By Jonathan E. Himlin

“To create without passion is to create nothing at all.” Bruce W. Sykes

Art Is Creativity
In its purest form, art is creativity. And if you agree with Mr. Sykes’ contention, you must also conclude, then, that art requires passion in order to create anything worthwhile.

As a group, artists are long on passion. Throughout history they have struggled famously for its cause, often sacrificing security, health and happiness to satisfy their own hunger for artistic truth above all else. Sometimes great rewards follow as a result. But too often the adoration of audiences is more difficult to attain.

Passion Doesn’t Always Pay the Rent
In short, passion doesn’t always pay the rent. So, artists are frequently faced with the task of toning down their work to make it more marketable to the mainstream, or resorting to more commercial ways to make money. But is commercial or commissioned work the enemy of artistic creativity? Or is it a matter of adding your own creative signature to whatever work you do, commissioned or not? (more…)

By Chelsea Langston

Imagine a region vibrating with all the color and life of a bygone American era. You need not take an imaginary journey into your favorite Norman Rockwell painting or Rogers and Hamerstein Musical because such an area still exists, tucked into a quaint corner of Northeastern Wisconsin. Door County Peninsula, with its hundreds of miles of shoreline and hundreds of years of unique heritage, is surrounded by the waters of Lake Michigan on the north and east and the waters of Green Bay on the west.

Door County is known for its strong artistic community and boasts almost one hundred art venues including galleries, museums, performing arts centers, and studios. It is rare that such a relatively small and secluded place could give birth to such a flourishing climate of artistic production. How could one county, a mere 75 miles long, hold the keys to unlocking inspiration for countless individuals? And more importantly, would I, upon entering Door Country, transcend a threshold of artistic wonder, or would the proverbial door slam on my ideological vision of this place?

On the first morning of my journey, the nondescript sky and the still breath of autumn air seem themselves a blank canvas, ready to absorb the colors, sights, and tastes of Door County. As I drive further into the heart of the peninsula, a bronzed palette of autumn colors burst onto the barren backdrop. If you want an at-once cozy and lavish lodging, do as I did and check into the suite at the Eagle Harbor Inn. What a more ideal way to transition from the splendor of the natural trails and the authentic bay views than to soak in the albeit artificial warmth of the in-room hot-tub or gas fire-place? (more…)

By Jonathan E. Himlin

During the course of writing my Publisher’s Note in the September/October 2007 issue, I posed this question: Does creating art always demand talent, or can someone with little or no skill make a living as an artist simply on his or her ideas?

Perhaps you’ve heard of the work of artist Felix Gonzalez-Torres. I read about him in a magazine earlier this year when one of his “wrapped candies” displays was being exhibited at a New York gallery. Gonzalez-Torres’ displays use simple everyday items—candy, cube-like stacks of paper or 15-watt frosted light bulbs, for example—and invites viewers to take a piece of the display with them. This particular piece was comprised of thousands of individually-wrapped black licorice pieces, which were piled a few feet high into one corner of the room. The candy, gradually being consumed by viewers, was periodically replenished by the curator in order to maintain a seemingly unending supply. (more…)