An Idea Realized
For a long while I had an idea to create a poster featuring my beautiful home state of Wisconsin, but with so much going on here, and an endless choice of subjects, I wasn’t sure where to begin. The project languished until a couple of years ago when I noticed the popularity of using state shapes in home decor items, on t-shirts, and on other graphic products. This realization pushed the project to the front burner. I knew the idea had the potential to appeal to a large audience, in this case the residents (past and present) of Wisconsin. People are naturally attracted to the familiar, so my plan was to add a unique element to the recognizable shape of Wisconsin.
My initial vision was to include an assortment of images representing popular characteristics of the state, but that seemed rather overwhelming. I finally decided to start with the basics and feature my tried and true subject of the Wisconsin farm. The resulting watercolor includes the iconic scene of a red barn, silo, and out-buildings, something that can be found throughout the state. In the sky I added my signature fluffy white clouds, and some attractive details in the foreground wildflowers.
Once I had made note cards featuring this image I was ready to share it with the public at my upcoming summer art fairs. I was pleasantly surprised to find that people really liked it, and many told me they were going to send the cards to out-of-state and overseas friends and family.
The positive reception encouraged me to expand on the idea by creating an entire series of Wisconsin themed watercolors. I started by making a list of what I thought the state is best known for. My second painting, called “Northwoods Escape,” features a cabin on a lake where a canoe and kayaker paddle the calm waters among the water lilies.
The third piece, “Wisconsin Ag,” returns to a farmland scene with grazing cows, but focuses on a variety of Wisconsin agricultural products displayed in the foreground, including dairy products, hops, ginseng, and more.
Number four is a view from up on a hilltop, and under an apple tree, of what could be either Lake Michigan or Superior, or even the Mississippi River. A monarch butterfly and wren have both alighted in the foreground wildflowers.
Number five is a fall scene at the edge of a birch and maple forest, where a rooster pheasant and buck deer stand amid golden ferns.
Unexpected Expansion
This set of five designs were a hit at my 2017 art fairs, where I sold them as note cards, individual 8×10 prints, and a poster that includes all five images. Nearly all of these shows were along the west-central edge of Wisconsin, and a couple were over the border into Minnesota. This led to quite a few Minnesotans asking if I had any images featuring their state. I didn’t, and, at first, I had no intention of veering away from my focus on the dairy state, but after multiple requests I decided it might be smart to venture beyond my original plan, and add a new state to my portfolio.
With my first holiday show coming up in mid-November, in Winona, Mn., I got busy on the first painting in this new Minnesota series. It features a ski sweater design painted with a knit pattern. The show was this past Saturday, and I was excited to find that people liked it! In fact, I sold all the cards from the first run of this design at the show.
Wisconsin: Phase 2
This fall I have also added a couple new designs to my Wisconsin collection, both of which are directed at a more specific audience, and feature a single motif rather than an outdoor scene. I created my sixth design in the series in preparation for a Scandinavian festival that I have been a vendor at for several years. This watercolor of Scandinavian Christmas hearts is embellished with some Norwegian rosemaling. It also was a sellout at this festival.
My latest addition features the state’s number one fruit crop – cranberries. I created note cards with this design for the Cranberry Discovery Center in Warrens, Wisconsin. These, along with the first five designs in the series, will be available in their gift shop.
Within the next couple of weeks I hope to add an eighth installment, which will be my Christmas card design for 2017. For updates on when it will be available please check out my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/scwatercolors or www.SharonChristensenArt.com.
To place an order just send me an email or message. Sets of any six cards are $10, plus postage. These include the text “Hello from Wisconsin.” Minnesota card available with text “Merry Christmas from Minnesota.” 8×10 prints (images/text as shown) are just $10, along with the 6×13 inch poster featuring all five outdoor scenes.
