Hay bales along Highway 196 south of Sac City, Iowa. (Click photo to enlarge. Twice to enlarge even more.)
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Author Archive
Hay You!
November 22, 2009Marion Gunderson, Her Watercolors, and the 1951 Des Moines Tribune
November 19, 2009(Click here to go to this blog’s home page.)
"A Busy Mother Heads Art Week," Des Moines Tribune Oct. 31, 1951. (Click twice on article to enlarge text.)
This newspaper article is on the back of the framed original of Ear of Iowa Corn, painted by Mother and owned by Bill Carmichael at West Lake Okoboji, Iowa.
Our family had no knowledge of this painting until July of 2007 when RAGBRAI went through Rolfe. A year later, Carmichaels were kind enough to let my oldest sister, Clara, take photos of their original corn watercolor, painted by Mother. You can imagine Clara’s surprise and glee (yes…I think glee!) when she discovered this article in a plastic protector on the back of the framed painting.
The article is from the October 31, 1951, Des Moines Tribune. Peggy was born just 30 days prior. I was born four years later. Meaning that at the time of this article, Mother had five children ages nine and younger. In Mother’s 1980 (or ’81) oral history she said, “Much of my painting was done after eight o’clock in the evening when the children were in bed because I just didn’t have time earlier.”
It is amazing that after days that I’m sure were frequently long with five children, Mother had the get-up-and-go to reserve time and energy for painting in the late evenings. And, to exhibit around the state of Iowa.
What a marvelous photo of Mother at the bottom of this article. And, I love the columnist’s use of the word “brilliant” (second column) to describe Mother’s watercolors. It’s so very true. See for yourself by taking a look at two watercolors she painted in 1951, the same year this article was published: Railway Station and Grain Elevator (Gilmore City, Iowa) and in Depot (Rolfe, Iowa).
If you didn’t already click twice on the article to read it, I hope you will.
Also, in case you didn’t catch last week’s (11-10-09) Des Moines Register article about Mother, you may click here to read it. (Update on December 13, 2009: The article is no longer posted on the Des Moines Register web site. If you email me to let me know you’d like I a digital copy of it, I’ll email it to you. mariongundersonart@gmail.com ) The article is an endearing story about Mother. It also explains how the profit from prints of her watercolors is funding the Rolfe, Iowa, oral history project she spearheaded in 1980-81.
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This article is posted with permission from the Des Moines Register.
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Mover, Shaker and AURA (and still available by appointment)
November 15, 2009(Click here to go to this blog’s home page. Info about specific prints is available in “View and Order Prints.”)
Whew!!! The open house was WONDERFUL. The amount of funds we took in was far beyond my even-most-hopeful expectation. Equally as fascinating were the stories people told, especially with their involvement (or involvement of their preceding relatives) with the Pocahontas grain elevator that was pictured in the Des Moines Register. (Update on December 13, 2009: The article is no longer posted on the Des Moines Register web site. If you email me to let me know you’d like I a digital copy of it, I’ll email it to you. mariongundersonart@gmail.com)
I received a note yesterday from a woman. She wrote, “It was a pleasure to read of your mother’s talents and deeds in yesterday’s Register. During the 11 years my family lived in Pocahontas I was a member of her P.E.O. chapter and I came to know and admire Marion as a ‘mover & shaker,’ important to Rolfe and to the area. I’m glad to see her aura lives on.”
Sometimes I wonder if I’m a little too robust perhaps for “going after” making prints of Mother’s work available. I quickly dismiss 99% of that notion when I remember that the purpose is for work (through the prints’ fund-raising) to be accomplished through the Rolfe Public Library. However, this week I dismissed 99.5% of that notion when people either called or drove from across the state and beyond to share stories about Mother and northwest Iowa and to order/purchase prints.
THEN (all caps again…can you tell I’m excited?!!!) the 99.5% became 100% when I received the kind note (mentioned above) yesterday concluding with, “I’m glad to see her aura lives on.”
More about the open house later. Let it suffice to say it was very successful. I thought about extending the open house for another weekend, but I think I’ll pass and just relish meeting with individuals/groups as they desire. Any time I’m around…any month…I’m VERY pleased to meet with people in our home by appointment, or if somewhat convenient, at other locations. (People call spontaneously to ask if they can stop by in a “little bit.” Others call to say they’ll be in the area on a certain date and wonder if I’ll be available. I enjoy both types of appointment requests.)
I’ve been asked if we are having an open house again next year. Hmmm…sounds fun! I’d say there’s more than a 50% chance.
(If you or people you know live at a distance and/or plastic is your/their preferred way of paying, purchases can be made at http://www.mariongundersonart.etsy.com The drawback is that sales tax is charged because the library cannot accept credit card orders. However, if you get your purchase in person from me, the shipping fee can be waived. Two-thirds of the images/prints are not on Etsy yet, but will be by Thanksgiving.) (11-24-09 update: I have not listed additional images yet on Etsy, and am not sure when I will. If you prefer to order via Etsy and what you’d like isn’t listed yet, please let me know and I’ll hop right to getting it listed.)
Thank you,
Louise Gunderson Shimon (Marion’s youngest daughter)
14106 Green Dr., Perry, IA 50220
515-465-2746 mariongundersonart@gmail.com
All Day Saturday, Nov. 14th, Holiday Open House (including directions)
November 5, 2009
"Angel in Wine and Blue" watercolor by Marion Gunderson, 1954. (Click photo to enlarge.)
It’s official! I am having a holiday open house for the purpose of promoting (and hopefully selling) prints of Mother’s artwork…as well as having fun getting together with friends and meeting people even if they don’t purchase. The open house will be in Bill’s and my home 2 and 1/2 miles (2.5 miles) west of Perry, Iowa, on Highway 141.
Saturday, Nov. 14th: 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM (The open house is advertised to have a break between noon and 2:00 because I will not be here for those two hours. However, feel free to stop during those two hours to browse and purchase, if you like. I just won’t be here during those two hours to chat and/or answer questions.)
I am happy to meet by appointment, as well.
To the right of this page there is a link that says, “November Open House.” It has some basic information about the open house.
Here are directions for getting to Bill’s and my home, 14106 Green Dr., Perry, Iowa.
If coming from the east, for example from Des Moines: Take Highway 141 from Des Moines to Perry until you get to the stop light that is at the Hy-Vee/McDonalds intersection. From that stop light, continue through the intersection (don’t turn at the intersection) and keep going west another 2 1/2 (2.5) miles until paved (not gravel) Green Drive is on your left. Turn south onto Green Drive. Green Drive curves back to the east. Our home is about 1/20th mile off of Highway 141. It is the first house in the development. (If you get to the airport on Highway 141, you’ve gone 1/4 mile too far west.)
If you are coming from the west on Highway 141, for example from Dawson: Once you are on Highway 141 with the Perry airport driveway on your right (on the south side of Highway 141), continue another 1/4 (.25) miles east. (Go somewhat slowly on Highway 141 between the Perry airport and our house because Green Drive pops up sooner than you’d think.) Turn south on paved (not gravel) Green Drive. Green Drive curves back to the east. Our home is about 1/20th mile off of Highway 141. It is the first house in the development.
This week on November 10th the Des Moines Register published a story about Mother’s watercolors. The story also explained how sales of prints will benefit the Rolfe Public Library…and the community of Rolfe, Iowa. (Update on December 13, 2009: The article is no longer posted on the Des Moines Register web site. If you email me to let me know you’d like I a digital copy of it, I’ll email it to you. mariongundersonart@gmail.com)
My mind is all a-buzz with excitement planning for and anticipating the open house. Therefore, my writing might have left out some important details. If so, feel free to contact me with any questions/comments you might have, or to arrange an appointment. mariongundersonart@gmail.com or (515) 465-2746
If you have even a smidgen of interest in the prints, please come and see them if you can. Online photos of them just do not do justice to Mother’s work.
By the way, since I last posted, I added the image of Bunny in “View and Order Prints.” Except for dealing with the open house, I probably won’t post about other topics until after the open house.
Thank you for your interest,
Louise Gunderson Shimon
It Isn’t Halloween Without The Hallo-Wiener!
October 30, 2009(Click here to go to this blog’s home page.)
Bill, Jackson, and The Hallo-Wiener (Click photo to enlarge.)
Not to forget a Halloween essential at our house, we just had to pull out The Hallo-Wiener. Although some of the adult (um…make that adolescent) humor goes right over a 3-year-old’s head, there’s still plenty of emotion and story in the illustrations and text to envelop a little tyke’s heart.
But, for the adolescent humor…here are examples of lines that crack me up every time.
*** When Oscar (the Hallo-Wiener) went off to obedience school, his mother stood in the front doorway waving and calling out to him, “Farewell, my little Vienna sausage!” With the other dogs watching. (Poor, poor Oscar.)
*** When Oscar was feeling bad he was “looking quite frank.”
*** And, my favorite…when Oscar got in trouble at school, he had to write on the blackboard 100-or-so times, “I will not sniff my neighbor. I will not sniff my neighbor. I will not sniff…..” (You probably need to “be there” reading this book to fully appreciate this last excerpt!)
When The Hallo-Wiener was first published, School Library Journal reviewed it proclaiming, “This may be the funniest Halloween story ever written, and it’s definitely got the most lovable hero.” My sentiments, exactly.
Enjoy. And, Happy Halloween (er).
“Church Yard” Watercolor — Deliciously Creepy!
October 18, 2009(Click here to go to this blog’s home page.)
September 22, 2010 update: Instead of including a space in the name of this painting Church Yard (two words), with help from the dictionary, it is now referred to as Churchyard (one word).
"Church Yard" displayed with Mr. Black's Secret by Cathrine Barr. (~20" W x ~14" H) Click photo to enlarge.
Last summer I spoke to a group about Mother’s (Marion Gunderson) watercolors. From Mother’s portfolio, I pulled out several that I ooohed and ahhhhed over. Then I pulled out this one of the cemetery. (Actually on the back of it Mother wrote, “Church Yard.” There is no indication of the exact location.) I told the group that I love how Mother created an eerie feeling with her technique, colors and subject matter. Then I said, “But, WHO would EVER want to display this painting in his or her home?!”
"Church Yard" (1954) as it was cropped and matted by Mother (Marion Gunderson). Click photo to enlarge.
That’s still how I felt until about two weeks ago when I was decorating for Halloween. Hmmm…the wheels in my brain were rolling. What could I use to decorate that doesn’t look cheesy, has colors that I love, looks good in my home, and creates a deliciously creepy yet fun ambience?
My brain clicked and sent me directly to Mother’s portfolio. The next morning I went to Wild Faces Gallery in Rolfe where Mona just happened to have this standard-sized 18″ x 24″ black frame and also the not-typical-orange mat (in the top photo) in stock. That same morning, Mona had the matted and framed Church Yard ready to go.
My next stop was about a twentieth-of-a-block from the gallery at Ropa’s Cafe in Rolfe. I was so excited about Church Yard that I took it inside Ropa’s to show to family. To my surprise and excitement, a non-family member in the cafe took a look at it and immediately said, “I WANT a print of THAT PAINTING.” Whoop-dee-doo! Since it is an initial investment to have prints made (due to being labor-intensive and requiring specialized skill, equipment and materials) hopefully I’ll get another pre-order or two to tip the scale to actually have prints made of Church Yard.
I cannot think of a more deliciously creepy piece of art. I love it, I love it, I love it. I’ll display it until the day after Thanksgiving when I’ll transition to Christmas decorating, including Mother’s Santa watercolor original.
By the way, Cathrine Barr dedicated Mr. Black’s Secret (the children’s book in the top photo) to Mother. How perfect that the cloth cover is almost the same orange as the mat. (Do you notice the little mouse bookmark sticking out the top of Mr. Black’s Secret?!)
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(Click here to go to this blog’s home page. Slowly but surely there will be more about Bill’s and my Oregon trip and also about Mr. Spaulding. I need to talk with Mr. Spaulding about additional topics before another transcript is developed.)
Cy’s Favorite Alum With His 11.5-foot-tall Cy Sculpture
October 12, 2009(Click here to go to this blog’s home page.)
Deane Gunderson, Cy (the statue made by Deane) and Jackson in Rolfe, Iowa, near the Bud Barn. The “rest-of-the-story” about Cy is below. (Click photo to enlarge.)
Today Jackson (my grandson) and I went to just outside of Rolfe, Iowa, where my 91-year-old father, Deane Gunderson lives. Dan and Rog Allen, loyal friends of my father, saw to it that my dad took Jackson and me for a drive in one of their tractors (John Deere, of course).
Jackson, my dad and I also went into Rolfe to see the Cy that my dad built in 1975. Cy now resides near Rog’s and Dan’s Bud Barn in Rolfe, where there is also their “World’s Largest Clydesdale Hobby Horse.” Lastly, the three of us visited the Rolfe Public Library with which Mother was so deeply involved for thirty-five years.
In the photo above, if you were looking down from an airplane, you’d see that the boulders design (created single-handedly by Dan) is in the shape of a cyclone. You’d also see that there are steps on the far side, behind Cy. Also, on the right side of the point boulder, nature has created its own red cyclone-shaped image. In case you didn’t already notice it, this natural image is more easily visible if you enlarge the above photo.
Immediately below is one story about Cy. This article was prepared for RAGBRAI’s 2007 ride through Rolfe. It is a sweetheart of a story. Clicking on the photo will provide “large print” sized text.
![Microsoft Word - D.C.G. RAGBRAI Cy doc for FedEx Kinkos[1].doc](https://mariongundersonart.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/d-c-and-cy-ragbrai-2007-write-up-w-white-all-around.jpg "Microsoft Word - D.C.G. RAGBRAI Cy doc for FedEx Kinkos[1].doc")
(Click photo to enlarge.)
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My dad passed away in 2010, approximately eight months after this post was published. His obituary is here.
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Oregon: Day #4 — The Natural Bridges (and a little of Day #5)
October 11, 2009(Click here to go to this blog’s home page. Previous posts about Oregon are in this blog’s “travel” archives.)
Click map to enlarge.
On the map at the left, the green marker line shows our day #4 route from Oregon’s Brookings to Gold Beach and then back to Brookings. We spent night #3 and night #4 (July 19th and 20th) in Brookings.
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Click photo to enlarge.
In the photo at the left I believe Bill and I are at the Pistol River State Park near the mouth of the Pistol River. It was quite foggy on our day #4 drive, making it difficult to have a clear view of many of the sights, but still very worth the drive. On day #5 (July 21st) we backtracked, once again driving north from Brookings on a much clearer day. more…
Packers, Vikings … and Beer Making
October 5, 2009(Click here to go to this blog’s home page.)
Jim, Bill and Scott divvying up the fruits of their labors. (Click to enlarge photo.)
Tonight while the Packers went up against the Vikings, Scott Finneseth, Jim Eaton and Bill were brew meisters once again. more…
Etsy? What? I’m doing what with Marion the Librarian’s watercolors?
October 3, 2009My intent was to have completed two more posts about Oregon by now. Then I got the flu last Tuesday through Thursday and worked yesterday (i.e., was a substitute fifth grade teacher).
What I’ve R-E-A-L-L-Y been spending time on last night and all of today is working to list/sell prints of Mother’s (Marion Gunderson) watercolors on Etsy. I’ll put the profits toward funding the giclee printing expenses of the Rolfe (Iowa) Public Library fundraiser. more…
Marion Gunderson Art (and the Farmer's Daughter) 
