On the first Friday of every month, Tettegouche State Park hosts juried art shows, where an artist’s work is displayed and the artist is present to greet visitors. December’s artist is Duluth artist Edna Stromquist. She will be presenting her artwork at Tettegouche State Park on Friday, December 6 from 7:00-8:30 p.m..
Edna Stromquist began painting with watercolor in 2011, at the age of 65, after a friend introduced her to the medium. Stromquist said she has been “passionate about it ever since. I have always been a creative person.” Creative projects have filled Stromquist’s life, including interior design, floral arranging, sewing, designing and working with stained glass, and weaving baskets. “But [I] never thought I had any drawing or painting talent”, she admitted. “Once I made the connection that the elements of design I used in so many other mediums applied to watercolor painting, a whole new world opened up for me.”
Portraiture “because of the way I am able to capture the spirit of the subject” began Edna Stromquist’s journey in watercolor. She enjoys seeing the “attitude” and “personality” of her subject come alive on the paper as she paints.
More recently, Stromquist has begun painting landscapes, specifically those of Northern Minnesota. “In my work, I try to create the feeling that I had when I first experienced each new scene. Birches hold special meaning for me as well as stately pines. The waters of the pristine lakes are magical and the power of Lake Superior creates awe no matter the season.” The “wonders of nature” as she calls them feature as the basis of her show “Majestic Minnesota”.
Edna Stromquist’s New Year’s resolution for 2024 was to paint every day. Even on vacation, she takes her paints and finds new subjects for her art. Her home studio is “bursting with art books. I find it very easy to get lost in the studio for hours.” Stromquist is still learning as well, and takes workshops to explore new techniques. On Wednesdays she paints alongside a group of fellow watercolorists, once a week she paints with her daughter, and once a month Stromquist travels to Carlton to paint at the Arrowhead Art Club. A member of the Lake Superior Watercolor Society, she regularly participates in their shows.
The next scheduled show for Edna Stromquist is at Lake Superior College, where her art will be displayed for the spring semester. Her work can also be viewed at the 47 Degree Gallery in Knife River, where some of her pieces are for sale.
Thank you, Edna, for sharing a bit of your artistic process, and to the Friends of Tettegouche State Park for hosting the Artist Reception.
