A Lot Going On...

https://morrisons-studio.com

 

Boy has a lot happened since my last Blog entry - shame on me!!! I just plain lost all sense of time...might be my age but its probably everything happening here and in our world outside the studio. 

In December some business issues started getting untenable...my web site provider had been a nightmare for the past 3 years and I finally decided that enough was enough...apparently being a loyal customer for well over 20 years doesn't mean anything these days? 

 I decided to go with a web provider that has been "artist based" since their inception. I wish they'd been around when I first started my first website back in the late 90's, but they weren't around yet. But I'm back up and running...its been some work rebuilding. And its been some time to get back to where I should have been a long time ago. 

One feature with this web platform I like is their "Newsletter" feature. I had all but given up on my old newsletter (not to be confused with this long standing blog). My old newsletter was created from scratch each time I published it - html coding and all...creating lots of testing and hammering out glitches. Finally the software I had used for 25 years, was no longer compatible with my computer platform...just had aged out. Should I commit to new html software or just stop publishing the newsletter? I did try mail chimp type programs but was never happy with them, but now I think its in a good place again. 

 I won't bore everyone with newsletter stories I've already published...some of you may already be newsletter subscribers of mine (?). If you're not, you certainly can subscribe for free and keep up that way, or at least catch up by checking the newsletter archives at - https://www.morrisons-studio.com/newsletter-archive At this time there are 4 newsletters to catch up on and the last two is a "two-part" story - something I have been revisiting here at the studio for the first time in 45 years! 

 If you would like to start receiving the new Studio Newsletter, you can do so by visiting - this page - https://www.morrisons-studio.com/email-newsletter 

In the meantime I'll still be keeping the Blog, and it will be similar to the newsletter but hopefully more of the same spin it has since it began over 20 years ago. The "Prairie Painter" Blog will also continue and be much the same as ever as well. Yes! I have two blogs and they have both been running for over 20 years...actually the "A Tallgrass Journal" has been running a few years longer. 

"Prairie Painter" has a bit more "art" slant than "Prairie", although they often merge much the same, and is available through the following link - https://prairiepainter.blogspot.com/ 

 In closing, be sure and check out the new web site and look for more news and tid bits down the road! (https://morrisons-studio.com) 

I so appreciate having you follow along through the years, and if you're new to the blog, I hope you enjoy visiting from time to time! 

Please be good and look out for one another in these uncertain times. We are made from the same cloth and we are all in this together. 

God Bless. Hope to see you on the Tallgrass!

Earth Day 2020...Make Your "Earth Vision" 2020 As Well!

Photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

Its Earth Day today - the 50th year that folks have been trying to remind others of the importance of the well being of our planet home.  Its a tricky year and time to remind anyone that they need to take care of the nest we're all inhabiting. 

The current opening of public lands for mining or drilling, proposed withdrawals of environmental protections such as the National Environmental Policy Act, stifling the input of biologists and experts in the sciences, allowing a step "back" of water and air quality rules...even regulations pertaining to mercury; its a dark time indeed.

But there are still people and non-profits working right now to keep the short term profit industries and interests from defiling our home - but they need your support!  If you cannot afford to join the many good organizations out there working to keep our natural heritage safe for our grand children - speak out!  Look into the records of your elected officials - their records supporting a safe and healthy environment, and vote accordingly; and let them know you will do so!

While so many are spending their time trying to find interesting things to keep them occupied...isn't it a good time to hold people accountable for not keeping your best interests in mind?  Isn't it a good time to take the kids outside and even just explore their yard...to listen to the birds, catch some insects...see that there is something tangibly wonderful about creation!

Take in Spring; breathe in the gift of the natural world that still exists around you...even the small pockets are wonderful.  Be engaged in your world or it will be lost to the short term greed of a very small few.  This Earth is your home and the Earth needs a good steward - treat it like family, after all you were born from it and are kin to it.  Think of it as "that" each day and you will find your love for the natural world around you becomes more important throughout the year.

Stay safe and be good to one another...the Earth too!

"Waterman Sunrise"

photograph © Bruce A. Morrison

Its fall already (!) and its been just glorious here.  Although I hate time slipping by so quickly, I'm a sucker for autumn!  I've been doing more work than prairie upkeep this year...with so much to do here in the studio, my prairie experience has been mostly relegated to exploring, photographing and painting (or drawing).  

I love the exploring part!  This year I've been very blessed to get access to some very nice places to walk and photograph.  They've all been in the "neighborhood" here...but this neighborhood is intoxicating and I'm hooked bad.

We live along the Waterman Creek in the valley here...this creek is part of the Little Sioux River shed and this river shed has been identified as one of the last large tallgrass remnant areas in this state (Iowa).

"Cattle Crossing"

color pencil drawing © Bruce A. Morrison

Top that off with the richness of cultural heritage here and its just hard to not get drawn in and absorbed.  I can only lament that I wish I'd been here and exposed decades ago!  I'm certainly not getting any younger but I haven't felt this way since I was a kid and discovered the river and creeks near my home for the first time.

I think being an artist of regional bent...a representational painter, a landscape photographer, a prairie fanatic, is all my vision desires and that is where I'm at now.  I'm home.

"Summer Evening on Waterman"

oil on mounted canvas - 9X12"

© Bruce A. Morrison

But this "home boy" needs to earn a living so here comes my shameless plug!  You can see the prairie up close and personal here in my studio/gallery at the Prairie Hill Farm Studio during the 2011 Artisans Road Trip coming up this Friday (September 30) from 4-8:00 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday (October 1 and 2) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day!

Come see the prairie on canvas, in the frame, on the easel or here in the valley (or all of the above)!  Enjoy some conversation, drink some fresh (from here at the acreage) raspberry lemonade and eat decadent treats!  We'd love to see ya!

Have a wonderful fall - hope to see you on the Tallgrass!!!