Artist's Statement 2011

Arboretum Views

Denise Presnell-Weidner

The inspiration for this exhibition comes from a day trip spent photographing in the Madison Arboretum about a year and a half ago. I had heard about the arboretum from other artists as well as patrons over the past several years and finally made a point of getting out there to see if the imagery was something I would want to make into artwork. Most of the imagery I use for paintings, pastels and prints comes from the area near my home in Sheboygan, found while out walking or biking around the countryside. I tend to avoid intentionally planted
vegetation, so I was a bit skeptical about finding something to interest me in a controlled environment. I was pleasantly surprised to find most of the arboretum appears ‘natural’ rather than man-planted.

I was particularly drawn to the natural prairie areas as well as the ‘marshy’ areas. I have always been a fan of pathways and there are miles of paths through these areas. I chose a late autumn day, assuming the color would have great variety and I was not disappointed. Especially intriguing were some tall, dark, dried out forms along the roads. I have no clue what these plants were, but they stand out against all the pale beige fields that surround
them. The contrast in color and form shout out for attention. There were also many familiar plants and forms to balance the strange with the familiar.

Back in my studio, I sorted through the hundreds of digitals, to further weed out the least interesting photos. Even though I work from photographs, I have never been one to directly ‘copy’ the image. I crop, manipulate, alter contrast, hue and then apply Photoshop filters to further break the image from the original. I always allow for change throughout the process –– letting my instincts kick in and carry the image through to completion. The final piece, as a result, can look quite different from the original inspiration.

During the process of digesting the images of the Arboretum, I was also spending a great deal of time in the studio returning to the art of printmaking. I originally studied printmaking, before turning to painting for over 20 years. I found out about the new printmaking form from Barry Carlson while attending the reception for the “30th Anniversary of the Grace Chosy Gallery” exhibition. I was quickly hooked by the ease of use and the resulting printing imagery. I found the application of Photoshop manipulated imagery to this new medium were an inspiring match. Being forced to edit down the number of colors I use in order to produce a print with color economy influenced my thought process as it applied to all art mediums I use. I also became more aware of shapes, over texture. Because of this influence, my paintings have a more geometric look to them than in the past.

It is exciting for an artist to explore change in their work –– it makes the work and the process feel more alive. The past year of producing artwork has seemed more fun than the several preceding. I have folders full of additional images of the Arboretum, as well as others, ready to apply to new prints and paintings.

Resume

Education

M.F.A. - Painting and Drawing Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA;
1985 B.F.A. - Printmaking, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 1981

Gallery Representation

Mary Bell Galleries, Chicago, IL
Nina Blease Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI
Katie Gingrass Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
Two Fish Gallery, Elkhart Lake, WI

Teaching Experience

1989– Present
Associate Professor of Art; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
1988 - 1989
Assistant Professor of Art; Louisiana State University- Shreveport
1986 - 1988
Instructor of Art; Benedictine College; Atchison, KS
1985 - 1986
Artist-in-Residence; Keystone Junior College, La Plume, PA
1983 - 1985
Graduate Teaching Assistantship; Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
International Recognition & Opportunities
2003
“Sheboygan River Reflections” purchased and presented by
the President of Lakeland College to the President of Shanghai
Finance College, Shanghai, China.
1999 - 2003
Art in Embassies Program of the U.S. Department of State
U.S. Ambassadorial Residence; Nairobi, Kenya
U.S. Ambassadorial Residence: Gaborone, Botswana
1997 - Present
Exhibitions & Gallery Representation, Space N’s Gallery, Tachikawa City, Tokyo, Japan

Awards

2007
Best in Show; “A Holiday Membership Exhibition 2007"; Gallery North, Plymouth Arts Foundation,
Plymouth, WI
2006
Award of Merit; “Agrarian Views”; Gallery 110 North; Plymouth Arts Foundation Plymouth, WI
2005
Award of Excellence; “Mighty Midwest Biennial III”; NewVisions Gallery; Marshfield, WI
Award of Merit; “Alive in the Arts - A Joan Kohn Juried Exhibition”, Gallery 110 North; Plymouth Arts
Foundation, Plymouth, WI
2004
Percent for Art Direct Purchase Program Award, Wisconsin Arts Board, Madison, WI
2003
Award of Merit; “Alive in the Arts - A Joan Kohn Juried Exhibition”, Gallery 110 North; Plymouth Arts
Foundation, Plymouth, WI
1998
Percent for Art Direct Purchase Program Award, Wisconsin Arts Board, Madison, WI
Sabbatical; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
First Place; “Not Only Badgers, Packers and Cows”, Gallery 110 North, Plymouth Arts Foundation;
Plymouth, WI
1992
Juror’s Mention; Kansas 17th National Small Painting,Drawing and Print Exhibition; Fort Hays State
University; Fort Hays, KS
1983
2nd Place; GALEX 17 Annual International Competitive
Exhibition; Galesburg Civic Art Center; Galesburg, IL
1981
Thomas Coleman Award for Outstanding Achievement, in the Area of Printmaking, University of
Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
Juror’s Choice Award; Nebraska Wesleyan University’s “Fred Wells 6”, Nebraska Wesleyan University;
Lincoln, NE
Purchase Award; Nebraska Wesleyan University’s “Fred Wells”, Nebraska Wesleyan University; Lincoln,
NE
Purchase Award; ANAC - 1st Annual Competitive “Nebraska Reflections 81”, Hastings College Art
Gallery; Hastings, NE

Selected Permanent Collections

Shanghai Finance College; Shanghai, China
The Concourse Hotel; Madison, WI
Dept. of Administration––WI Rapids State Office Building; Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Northern Trust Bank: Milwaukee, WI
Johnson Wax Corporation; Racine, WI
Private Bank; St. Charles, IL
Waukesha Memorial Hospital; Waukesha, WI
Medical Society of Wisconsin/SMS Foundation, Inc.; Madison, WI
Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company; Milwaukee, WI
Bank First National; Sheboygan, WI
WEA Insurance Group; Madison, WI
Bemis Manufacturing Corporation; Sheboygan Falls, WI
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
Tarkio College; Tarkio, MO
Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE
John Esch Library, Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
Hastings State Bank; Hastings, NEDr. Stephen Gould, President’s Residence, Lakeland College, Sheboygan, W
Numerous Corporate & Private Collections, United States, Africa & Japan

Solo Exhibitions

2011
Grace Chosy Gallery, ”Arboretum Views”, Madison WI
2007
Grace Chosy Gallery, ”Bridges”, Madison WI
Frehner Gallery, Monroe Arts Center, Monroe, WI
2004
Bradley Gallery of Art, “Self-Endeavors”, Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
Douglas-Baker Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
Gallery 110 North, Plymouth Arts Association, Plymouth, WI
2001
Featured Artist Exhibit; Edgewood Orchard Galleries, Fish Creek, WI
2000
Center for the Visual Arts; Wausau, WI
1998
The Neville Public Museum of Brown County; Green Bay, WI
Center Gallery; St. Mary’s University, Winona, MN
GEF-1 Office Building Main Gallery; Department of Workforce Development, Madison, WI
1995
Humanities Fine Arts Center Gallery; University of Minnesota-Morris
Suzanne Kohn Gallery; International Design Center; Minneapolis, MN
1994
University of Wisconsin Center- Manitowoc County Campus; Fine Arts Gallery
DeRicci Gallery; Edgewood College, Madison, WI
1993
University of Wisconsin - Sheboygan Center; Sheboygan, WI
1990
Carleton College; Northfield, MN
1989
Turner Art Center; Centenary College; Shreveport, LA
Louisiana State University-Shreveport; Shreveport, LA
1987
The Studio Art Gallery; Tarkio College, Tarkio, MO
1985
Ford Hall Gallery; Mercersburg Academy; Mercersburg, PA
1984
Pattee Library Gallery; Pennsylvania State University; University Park
1982
The Unitarian Church Gallery; Lincoln, NE

Two-Person/Group And Invitational Exhibitions

2009
Celebrating 30 Years, Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI
2007
Faculty Art Exhibition; Bradley Gallery; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
2006
One and Only; Artspace; Kohler, WI
Drawn In; Miller Museum of Art; Sturgeon Bay, WI
Holiday Membership Exhibition; Gallery 110 North; Plymouth, WI
2005
One and Only; Artspace; Kohler, WI
Into the Woods; Edgewood Orchard Galleries; Fish Creek, WI
2004
Landscape; Mary Bell Galleries; Chicago, IL
Gallery Artists Summer Exhibition; Katie Gingrass Gallery; Milwaukee, WI
2003
WISCONSIN Landscape; Foster Gallery; University of Wisconsin –– Eau Claire
2002
Faculty Art Exhibition; Bradley Gallery; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
2001
Faculty Art Exhibition; Bradley Gallery; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
River Arts Center Gallery, Prairie du Sac, WI
2000
Three Person Exhibition; Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI
1999
Two Person Exhibition; West Bend Art Museum, West Bend, WI
Group Pastel Exhibition; Katie Gingrass Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
Faculty Art Exhibition; Bradley Gallery; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
1998
Two Person Exhibition; Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI
Two Person Exhibition; Marian Gallery, Mount Mary College, Milwaukee,WI
1997
Faculty Exhibition; Bradley Gallery of Art, Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
Group Exhibition - 4 Gallery Artists; Mary Bell Galleries, Chicago, IL
Two Person Exhibition; Space N’’s Gallery; Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan
“Essence of Place”- Two Person Exhibition; Hennepin County Oxboro Library, Bloomington, MN
“ Shaping the Vision: Six Current Views”; Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Wayzata, MN
1996
Faculty Art Exhibition; Bradley Gallery; Lakeland College; Sheboygan, WI
“Winter Show 1996”; Bridge Square Gallery; Northfield, MN
1995
Two Person Exhibition; Grace Chosy Gallery; Madison, WI
Summer Show; Bridge Square Gallery; Northfield. MN
“Winter Show”, Works from Local and Regional Artists; Bridge Square Gallery, Northfield, MN
Faculty Art Exhibition; Bradley Art Gallery; Lakeland College; Sheboygan, WI
1993
The Thomas P. Coleman Memorial Collection Award Winners;
The Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
1992
Faculty Art Exhibition: Bradley Art Gallery; Lakeland College, Sheboygan,WI
Annual Christmas Exhibition; Grace Chosy Gallery; Madison, WI
1991
“Windows”- A Group Invitational Exhibition; Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI
Faculty Art Exhibition; Bradley Art Gallery; Lakeland College; Sheboygan,WI
1990
Annual Christmas Exhibition; Grace Chosy Gallery Madison, WI
Gallery Artists; MC Gallery; Minneapolis, MN
1989
Faculty Art Exhibition; Bradley Art Gallery; Lakeland College; Sheboygan,WI
1988
Two-Person Exhibition; Hastings College Art Gallery; Hastings, NE
1987
The Riverbend Art Festival; Atchison, KS
1986
Two-Person Exhibition; Muchnic Art Gallery; Atchison, KS
The 2nd National Tarkio Invitational; The Studio Gallery; Tarkio College, Tarkio, MO
Two Person Exhibition; Linder Art Gallery; Keystone Junior College; LaPlume, PA
1985
A.I.R. Gallery Annual Holiday Invitational; A.I.R. Gallery; New York, NY
The Artful Christmas; Doris Fordham Gallery; Clarks Summit, PA
The 1st National Tarkio Invitational; The Studio Gallery; Tarkio College,
Tarkio, MO Recognizable Objects; Doris Fordham Gallery; Clarks Summit, PA
Thesis Exhibition; Zoller Gallery; Pennsylvania State University;
University Park, PA M.F.A. Group Exhibition; Zoller Gallery;
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
1984
A.I.R. Gallery Annual Holiday Invitational; A.I.R. Gallery; New York, NY
“Group Dynamics - An Invitational Exhibition”; Zoller Gallery
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
1983
M.F.A. Group Exhibition; Zoller Gallery; Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Competitive Exhibitions

2008
Alive in the Arts - A Joan Kohn Memorial Exhibition, Gallery 110 North, Plymouth, WI
2007
63rd Art Annual Exhibition; Neville Public Museum; Green Bay, WI
Alive in the Arts - A Joan Kohn Memorial Exhibition, Gallery 110 North, Plymouth, WI
2006
62nd Art Annual Exhibition; Neville Public Museum; Green Bay, WI
Agrarian Views……; Gallery 110 North; Plymouth, WI
2005
Mighty Midwest Biennial III; New Visions Gallery; Marshfield, WI
Alive in the Arts –– A Joan Kohn Memorial Exhibition, Gallery 110 North, Plymouth, WI
Eight Counties; John Michael Kohler Art Center; Sheboygan, WI
2004
Alive in the Arts –– A Joan Kohn Memorial Exhibition, Gallery 110 North, Plymouth, WI
2003
Northern National Art Competition; Nicolet College Art Gallery, Rhinelander, WI
Impressions; Blanden Memorial Art Museum, Fort Dodge, IA
Alive in the Arts - A Joan Kohn Memorial Exhibition, Gallery 110 North, Plymouth, WI
Beloit & Vicinity; Wright Museum of Art, Beloit College, Beloit, WI
2001
Eight Counties; John Michael Kohler Art Center; Sheboygan, WI
1999
57th Art Annual Exhibition; Neville Public Museum; Green Bay, WI
1998
Not Only Badgers, Packers & Cows; Gallery 110 North, Plymouth, WI
Six Counties Triennial Exhibition; John Michael Kohler Art Center, Sheboygan, WI
1997
55th Art Annual Exhibition; Neville Public Museum; Green Bay, WI
1996
54th Art Annual Exhibition; Neville Public Museum; Green Bay, WI
1995
Wisconsin Artists’’ Biennial; University of Wisconsin Fine Arts Galleries at Green Bay, Eau Claire and
Stevens Point, WI
1995
Greater Midwest International Exhibition X; Art Center Gallery, Central Missouri State University;
Warrensburg, MO
1994
Wisconsin Painters & Sculptors Statewide Membership Exhibition; River Edge Galleries; Mishicot, WI
1993
Wisconsin Artists’ Biennial; Fine Arts Gallery; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Lawton Gallery of Art; Lawrence University, Appleton, WI
1992
Kansas 17th National Small Painting, Drawing and Print Exhibition, Moss-Thorn Gallery of Art, Fort Hays
State University; Hays, KS
1991
Pastels ‘‘91:Sixth Annual National Exhibition; The Midwest Pastel Society, Dellora Norris Cultural Arts
Center; St. Charles, IL
1990
Six Counties Triennial Exhibition; John Michael Kohler Art Center, Sheboygan, WI
1989
National Juried Art Exhibition; Arlington Art Association, Arlington Museum of Art, Arlington, TX
16th International Dogwood Festival Art Show; Georgia Tech Student Center Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Fifth Annual Arts Fest Juried Gallery Show; Gibson-Barham Gallery, Imperial Calcasieu Museum; Lake
Charles, LA
The Greater Midwest International Exhibition IV; Art Center Gallery, Central Missouri State University;
Warrensburg, MO
1988
Art in the Woods ‘‘88; Overland Park Arts Commission; The Corporate Woods, Overland Park, KS
The Greater Midwest International Exhibition III; Art Center Gallery, Central Missouri State University;
Warrensburg, MO
1987 Biennial; Sioux City Art Center; Sioux City, IA
1986
AAUW National Art Mart Exhibition; IntraWest Bank of Greeley, CO
1985
15th Annual Works on Paper Exhibition; Southwest Texas State University, San Marco, TX
16th Annual River Road Art Competition; Louisiana Art & Artist’s Guild, Inc., Guild Gallery, Baton Rouge,
LA
28th Chautaugua National Exhibition of American Art 1985; Chautaugua Art Association Galleries;
Chautaugua, NY
1984
Pensacola National Portrait Exhibition; Visual Arts Gallery; Pensacola Junior College, Pensacola, FL
Women in the Arts Celebration; William Penn Memorial Museum, Harrisburg, PA
1983
16th Annual Arkansas Exhibition; S.E. Arkansas Arts & Science Center, Pine Bluff, AR
The Figure; New Form/New Function; Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN
1983
26th Annual Chautaugua National Exhibition of American Art 1983, Chautaugua Art Association
Galleries; Chautaugua, NY
GAL EX 17; 17th Annual International Competitive Exhibition; Galesburg Civic Art Center; Galesburg, IL
WINTER ART/Manhattan; Strecker Gallery; Manhattan, KS
1982
Fred Wells 7; Nebraska Wesleyan University Elder Gallery; Lincoln, NE
1982
Summerarts IX Regional Juried Art Exhibition; Warner M. Lee Center for Fine Arts; University of South
Dakota; Vermillion, SD
Kansas 7th National Small Painting, Drawing, & Print Exhibition; Fort Hays State University; Hays, KS
1981
Fred Wells 6; Nebraska Wesleyan University Elder Gallery; Lincoln, NE
ANA C - 1st Annual Competitive - Nebraska Reflections ‘‘81, Hastings College Art Gallery; Hastings, NE
1980
15 Regional Artists; Mark IV Gallery; Lincoln, NE
1979
Works on Paper - University of Nebraska Traveling Exhibition; University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA; Syracuse
University, Syracuse, NY

Publications And Reviews

2006
Drawn In; Exhibition Catalog; Miller Museum of Art; Sturgeon Bay, WI
2004
Self-Endeavors; Videotape Collection; John Esch Library, Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
2003
Impressions; Exhibition Catalog; Blanden Memorial Art Museum; Fort Dodge, IA
2002
Reflections; Update: The Lakeland College Magazine; Sheboygan, WI
“Lemon-Lime Peripheral”; 2002 Edgewood Orchard Galleries Calendar
2001
“East View from Rangeline Road Bridge”; 2001 Edgewood Orchard Galleries Calendar
1998
A Heart for Art; The Sheboygan Press, by Molly DeCleene, Sheboygan, WI
1997
Program Catalogue for Children & Adults; Minnetonka Center for the Arts
Reproduction of “Kettle Moraine #3”, Fall 1997 Catalogue, Wayzata, MN
1996
Wisconsin Academy Review; A Journal of Wisconsin Culture
Front and Back Cover Art; Summer 1996 Edition; Published by the Wisconsin
Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, Madison, WI
1991
An Exhibit With a View; Wisconsin State Journal
1989
Artist’s Works Bright, Warm, Colorful; The Times; Shreveport, LA

Commissions

Concourse Hotel Lobby, Madison, WI
Northern Trust Bank, Milwaukee, WI
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., Milwaukee, WI
Thomas Uecke, Milwaukee, WI
Numerous Private Commissions throughout the Midwest.

Professional Activities

2007
Juror, Kohler Company Annual Photography Competition, Kohler Company, Kohler, WI
2006
Committee Member, On Campus Curriculum Committee, Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
2004
Convocation Lecture, “Self-Endeavors”, Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
2003-06
Fine Arts & Communications Committee member, Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
2003
Juror, Miller Art Museum’’s Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Sturgeon Bay, WI
2002
Juror, Kohler Company Annual Photography Competition, Kohler Company, Kohler, WI
Guest Lecturer, Sheboygan North High School, Sheboygan, WI
Set & Program Design, Set Coordinator, Blue Line Ice Center, “Grease on Ice” Sheboygan, WI
Lobby Display, Sheboygan Youth Theater Company, Plymouth, WI
2002-03
Committee Member, On Campus Curriculum Committee, Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
2001
Program Design, Blue Line Ice Center, Annual Ice Skating Exhibition
“103 Dalmatians on Ice”; Sheboygan, WI
2000
Program Design, Wisconsin Edge Figure Skating Club, Exhibition Program, Milwaukee, WI
Guest Lecturer; Sheboygan North High School, Sheboygan, WI
1998
Guest Lecturer; Sheboygan North High School, Sheboygan, WI
Editor: “On & Off the Wall”, Quarterly Newsletter; Plymouth Arts Foundation, Plymouth, WI
1997
Juror; Kohler Company Annual Photography Competition, Kohler Company Kohler, WI
Guest Panelist; “Massaging the Artist’s Ego”, Plymouth Art Foundation Gallery 110 North, Plymouth, WI
1995 - 2001
Committee Member; Professional Standards Committee; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
1994
Guest Lecturer; University of Wisconsin Center - Manitowac
1989 -
Present
Coordinator; Art Department; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
Co-Director; Bradley Art Gallery; Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI
1991
Juror; “28th Waupaca Art Show”; Waupaca, WI Juror; Magnolia
Sidewalk Arts Festival; Magnolia, AR
1989
Interview; “Artscene”; Shreveport Cablevision; Shreveport, LA
Juror; Natchitoches Art Guild Exhibit; Northwestern State University of Louisiana, Natchitoches, LA
1988
Juror; “Great Things to See in Kansas”; Sponsored by The Kansas Optometric Auxiliary; Muchnic Gallery;
Atchison, KS
1986-88
Co-Director; South Administration Art Gallery; Benedictine College, Atchison, KS
1986
Gallery Lecture and Discussion; Linder Art Gallery; Keystone Junior College, La Plume, PA
1985
Juror; Susquehanna Arts Festival; Susquehanna, PA Guest Lecturer, The Mercersburg Academy;
Mercersburg, PA
1984
Juror; Pennsylvania State University Undergraduate Art Exhibition, Zoller Gallery; University Park, PA