Jon Hassler paintings

Remembering Jon Hassler: A Multi-Talented Artist and Novelist

It's been 18 months since Jon Hassler passed away. While Jon was well known for his literary prowess, many people are not aware that he was an artist before he became a novelist. He spent his school years teaching English at high schools and colleges, and during the summers, he was a regular on the art fair circuit. He began writing relatively late in life—his first novel, Staggerford, was published when he was 44—but he always enjoyed painting whenever he had the chance.

Much like his books, Jon's paintings exhibit recurring themes: rural landscapes, long light, complex skies, and almost always a strong vanishing point element. In fact, they are almost exactly what you would expect if you've read any of his novels or short stories.

We came to know Jon five years before he succumbed to complications from progressive supranuclear palsy. Jon and his wife, Gretchen, entrusted us with 22 of his original paintings (pictured above left, 'Snowfall', 20"x16", oil on canvas; pictured above right, 'Road to Johnson's Farm I', 16"x12", oil on canvas), all of which were painted in the late 1980s. These remarkable originals are now available for sale, with a portion of each sale being donated to CurePSP (www.psp.org).

The tale of the table under the tent

The Picnic Table: Social Networking 1.0

Think of the picnic table under the canopy tent in the parking lot as Social Networking 1.0. It is the most fundamental device for creating community networks.

World problems have been solved, and judgment passed on every local politician at this very table.

Just last month, under this tent, Leah Nesbitt was declared the 2009 Downtown Red Wing Macaroni and Cheese Smackdown Champion (she used all Wisconsin natural ingredients).

At night, the little Japanese lanterns are lit up, and the table becomes more of a 'night spot' where topics are dissected, examined, and reassembled, often over fermented nectar and usually in hushed voices. In the mornings, it is a destination for coffee and a newspaper.

Warren Buffet would appreciate how effective this $70 picnic table is as a marketing tool.

Panorama-rama

The Beauty of Panorama Photography

This time of year creates beautiful opportunities for panorama photography. The light is becoming longer, and the trees are just beginning to turn color. The Mississippi River, in particular, is a good panorama subject in this area because there are plenty of river bluffs to capture the wide expanse of the river.

The photo above was captured at Buena Vista Park above Alma, Wisconsin. It is a spectacular overlook. The weather was borderline inclement, which creates wonderful atmospheres for the camera lens.

This is a 4:1 print. Large format printing is ideal for a very narrow print like this. To really appreciate a print like this, it requires some height to the image, which means it will grow very wide, very fast. A 12" high print becomes a 48" wide print. Add some mat (typically 3" all around) and some moulding, and the overall image is nearly 5 feet wide. This is a 'high drama' image that demands attention as soon as you walk into the room.

Flyway Film Festival sponsorship

Exciting News: Red Carpet Sponsorship of Flyway Film Festival

We are super excited to announce that Red Wing Framing & Fine Art Printing will be a 'Red Carpet Sponsor' of the 2nd annual Flyway Film Festival in Pepin, Wisconsin, taking place from October 22 to 25, 2009. The primary venue will be the Lake Pepin Art & Design Center. In addition to supporting the entire event, we will be the presenting sponsor for the opening night events on Friday, October 23rd at 7 pm.

This is a significant investment for our modest operation, but it makes sense for several reasons:

1. We admire what this group is trying to accomplish and their ambitious approach.

2. We love films, which should be evident from our past entries about the Chief Theater in Red Wing.

3. We believe it's essential to contribute to the community, and we appreciate art venues that strive to be all-inclusive.

We'll share more details as the festival date approaches.

Mac and cheese smackdown

1st Annual Downtown Red Wing Mac and Cheese Smackdown

Tomorrow (August 12), the 1st annual Downtown Red Wing Mac and Cheese Smackdown takes place. We are delighted to host and look forward to a most delicious event. Every small business in Downtown Red Wing is invited to participate.

You might be asking yourself, "What does a mac and cheese smackdown have to do with small businesses?"

The answer is both nothing and everything.

Nothing, because it has nothing to do with business, per se. And everything, because every small business feels the economic challenge these days, and providing a small amount of escapism has real value.

There is always room and time to have fun. And nothing says fun like a mac and cheese smackdown.

Certified Picture Framer (CPF)

Understanding the Certified Picture Framer (CPF) Designation

A Certified Picture Framer (CPF) is a prestigious designation administered by the Professional Picture Framing Association (PPFA). The PPFA conducts the five-hour CPF exam twice a year, testing in the following areas:

1. Art and framing preservation

2. Framing knowledge

3. Mechanics of framing

4. Mathematics of framing

5. Art and image mounting

To ensure that CPF-certified framers remain current in the professional framing field, they must retake the exam and recertify every five years.

This is an arduous and rigorous process, which is why very few framers pursue CPF certification. Red Wing Framing Gallery is proud to be one of only five active CPFs in Minnesota.

We take great pride in our professionalism and our commitment to the highest industry standards. This dedication should be important to any client who values their art.

Pulp cover art

Pulp Cover Art: A Unique Place in Art History

Pulp cover art has a unique place in art history. It has tremendous nostalgic appeal for anyone who enjoyed The Hardy Boys, comic books, or even a peek at The Old Man's collection of True Detective or Stag magazines. Its primary purposes were to grab your attention on the newsstand amid a crowded field of competitors and to evoke emotions, usually with a provocative image of impending peril or suggestive sensuality. Common elements typically include a couple of 'toughs,' a large-breasted woman, and a 'citizen' or a 'hero.' The example above (original on the left, Rudolph Zirn, 1939) has all three.

We are excited and delighted to announce a gallery exhibit of original pulp cover art. The show will open in October (date TBD) and will include both the original art and the subsequent ephemera the originals were used to produce. The colors are extremely vivid, and the techniques used by the artists to evoke a response are fascinating.

This is the third year in a row that we have had the pleasure of working with Grapefruit Moon Gallery in presenting their collection of illustration art. In 2007, we presented original pin-up art and in 2008, we showcased original Cream of Wheat advertising art. Pulp magazine art is yet another sub-genre of illustration art that we are proud to present.

The 'pulps' were fiction magazines that were very popular from about 1930 to 1960. The term 'pulp' comes from the cheap paper typically used in production (cheap paper has a lot of wood pulp). The magazines became noteworthy for their provocative covers. The covers became so important that in many cases, the covers were designed first and the text was designed around the covers. Pulp magazines were also major employers of short story authors, and the subsequent demise of the pulp industry created a vacuum for these authors that has never been filled.

Oil or gouache paintings were used to create the original cover art. The colors are intentionally vivid to compensate for the primitive printing technology at the time. Several pulp cover artists (e.g., Frank Paul and Margaret Brundage) became accomplished artists in this genre and attracted a following. Pulp art has recently experienced a renaissance in popularity and is widely sought by collectors.

More details will be shared as they evolve, but I thought this teaser would have value.