News from the Studio September 2009
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Spirit River Studio
Landscape and Still Life Paintings
with a focus on Minnesota Waters
News from the Art Studio of MaryAnn Cleary
Shooting for the Stars
Oil painting on linen canvas
14 x 11 inch
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Thank you for spreading the word about my art work.
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| Fun in Grand Marais, MN |
Enjoying the North Shore of Lake Superior
by MaryAnn Cleary |
"Lighthouse with the Late Afternoon Sun"
Oil painting on linen
Size: 8 x 10 inch
Painted on site.
The north shore of Lake Superior is filled with hidden treasures. As I drove along the shore making my way to Grand Marais, my first stop was at a small local treasure. It is a small store near the end of the scenic route along the lake where one can find smoked fish and fresh made cheese. Usually I pick up a pound or two of smoked fish to bring along for a great dinner snack with creamed cheese and crackers and a bit of wine. Delightful. Check out Kendalls Smoked Fish if you are in the area.
One of my friends from the Grand Marais area also gave me the privilege of showing me a sweet area that is a small hike and has delightful scenes and waterfalls. A few short miles along a dirt road just off of the Temperance pull-off parking area and then a short hike equals a beautiful scene to paint. This area along the North shore continues to surprise me with the hidden treasures among the valleys of the mountains. I truly love this area for its out of sight beauty. There are so many hidden waterfalls and beautiful areas one needs to search to find in these old rounded and massive mountains.
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Grand Marais Plein Air Painting
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The Art Colony Seventh Annual Plein Air Competition
by MaryAnn Cleary |
"Rocks on the Shore of Lake Superior"
oil painting on canvas
8 x 10 inches
"Grand Marais LightHouse"
oil painting on canvas
11 x 14 inches
One thing that I continue to learn as I live in Minnesota is the importance of those swamp water or wetlands. Did you know that those area provide an integral part in cleaning water? Did you know that if things get out of balance the vegetation changes? I just found this info out. I had no idea that the wetland areas were so important to the ecosystem. Watching the PBS channel recently, I also found out that the MidWest corridor where the Canadian Geese migrate has been severely compromised. There is such a shortage of these wetlands for these birds to hang out so to speak that there is limited space for them. Consequently, disease spreads rampantly and birds die. The government really has had a play with this unknowingly. Monetary gains have been given to farmers to cultivate those water plagued wetlands resulting in fewer places for birds to migrate. Who realized how those wet areas came into play with purifying water and also playing a part for migratory birds. I had no idea.
I always viewed swamp lands just as that. However, they do play an integral part in water purity and a place for water foul to regenerize and migrate to the southern lands. Amazing. I will never look at a swamp area the same!
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A Recipe from a Great Restaurant
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| The Angry Trout Cafe |
One of the best places to have lunch or dinner when a person is in the Grand Marais area is at the Angry Trout Cafe in Grand Marais. It is opened a few months out of the year during the busy season. The cafe has wonderful food all organic, open range and/or fresh from the waters of Lake Superior. And served absolutely decandently...if that is a word!!!
While I was there I had one of their salad lunches with the Maple Mustard dressing. The salad arrives with a huge container of the dressing on the side so one can put as much or little dressing on their salad as desired. My salad also included a piece of fresh trout as well as fresh wild blueberries, small grape tomatoes, colored carrots, a variety of greens, cheese, cucumbers and croutons. The portion was quite large and quite yummy.
Here is a link to their wonderful cafe along with information on their cookbook/notebook that is "full of information" cookbook about the culture and history of Grand Marais.
The Angry Trout Cafe in Grand Marais, MN
Maple Mustard Salad Dressing
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
Makes 1 1/2 cups.
"Seasons End"
Oil painting on linen canvas, 11x14 inch
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A Bit of News
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| Ebay auctions for my studies and small works. |
After a busy two weeks, this month I am returning to the ebay auction site where I will auction off my small studies. Normally, these small studies sell for $45 to $75 so check out the auction for a possible bargain. The studies arrive unframed. The studies range in size from a 4x4 inch to 5x7, 6x6, 6x8 inch. Most of the sizes can be framed easily with a standard frame purchased at your local craft shop. The only exception is the 4x4 and it is a gallery-wrapped canvas with the sides painted and part of the painting.
All of the studies start at an auction price of $9.99 and this includes FREE shipping!
To find my ebay auction painting studies, search "MACleary Art" on ebay. My seller ID is "spiritrivermary".
Here is one of the latest paintings.
Ball Canning Jar
oil on gessoed masonite, 6x6 inch
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MaryAnn Cleary
Spirit River Studio
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Your information will never be shared.
Thanks for all of your support. Next month look for info on fall gardening (breaking up and transplanting all those perenials, another recipe and more of my latest paintings plus more).
Many Blessings~.
MaryAnn
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via maryanncleary.com