Monday, June 9, 2014

The LoLa Art Crawl

Has it really been that long since I've posted? Sorry for such a long absence!


Well, Spring has Sprung (finally)! and with the suddenly balmy temperatures comes a dizzying flurry of activity. The Minneapolis neighborhood that I live in (which is called Longfellow) is hosting their annual Art Crawl this summer. Artists of all kinds open up their homes or studios to display their work. I decided to join in the festivities and so I'm trying to get some new pieces ready, and fix up a few old pieces, as well.

Here's a blurb about the event from the LoLa website:

Look out! Here comes LoLa!

The biggest little neighborhood art crawl in Minnesota

LoLa (the League of Longfellow artists) is proud to announce the sixth annual LoLa art crawl. Smaller and more intimate than many art festivals, the LoLa art crawl will give you a glimpse into the creative workspaces of artisans working on jewelry, glasswork, painting, collage, photography, textiles, pottery, sculpture, and more.
The League of Longfellow artists is an artist-organized community dedicated to bringing attention to the treasures of artistic expression created by artists living/working in the greater Longfellow neighborhood of south Minneapolis.

This year’s art crawl will take place from 10 am to 5 pm on August 23 and 24, 2014.

The following was posted today on the LoLa Blog:

Monday, June 9, 2014

John Elsner’s Marvelous Miniatures

It is one of my delights as a volunteer publicist for the LoLa art crawl to discover the wonders of artistic creation and talent right here in Longfellow, Minneapolis; sometimes very close to home, even.
John Elsner's house, where he'll be showing for LoLa

I have often walked to the mailbox on 42nd Avenue and 44th Street, and when I do, I make a point of walking back by way of 42nd Avenue to admire this beautiful garden and charming house near that corner, with its pensive gargoyle perched on the porch steps. How delightful to learn that this is the home of an amazingly talented miniaturist, John Elsner, who will be joining the LoLa art crawl this year for the first time, to showcase his historical dollhouse creations.

The images shown here are from a signature house named Merriman Park, which is also the name of his blog (click here for that), where you can see and read about some of his houses as they have unfolded.
Merriman Park façade, by John Elsner

Where will you be showing for LoLa?
At “The Lilacs,” my vintage 1908 bungalow, located at 4405 42nd Avenue South.
What media do you work in?
I am a miniaturist and create historic period room settings in mostly  1:12 scale. Wood, paint, fabric, resin, plaster and metal are some of the media I work with to produce a complete vignette.

Merriman Park music room, by John Elsner
What inspires/informs your art?
History and art history; period architecture and interior design. Old and new movies; vintage books and novels; plays and TV shows set in the antique past. Magazines of my genre (in fact I have been the subject of some of these publications) and, of course, the internet: the blogs and websites of my peers.

Merriman Park bedroom

What do you like about LoLa? Why did you join?
I was out walking my dog one fine summer’s day, when I happened upon a sign that directed me to an art showing right here in my own neighborhood—literally a block away from my house. I thought, “How cool is this? And right in my own backyard!”
It is truly inspiring to know that there are so many talented, creative people here in my neighborhood of Longfellow. I am thrilled to be a part of this diverse, eclectic group.
Merriman Park drawing room

Are you planning to do anything special during LoLa?
I thought I'd have iced tea or lemonade and maybe cookies or, better yet --bars! (The Midwest in me coming out, I guess). I'll probably have whatever project I'm working on on display.
Merriman Park library

Is there any other news you’d like to share?
I'm being featured in the upcoming August issue of the British publication, Dollhouses and Miniature Scene. I should have copies of it in time for the event.  I'm debating whether to enter my latest project in the Minnesota State Fair, but I would really like to show it at LoLa.

We encouraged him to go ahead and enter the project in the State Fair, with our best wishes. We were sure he could have pictures of it on display for Lola.


Merriman Park dining room



28 comments:

  1. Hello john,
    congratulations on being part of Lola. how lucky they will be to get to see Merriman Park!
    I am so glad to hear from you...I was worried about you!
    I don't think the last comments I left on older posts went through, so happy belated birthday john.
    It is great to have you back.
    Big hugs,
    Giac

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  2. Oups...I forgot, Congratulations on the article...Our john has gone international. You go girl!

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  3. Welcome back and congratuations. That is so cool! I bet you will meet many people who have the same interests and great feedback. You must be so excited!

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  4. John I am extremely proud of you! You deserve all of the notoriety you are getting. Your work is in the group of miniaturists' work that feels like violin music. The kind that reaches deep into your senses.
    CONGRATULATIONS!

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  5. Congrats John! Both on the interview and publication in Dollshouses and Miniature Scenes!
    Good to have you on Blogland back. :)
    I am sure I am not only one who is curious about your latest project. :)
    Big hug,
    Ewa

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  6. O.M. Gosh it sounds like a lot of fun, plus I love your yard (especially that fact that there isn't any grass to mow) you'll have to show us photos! *and give out the bars recipe too* this is so exciting!!


    Hugs
    Marisa

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  7. Hip, hip, hooray!

    and good to see you back again :-)

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  8. Great to hear from you, John, and congratulations on all of this fantastic publicity. People will be blown away by your work. My only regret is that I can't attend and see your work in RL AND meet you in person (the best part of all). Have a great time! xo Jennifer

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  9. Welcome back John! I have missed you and also been more then a little concerned. Especially since your email address has changed. Everything I sent you bounced back. I am so glad you are OK.

    More then OK I see. Congratulations on the well deserved recognition for your beautiful RL home/garden and Merrimen Park.

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  10. Thanks Catherine! Sorry about my email...I updated it in my profile a while back, but sorry you missed it. Good to hear from you!

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  11. Hi John! Welcome Back! You have been missed here in blogland!
    Congratulations on your well deserved recognition for Merriman Park! I sure wish I could come to the Crawl... but I guess I will just have to make do with seeing the wonderful pictures of your beautiful rooms! What is the new project you will be showing/working on? Will we get a preview?
    It's great to see you posting again! Oh, and your garden looks divine!

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  12. John your house and yard are just gorgeous! Sounds like alot of fun. Everyone will be floored when they see what you do. Congratulations on DHMS :)

    ps SO glad you've resurfaced, I misssed you!

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  13. John your house and yard are just gorgeous! Sounds like alot of fun. People will be floored when they see what you do. Congratulations on DHMS.

    ps I'm SO glad you've resurfaced, I missed you!

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  14. Good to see you are back in Blogland :)!
    Congratulations, John, both on the interview and publication in DHMS!
    Your yard is absolutely beautiful and I think most of the visitors during the Lola crawl will admire it too :D!
    Can you show us some pictures on your blog about the project you will show at that time? Sadly we all can't visit your house, so we'll have to miss all the beauty you'll show to others.....;)!
    Hugs, Ilona

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  15. Sounds like a great thing to be part of. Oh I wish I lived closer. I would love to see your house in person. You will probably inspire a whole new group of miniaturists once they see it. Have fun sharing your work. IndyPoppy

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  16. Nice to see a post from you ;-)

    Cool to see you are being welcomed into the world of full size art, I think it is great if the art world are willing to recognize our 1:12 world as art and not just crazy people playing with small stuff.

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  17. You're back!

    Congratulations on DHMS; you've certainly earned it! I'm sure your project will take home the blue ribbon at the State Fair - look at how stunning your "first effort" is!

    Looking forward to an Art Crawl recap...

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  18. So glad with your post, John! :D
    Your yard looks just lovely and inspiring with those bright colored flowers.
    That Lola Art sounds great, it is just destination that this came your way, I am sure.
    I am soooo sorry I did not think of your bday, happy belated birthday to you!
    Congrats on this interview and the publication, there goes the last tiny bit of anonimity, if there still was any left.
    It is all getting so serious, but hack, you sure deserved it!
    Big hugs and have fun at the Lola Art!
    Gee

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  19. Hi John,
    How wonderful to live in an area where your
    craft is appreciated, and can be shared. I do
    sometimes regret living out in the country!
    I am so glad you have received the recognition
    you so deserve for Meriman Park.
    All my best,
    Philip

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  20. Hi John,
    How wonderful to live in an area where your
    craft is appreciated, and can be shared. I do
    sometimes regret living out in the country!
    I am so glad you have received the recognition
    you so deserve for Meriman Park.
    All my best,
    Philip

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  21. WOw good job! I live a bit north of Longfellow, in Seward. Small world!I would love to see your features in LOLA but I will be in Chicago that weekend. Perhaps another time.

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  22. What a great concept! I would love to come round and visit your and your neighbouring artists houses. You have something extra to offer the visitors, a house within a house. I think they will be flocking to see your work!
    Great article on the website. Have fun when the day comes! I hope to read some more here before that though (says she who hasn't posted anything in two months ;-) ).

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  23. Hi John!

    I thought I left you a comment a while ago, but see I haven't! Merriman Park looks great in those pictures I can't wait to see your house in print on the Dolls house magazine over here, I shall camp in the aisles of WH Smith waiting for it to arrive (some may say I already camp in the aisles, but they are just bitter old queens who should know better, aren't they David!?!!)

    hugs Andy xoxo

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  24. Hello John,
    When you have a moment can you please send me an email. I've tried emailing you many times the past months but keep on getting error messages about the email address.
    thanks John,
    Big hug,
    Giac

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  25. Hi Giac,(and everyone)

    Yahoo shut my old account down and so I lost all my email addresses! My new email is johnrelsner@yahoo.com

    XOXO,
    John

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  26. Hi John
    Big congratulations....I just received my Dollshouse and Miniature Scene Magazine today, and Merriman Park is featured in it. So lovely to have it 'in print' to keep forever. Well deserved recognition here in the UK.
    All the best
    Vivian

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  27. How exciting John, congratulations! Oh now I wish I could pop by for lemonade and a perusal of your work at first hand. The 'art crawl' idea in general must be a wonderful event.

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  28. Congratulations on the article in DH & MS - I got my copy yesterday and it was lovely to see you in print.

    Great interview too, by the way and your garden is lovely. It'll be good to see you back blogging with a new project - soon, I hope!

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