Wisconsin Artists Series
Sculptors, painters, print makers, photographers, musicians, singers, dancers, and many other artists play a significant part in the reputation of Wisconsin as an exciting place for artists to work and live. Those artists, on whom our museums, our performance centers and our historians focus, are but a small fraction of the community of artists that creates Wisconsin’s environment fostering the growth and establishment of new artists.
The intent of the etchings in the Wisconsin Artist Series is to document current and past Wisconsin artists during their daily lives. In these images, Wisconsin artists may be working at their art or other of their daily activities that this etcher feels represents a portion of their lives.
The series currently consists of four etchings: Metal sculptor Ellis Nelson (2007), etcher Larry Welo (2008), wood sculptor Tom Loeser (2009) and musician Ben Sidran (2010).
Ben Sidran, Music Wherever He Goes
2009
8“ x 10“
Primary Techniques:
Line etching, dry point, aquatint and chin colé
Musician Ben Sidran left Racine to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the early 1960, joining Boz Scaggs and Steve Miller in a Madison blues band, The Ardells. After music production and playing with groups in England and California, Ben made Madison his home and brought with him an even greater focus on the Madison modern music scene. He continues to travel widely to perform and produce programs for NPR and VHS. Ben continues to teach at the UW and authors books about music and musicians. Ben brings great focus on the Madison modern music scene by his local piano and singing performances with Clyde Stubblefield and his son, Leo Sidran.
Catalog of Society of American Graphic Artists show at the Newark Rare Book Collection in 2019. “Ben Sideran” is now part of the print collection at the Newark Library.
Larry Welo Takes a Vacation
2008
8” x 10”
Primary Techniques:
Line etching, dry point, and chin collet
In his former studio, in the Opera House located in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, artist Larry Welo creates etchings of the Midwest landscapes and urban neighborhoods. Among his repeating themes are baseball, cats and people during their daily lives - bicycling, walking down the street, dreaming on the front porch. His studio is a sanctum in which acid, sheets of copper, inks of all colors and paper combine to create images imagined by Larry. His use of traditional etching techniques echo those of Rembrandt, Dϋrer, and others.
When you meet Larry you are impressed by his keen ability to listen and his clear explanation of the intent and process leading to his etchings. His work brings you home to the Midwest and has you look at your surroundings and your neighbors from new perspectives. Those lucky enough to be a student or an apprentice of Larry’s learn how to appreciate the creative process, how techniques can limit an artist’s intent and how serendipity in the etching process can provide a positive outcome.
Without Larry’s patience and teaching skill, none of the prints on this website would exist. Larry taught both John and Burt how the process and the work of etching works, and we thank him for giving us the incentive to continue beyond his classes.
Oh, did I forget to mention, the Opera House periodically needed painting and in this image, etcher Larry Welo turns painter. Upkeep on this historic old building is only one reason he has moved his studio to new digs.
Tom Loeser, Will it Float?
2009
8” x10”
Primary Techniques:
Line etching, dry point, aquatint, and watercolor
University of Wisconsin – Madison artist, Tom Loeser, saws, planes, glues, paints, … at the UW’s Department of Art and the Winnebago Studios. His wood, glass and fiber pieces cause the eye to look again, the mind to consider the beauty of useful objects, and how the laws of physics remain an imperative in creating a truly useful object. Dual rocking chairs share common rockers, old shovels provide the back rest for a bench to remind one to rest after labor, clocks float like bubbles, rugs become benches, benches grow from trees, and boats take on forms that stretch the concepts of liquid displacement! Tom takes a piece of wood and makes your eye see physically straight lines bend and flat surfaces take on three dimensions.
Ellis Nelson
2009
8” x 10”
Primary Techniques:
Line etching, dry point
Muscoda, Wisconsin artist Ellis Nelson’s welded metal sculptures fly, spin, and wave while residing in the yards, porches and interiors of homes and gardens all over the Midwest. Many of us know him by his signature piece, a black metal heron. When you meet Ellis, this teddy bear of a man shows the physical elements of his welding technique ranging from his scorched leather protective apron to the dark creases in his paw-sized hands. Anyone who has visited the inner sanctum of Ellis’ gas station, converted-to-a-studio, on a snowy winter day has heard about his flying saucer sightings. Perhaps he will also tell you about his self-built, self-feeding sawdust furnace that clanks and whirs keeping the mechanic’s bay of the welding studio tropical on the coldest of days. Perhaps he will tell you about the day he decided to weld an advertising sculpture for the roof of his gas station and became a sculptor. If you find it necessary to classify Ellis’s art, we might call him one of modernity’s folk artist.
Oh yes! and there is Fugo, his faithful dog sitting in the front seat of his pickup waiting for a ride home.