Howard Young Art Gallery in Minocqua announces the opening of a new show “Different Strokes – Shared Inspiration” It features the works of Andy Fenner of Swallow Haven Studio, Irma; Lisa Krueger of Oak View Studio, Tomahawk; and Louise Schotz, of Outback Studio, Irma. It is a show combining the interests and talents of three friends who are together as members of both the Lakeland Art League and Northwoods Art Tour. While they each use their own touch (stroke) in their work, they support each other through shared ideas, making each artist stronger.
Andy Fenner has been an “UpNorther” since retiring here in 2000. She tells people that she lives in Paradise, even when they don‘t ask. Perched atop a ledge overlooking a native trout stream, Andy’s Swallow Haven Studio abounds with the beauty of the northwoods, featuring landscapes and animal pastels inside and breathtaking scenery outside. The artist takes pride in offering viewers a chance to take a part of what they love home with them when they leave the northwoods.
Her media is pastel on suede matboard canvas. This offers a remarkable amount of freedom, as the significant nap allows for ease of application. The results are paintings that are realistic, yet soft and precise at the same time.
Her work is in galleries throughout Wisconsin and she has taught numerous classes, sharing her painting technique with many students.
Living in the peaceful backwoods of Oak View Studio has inspired images that appear on Lisa Krueger’s canvas in many forms, from vibrant colors to soft and subtle hues. Lisa’s talent is to translate this beauty into paintings that capture these places and moments. Lisa creates original pieces of art using watercolor, ink, pastel, acrylic, alcohol ink and mixed media. This variety of mediums enables her to express a specific feeling or moment on her canvas to share with others.
She has always loved the creative aspects of art and feels this passion is a gift from God, which is enjoyed on a daily basis as her surroundings are treasured through the eyes of an artist; revealing shapes, shadows and color in exciting and creative ways.
Lisa has artwork in various galleries in the north woods and she participates in area art shows. Over the years she has taken classes from many talented artists and has used this information to develop a style of her own. Lisa enjoys sharing the knowledge that she has gained as she teaches classes in a variety of mediums for children and adults.
Louise Shotz produces unique creations in many different medias. Driven by a passion to discover and try new techniques, influenced by a background in science, world travel and boundless curiosity, pieces produced show a new look and integration of techniques. For her, the work is all about the journey. She doesn’t want to know what the final product will look like till she is almost there.
She creates one of a kind art quilts that have been exhibited as a variety of venues around the country and have won numerous awards. Creating new quilts has led to excursions into various dying techniques, developing purses and other objects with that fabric.
Her jewelry making endeavor is a treat to behold. Louise loves to start her pieces with sheet metal, copper being her favorite. She uses a torch, vice, grinder, multiple hammers and other tools to create original pieces of jewelry.
For many years she taught classes in her studio, but now teaches only by request for a specific class.
“Different Strokes – Shared Inspiration” opened Friday, Oct. 14 and ends
Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. The public is invited to a reception on Friday, Oct. 21, from 4:30-6 p.m., when artists will talk about different strokes and shared inspiration. Light refreshments will be served.