilly

The north woods play a prominent theme in her artwork, created through her studio, Over The Edge.

Sometimes inspiration springs out of adverse conditions…as in Karen’s story. She and a group of artist friends found themselves stuck indoors when a cross-country ski trip in northern Minnesota went bust and they awoke to 4 inches of ice on everything. But that was only after the cabin they had booked burnt down and they were placed in a shed for the duration of their trip.

Undaunted, they began to improve their accommodations and get creative with a discarded pile of wood. A few handmade chairs later, Karen decorated them with borrowed paints and tools. Out of the seeming clutter, functional works of beauty were built.

So, it got her scheming. If she could pull together a haphazard pile of wood and turn it into art, why not try it back home? The day after she got home, she picked up a wood burning tool. The weekend away was the motivating factor that made her realize she wanted to create art full time.

Months later she was selling her artwork that inspires people to “live the life they love”.

Her creations, both functional and decorative, are made from tactile mediums such as glass and wood. She not only travels with her winter gear, but also with her tool set: saws, hammers, wire and paint. Her whimsical paintings of quiet northern woods, a night filled with fireflies, or the canoeist taking a moonlight dip, will appeal to those who find solace outdoors. Common plaques, mirrors, hooks and bowls are transformed by her brush.

We recently met Karen at the Winter Camping Symposium. There she had beautifully re-worked two wooden, garage sale chairs. She replaced their old coverings with new canvas and embellished them with winter scenes. And because you need a place to set your cocoa down when you’re watching the snowflakes fall, she built a wanigan box, painting a chilly scene on it. As a result, it has got her contemplating making more chairs. We hope she does.

Karen sells her work throughout the United States and locally. Look for a location near you. Psst…she makes holiday ornaments as well.

This spectacular moment in time was captured by Ethan G. Knuti. We just love how every space of the exposure is utilized to capture color and beauty in this photo, Autumn Colors & Loon. Even the wake stirred up by the loon pulls in more color — the hue of the clear sky on that day.

But don’t think that’s all there is to see from Ethan. In fact, Flickr lists him as the third-top contributor to The Boundary Waters group pool. Take a look at his work and be inspired.

Thanks for the share, Ethan!

We came across this printed poster from Etsy shop, Smiles and Squiggles. A nice, unframed print on archival paper that you can give to another or keep for yourself. Multiple sizes and color options available.

Buy here.

A crewchief assisting with the firefighting effort, @MNseth began posting photos from his unique perspective on Twitter. They’ve been receiving much mention in our corner of the Twitterverse.

As all of us have been holding our breath for any and every update on the containment situation, images like this certainly aid in understanding all the more, what the firefighters are working with.

Much respect to @Mnseth and all those who’re working so hard to keep the Boundary Waters safe for residents and campers like us.

Flickr user thefullcup captured this timeless image while on a hike with his wife, son, and steel-nerved sister-in-law (who seems rather at ease, for sitting so precariously near the cliff.) Can’t blame her, though, with a view like this over Seagull.

Thanks for letting us share, thefullcup!

We’re sure that Dan Clevette does. What with their rapidly declining numbers, moose are trickier than ever to spot. And that does make us look a little longer at great photos like this, and appreciate them a little more, too.

More of Dan’s work can be found on his FB page and Etsy page. Great job, Dan!

Take a good, long look at this thoughtful image of a fallen birch. Flickr user Cody Stonerock captured this on a recent trip to the BW. We’re glad he stopped to take notice of those gorgeous little details.

As summer winds down, uploads like Cody’s have been spiking lately on Flickr groups like “The Boundary Waters”. You should check it out; hours of enjoyment are to be had.

Thanks for sharing, Cody!

That’s how Sue Ahrendt felt while beholding this marvelous sunset/moonrise last Monday. Ditto for us.

Sue shot this and a handful of others on her morning paddle of Round Lake, capturing a moment that brought tears even to the co-owner of Tuscarora Lodge and Outfitters. Thanks for sharing, Sue!

Via: Joskeif

We are drooling over these crisp, beautifully handmade, paper cut art pieces by a local, Minnesota artist. Yep, we like them locals.

Inspired by the summers of her youth, Marnie has created dramatic images of Lake Superior, Apostle Islands and the Great Lakes, to name a few. We’d sure be happy with a lake on our wall.

Buy here.

Who knows what kind of homework Aldo Cherini did to compile these? The mind reels. Aside from some familiar designs of the First Nations and Greenland, many were new to us. The one with the frog flipper-like blade (Ghana) is interesting, but why the shape? And we especially dig the wicked paddle-lance combo bearing the word “Asmatter”. Hey, didn’t we see the Sandpeople brandishing one of those in Star Wars?

Anyway, it’s an entertaining stroll through world cultures, and well worth your time.

Which paddles are new to you? Any faves?

Via Paddle Making.

But we suspect he’d still rather have been in Ontario’s Quetico Provincial Park, where Uttech considers his ‘spiritual home’ to be.

The wildlife, forests and lakes of the region are the focus of his paintings. But don’t think for a moment that any of them are ‘sitting subjects.’ Everything – clouds, boulders, withered jackpines – seems to be or resemble something very much alive or active. Moreover, animals often overcrowd the canvas in migrations of near-absurd proportions. In the midst of otherwise gorgeous classic boreal panoramas, the contrast of these massive exoduses seems to evoke unease. What is happening here? Is the wildlife simply going somewhere – or fleeing from something? All does not seem quite right.

Uttech’s concern for the environmental future of wild places is clear. Yet it manifests in ways that spoken and printed words cannot. And his art transcends the one-dimensional genre of pastoral landscape painting. From a recent interview:

“Paintings can be a way to show how wonderful things can be. Maybe it will make people interested in the environment and then grow to love it. That can lead to knowledge and then concern. This work is as useful as a direct criticism of polluters.”

“This work” needs to be seen a lot more in these parts. While Uttech has many followers in Milwaukee, we think the galleries of Minnesota’s Arrowhead region (and beyond) need to feature him a lot more.

Speaking of the paintings, not all of those pictured here, are necessarily from the exhibition. We took the liberty of showing you some additional ones… because they need to be seen.

“Boreal Conversations” continues through April 9th. Check out the deets here.

Whether it be a Fall or Winter (or even summer) visit, Gooseberry Falls has never been a disappointment. With a large trail system, river/waterfalls, and the lakeshore of Superior, there is a lot to take in.

Thanks to Josh. And for that matter, thanks to his bro too. You can find more of Josh’s landscape work on his portfolio site and on his Flickr deal.