In September, VIVA Gallery (Viroqua Independent Visual Artists Cooperative) welcomes Laura Siitari as our guest artist for September. Laura has always thought of herself as an artist, starting with scratching “The Creature” in scary letters into the windowsill as a child. She earned her degree in painting from UW-Milwaukee. In 1999, she and her husband moved from Milwaukee to the Mississippi River valley area, where she began painting again in earnest, including running a gallery for five years in Lansing, Iowa. Laura is often drawn to familiar objects and scenery.
Her intent is to show the grace and tranquility of everyday scenes as an antidote to the fast-paced, mindless routines so many of us get caught up in. Though her style is realistic, she is not trying to fool the eye; rather, to distill the elegance of shapes, patterns and mystery of shadows.
Our featured artist member in September is Monica Jagel. She describes her work as simple in
composition, with colored pencil the details shine. She loves the nuance and subtleties of the medium. Through her work her passion is revealed – the diversity, beauty and intricacy of the natural world. If she can make someone pause and consider the importance of protecting the natural environment she has succeeded in her work.
a Halloween card by Monica Jagel
look for it at VIVA!
