Ripple River Art Gallery News

‘Seasons’ exhibit explores Minnesota landscape through watercolor

Whether it’s the crisp blue-white of a winter landscape, the yellow and green of spring growth, summer’s verdant palette, or the rich tones of autumn, the Minnesota landscape offers ample inspiration for artist Dan Mondloch. “Seasons,” an exhibit of Mondloch’s watercolors, opened this week (March 4) at Ripple River Gallery near Bay Lake. The exhibit will continue through March 29.

Mondloch, a St. Cloud native who earned a bachelor of fine arts degree at St. Cloud State University, balances a life of painting—a full-time job as a house painter, and his spare time work as a watercolor artist. Mondloch shows his work at regional arts events and shows.

The familiar scenes of life in Minnesota, most inspired from personal experience, are the focus of Mondloch’s paintings. He grew up fishing, hunting and biking, and developed an appreciation for the special places in the region—secluded lakeshores, frozen ponds, long-shadowed forests. “Natural beauty is abundant in this area, and in our busy day-to-day lives it can easily go unseen,” Mondloch says.

Through his watercolors he offers an opportunity for the viewer to see the world through his eyes. “I hope they have a deeper sense of wonder and appreciation for their natural surroundings and I encourage them to seek similar experiences in their own lives,” he said.

Although he works primarily in watercolor, Mondloch combines other media (transparent acrylic, gouache, pastel, casein and conté) to develop the intensity of his images. Light and shadow, positive and negative space, and the patterns that develop, give his paintings energy and visual impact.

“There are times when we find ourselves out in nature, without the distractions of civilized life, where we experience an amazing sense of clarity,” Mondloch said. “This has a grounding effect that helps us realize what is really important in life.” Mondloch hopes his paintings convey that sense of wonder and calm. “I hope my paintings draw you in long enough to imagine what it is like to actually be there.”

Dan Mondloch will be on hand for an informal closing reception on Sunday, March 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. The public is invited to meet the artist and visit with him about his work.

Ripple River Gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, and by chance or by appointment. Extended hours will begin in May.

The gallery is located five miles south of Deerwood on Highway 6, then 3 miles east of Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge on County Road 14 to Partridge Avenue; or south of Aitkin on Highway 169 to Bennettville, then 3.2 miles west on County Road 11 to Partridge Avenue.

For more information call 218-678-2575, e-mail ripriv@mlecmn.net or visit www.ripplerivergallery.com.