Staff photo/Rhonda Silence Author Cameron Norman’s book Superior Artisans—In Praise of Hands features an eclectic assortment of photos and statements from artists along the North Shore.
Author Cameron Norman opens Superior Artisans – In Praise of Hands with an explanation that the book is “a tribute to those who respond to their environment with creativity and joy.” The book fulfills its purpose beautifully, from its cover photo of Artists Point to the fun group shot of the contributing photographers at the end.
Norman photographed an interesting mix of Northlanders, ranging from timber framers and twig furniture makers to beekeepers and bookmakers; from quilters and rosemalers to glass artists and stonemasons. With the help of an amazing array of local photographers, Norman captures 44 artisans with a portrait—relaxing by his or her handiwork or hard at work creating something— and a closer look at the artist’s hands.
Also included are artist statements, and the compositions, like the artists’ hands, are varied. Some are profound, like Fern Belling’s lovely essay about collecting needles for her pine needle weaving. Belling speaks of the red pines, balsam, birch, poplar, black and white spruce, and the giant white pines…and how they tell listeners stories of wind, rain, snow and sun. Belling said she imagines them talking to one another, and to her, as she collects the needles for her craft. Weaving needles is a pleasure for her, she explains, “For an hour I become part of that precious society of friends, standing in the sun, listening.”
Dan and Lee Ross of Hovland, stone and clay sculptors, also reflect on the connection between their art and the land. Their prose ends simply, “Lessons of a lifetime all wrapped up in a small stone.”
Art Kidd of Grand Marais speaks eloquently about the connection between his art— building boats—and the natural world. Kidd writes about rowing a small boat easily and quietly through the cold waters of the Grand Marais harbor and explains, “I feel in touch with my roots. I feel in touch with the harbor water and everything around me… Thisis joy.”
Kidd adds a whimsical footnote, “Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.”
Talented woodcarver Don Lessard humbly makes fun of the seriousness of it all, speaking from the perspective of his hands. He writes, “…How did
we end up here, connected to such a dreamer! The next thing you know, he’ll want us to carve a bear, or write an artist’s statement, or maybe…”
There are many more statements and many more portraits of artists, entwined with subtly connected photos of the North Shore—the remnants of the Ham Lake wildfire next to the forge-created metal work of Tom Christiansen; a flowing river next to Dave Asproth’s intricate fly-tying page; a glistening fall spider web next to weaver Pat Zankman at her
loom.
The book, published by Butter Moon Arts, is an invitation to discover the magnificent work produced by the hands—large and small, young and old—of the people of the North Shore. Accept Norman’s invitation to wander with the artists “into forests and meadows, over rivers, rocks, and back roads”—you’ll be glad you did.
Superior Artisans – In Praise of Hands is available on-line at www.superiorartisans. org.
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