Out in the Garden

Summer has finally arrived here in Minneapolis, and for that we are thankful!

The grass is growing non-stop between rain storms and after all the plants in the garden staying dormant an extra 3 weeks, with a little sun things are popping out. 

This week we started seeing all kinds of color, including 2 new iris purchased at the Iris Anderson Gardens last season up in Forest Lake. They turned out to be real show-stoppers!

The first was a double-bloom with multiple colors called, "Carnival Song" and the other a deep purple, large and ruffly-edged one called, "Tuxedo."

Art at Art-A-Whirl, Castle Remodeling NE MPLS

Helping Others

The Duraclear was created for an artshow in 2006 to commemorate the 1st year anniversary of the Katrina Hurricane that hit the Gulf Coast. I teamed up with non-profit CEO, Mary Gray of Minnesota Helpers acting as Creative Director to benefit artists in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. This Duraclear peice was used as a forefront transparent piece to re-create the devasting effects of Katrina and a reminder of  that which was loved and lost. Mayor Favre was equally impressed that we actually shipped Katrina debris here for this incredible visual journey. Together, we orchestrated a huge, successful event that brought in some $40,000 through Mary's efforts with ArtShare Minnesota. I had the opportunity to meet some of the artists and talk to others by phone. It was a great honor to represent them in this show.

Some of the Mississippi artists who were represented in the art show in 2006 include: 

Michelle Allee, Bay St. Louis, mixed media, oils; Kathy Gray, Gulfport, photographer, jewelry and debris artist; Lori Gorden, Bay St. Louis, oils and debris artist; Gwen Impson, print artist and president of Hancock County Arts; Ken and Mary Davidson, Bronze artists

Now, 2 years later, the need is still very great for these people. There are still many struggling to rebuild their lives. Both physically and emotionally. 

Take time to hear their story, look on the internet and see what's happening and find a way to help. 

Maybe you could help someone in your own community instead. We have many people who could benefit from those of us who are blessed with abundance - a home, a car, a family, and food on the table. Did you know over 3,200 children and young people are homeless on any given night in MINNESOTA? About 500-600 are unaccompanied youth under 18. (source Lutheran Social Service website)

This year - the Duraclear was exhibited at Castle Remodeling in NE Minneapolis. Loren Shirber, owner of Castle Remodeling was kind enough to coordinate and exhibit the work of over 12 artists, including myself. It was a wonderful experience and I look forward to doing it again next year! If you haven't been to NorthEast Mpls, you are missing out on a real treat. It's the place to see art and be seen. Try the Northrup King building on 1st Thursdays to sample some of what the area has to offer.

Art-A-Whirl Collage

Blue Herons Nesting on Mississippi River in Minnesota

On Sunday afternoon, we packed the snacks and headed over to the Camden Bridge and parked in our normal spot in the North Metro Mississippi Regional Park Parking area... then headed north of the bridge to check out what all the nests where in the island just past the bridge. I had been driving over it during the last week going to meetings and noticed all the nests! Well, I guess that the blue herons come here every year to nest and if you go around 8-9am or at dusk you will be able to see 100's of these delicate birds from the banks of the Mississippi.

As a photographer, I was wishing that I had a longer lens to capture the wildlife a little bit closer to the tree-tops. As it was, I was able to get in and capture a bit of the action. We sat, laid and watched through the binoculars as these birds fine-tuned their nests and settled into them.

It was a great way to spend a sunny afternoon!

Meditation and thought for the week

I created this from a couple of my photographs taken last August (2007) out on a sunny day in my late summer garden. I played with type, style of a zinnia and cloud patterns to create a somewhat abstract, colorful, contemporary collage aimed more at women and their general need to find time to nurture themselves. It's kind of like laying on your back in the field or in a park with open grass, staring at the clouds -- dreaming of fields of flowers and all good things in life.

Take a moment to enjoy the beauty of nature around you.

Spring has Sprung

This afternoon, I took a brief break between burning CD's for a job just outside my front door and took a few shots of the newly opened Star of Bethlehem (white flowers in a cluster) and the different varieties of Crocus. Always one of the first signs of Spring!

Spring is on the horizon

Columbia Heights Golf Course

Photography Show Extended at Orion Wellness Center

I was asked to create this postcard by Orion Wellness Center to promote my work for sale at their location in Rogers, MN.  They will be having another open house toshowcase my photography (which is for sale) and their services again on April 17, 2008.

Flashback to hot summer days

Taylors Falls summer '07

People Pictures

It's A BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!

Girls, Girls, Girls......

Old Fashioned Fun

This evening's activities included a party of seven year old girls and a sleep-over beach party. I took Anna over to Zada's for the big party. The girls put their suits on even though it was sleeting and blowing outside. They put their beach towels and put them on the beds and pretended they were at the beach and had lots of fun jumping around for a while.

Earlier today, on a work-related topic.... I was also shooting pictures!

A Professional Portrait

Today at an undisclosed location, I attempted to shoot some portraits of a friend and colleague of mine she wanted to use for her new business materials. I took out the camera and got one shot of her before we were told "no photos allowed," so we ended up packing up - but the one shot did turn out to be good. This is a shot that will be used in her website and possibly other marketing materials.

Visit to the Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley MN

Recent photos around town

St. Anthony Parkway Abstract

©2008 lisa m. marek / fat cat art studio

Street Musicians

North Metro Mississippi Regional Park

Portrait of the Artist

Kitty Cat Club, Dinkytown USA - MPLS, MN

Dinkytown, Minneapolis, MN

March 26, 2008

Train on bridge over North Minneapolis

Camden Bridge Abstracts - Minneapolis

An abstract of the Camden Bridge in Mpls - based on a photo taken this afternoon.

A graphic, somewhat retro look - maybe make an interesting postcard or poster.

Having a little fun in photoshop with an abstract of water droplets that are starting to form inverted icicles on the ground as it drips off of the bridge overhead.

Water running off the downspout from the bridge. I thought this was a neat effect.

©2008   •   lisa m. marek

Minnesota Welcomes Spring!

Spring Flowers   •   lisa m. marek ©2008 

The first day of spring came and so has the snow. It has been falling all day!

Fat Cat Art Studio Photography Show at Luna Blu Coffee in Rogers, MN