A Variety of Local Artistic Talent

 As mentioned in my previous post, which can be perused at PAINTING COLOR WITHIN: FY 2023 Creative Support for Individuals (kayleenhorsma.blogspot.com), I will be sharing the slides that showcased the talented work of local artists, as well as some of my own.  

                                              * Click on chosen photo to expand *

 Raymond is from the Park Rapids area and

his beautiful work can be viewed at 

 Raymond Wattenhofer Original Paintings, Drawings & Art Prints

A few samples of digital work by a talented daughter, Kirsten Horsma.

Rachael is the eldest of my children though no longer lives in our area. 

I included her beautiful work in the presentation to share the diversity of artistic career options.

Rachael Anderson (myportfolio.com)

Phil, one of my brothers, is not only a talented musician and blacksmith,  

he also creates beautiful monuments at Heartland Monuments and is the owner. 

 His Damascus knife was featured in this 2024 showcased circular edition.

A diverse and talented artist is also our local high school art teacher. 

Our students are so fortunate.  T Besonen Art

Nora is originally from neighboring Sebeka and creates beautiful works. 

Her young extended family members were surprised and gladly 'owned' her as an aunt.   

Nora Bergman Gallery of Original Fine Art (dailypaintworks.com)

Dawn is our retired local art teacher with variety of talents honed. 

Her beautiful work can be viewed at Studio 176 in Park Rapids or 

viewed online Park Rapids, MN Art Gallery Studio 176

Kettle River Ironworks is a local family operated business and offers 

a line of beautiful metal art that is affordable and attractive. 

Kettle River Ironworks

This is a recent piece of mine that is located at The Cotty in Menahga. 

and can be viewed in person during business hours. 

I plan to do a bit of translation related to this piece sometime in the future. 

The following are various photos from a few past related experience. 

FY 2023 Creative Support for Individuals

I was fortunate to be among the many artists chosen as a recipient of a 2023 Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This grant is intended to help artists stay connected to their communities as artists or culture bearers.

My project goal was to foster creativity among Minnesota youth by sharing my artwork at local schools and facilitating the creation of original art. I aimed to present creativity as a tool for mental health and to enhance students' success.

During my slideshow presentation, I showcased the work of several talented local artists and their diverse art forms, highlighting the many ways creativity can contribute to wellness. Each student received a magnetic canvas and access to
artistic supplies to personalize their own artwork.

While I didn't get to see their finished pieces, I was happy to hear from a few parents about the curiosity and developing talents of young artists in their homes. 

I would also like to acknowledge my appreciation of the Five Wings Arts Council for additional support and also the Community First Bank of Menahga and Sebeka who donated for gel pen kits left with classrooms. 

*Due to limitations regarding the number of inserted photos I will share additional slides in another post. 

Fostering Creativity: Sharing Art Activities with Kids

Among the many wonderful memories of my childhood was attending the annual midsummer celebration in July. The weekend-long event featured carnival rides, fair food, and 'win a prize' booths filling several blocks. The parade was a highlight, with entries honoring our military, law enforcement, and firefighters. Floats came from neighboring communities with sparkling floats completed with waving princesses.  The Shriners whizzed by in formation on go-carts, while colorful floats decorated with streamers added to the spectacle. Multiple groups of bands and musicians, funny clowns passing candy, and interesting vehicles paraded through the streets, followed by a large herd of horses with their riders near the end. One of my favorite entries was a light blue El Camino with a porcelain tub in the back, where someone would take a bath while splashing the crowd. After the parade, a few talented locals would bring out their instruments, and the street would fill with country dancers. The event always concluded with a spectacular fireworks show over the lake, providing a perfect end to the celebration.

Unfortunately, our small but growing town no longer hosts carnival rides. Instead, the activities have been replaced with other forms of entertainment, such as derbies, sack races, and craft fairs, to name a few.

For me, it's an opportunity to share and hopefully inspire continued creativity. This past weekend marked the second year of kids creating their own colorful magnetic canvas buttons, a fun activity enjoyed by many. This year the activity was held at Menahga Floors & More, which showcases a wide variety of home renovation selections as well as a local vendors market. 

Full Circle: Unbuttoned

 For those who took the time to read my last post, I hope it helps clarify the direction I've been heading. If you haven't read it yet and would like to, you can find it at PAINTING COLOR WITHIN: Healing and Reflection: Embracing Change (kayleenhorsma.blogspot.com). 

When faced with uncertainty and the possibility of a shortened lifespan, I assume it is natural to look back on your youth reflecting on where you've been while revisiting the dreams you once held. 

We were avid comic book readers at home, and I found the advertisements especially enticing—sea horses, button-making machines, and more. One ad that caught my eye was for drawing Tippy the Turtle. I didn't win the grand prize, but they did send me a finger puppet. Now, I finally have my button-making machine, and I'm still working on getting that sea horse.

I assume it must be my artist's brain that loves figuring things out, and after countless hours of work, I finally have. While it may not make me a fortune, it's a tool I can use to share my love of creating and hopefully, inspire others.

Healing and Reflection: Embracing Change

I wanted to take a moment to briefly blog about the past few years, both for personal recollection and for those who may be interested.

During this time, I've been on a journey of recovery from a significant health scare. While I won't delve into the details extensively, I was diagnosed with a rare condition-one that affects only about 3 in a million people. Initially, the prognosis was daunting, suggesting a mere 5-year life expectancy with limited treatment options. In my pursuit of healing, I explored various homeopathic measures and sought medical consultation at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. After extensive testing and examinations, it was determined that I had been misdiagnosed. Despite this relief, the experience has left an indelible mark on me, shaping my perspective in profound ways.

It would be remiss of me to attribute my desire for change solely to this health condition. Alongside navigating my health journey, several other factors have spurred me towards seeking change. The rapid pace of today's political landscape, the joys and responsibilities of becoming a grandmother, and the profound losses of loved ones have all played significant roles in shaping my outlook on life. Each of these experiences has contributed to my evolving perspective and motivation to embrace transformation.

These experiences have prompted me to reflect on my youth and to embrace the responsibility of making a difference, even if the impact is only for one. As I faced the reality of limited time, my perspective shifted from focusing my own needs to considering how I can contribute to shaping a better future for those who are yet to come.

I am thankful for the experiences that have allowed me to reflect on life and an opportunity to recreate direction of my current and future work.

Taking a Break: Embracing Life's Journey as an Artist

  It’s been a while since I last shared my artistic journey with the web world. Life has a way of keeping us on our toes, doesn’t it? As much as I love connecting with people through my art, I’ve found myself needing a pause of privacy. I am happy to report that creativity never stops, even when the posts do!

One of the joys of being an artist is how life itself becomes a wellspring of ideas. Whether it’s the colors of a sunset, the quiet moments of introspection, or personal experiences of life, we can be assured these all can shape artwork in profound ways.

During this break, the world has seemingly become a new place. Experimenting with different mediums has allowed me to push boundaries and discover new facets of my artistic voice. It’s reminded me of the importance of embracing change and growth, both in art and in life.

So, here’s to taking breaks – not as a pause in creativity, but as a moment to recharge, reflect, and rediscover the joy of creating. I look forward to sharing more of my journey with you, filled with new artworks, stories, and inspirations that I hope will resonate with each of you.

Thank you for being a part of this artistic adventure with me. 

PS- my previous blog, which I have been vacant from can be found at PAINTING COLOR WITHIN (khorsma.blogspot.com)