Bill Blackwell admires a painting by the late Jim Korf. Blackwell gave a presentation about the Hovland artist at Betsy Bowen’s studio on Saturday, October 19. Many locals loaned their artwork for the show, and Blackwell read a short history and told stories about the well-loved artist.
Who was Jim Korf? A brilliant artist, sure. A nice guy with more talents than most of us can fathom? Absolutely. A character out of a Jack Kerouac novel? No, but he could have been.
The recent passing of Korf stirred something in Bill Blackwell.
“Jim was an amazing individual who gave so much to the county. I didn’t want him to be forgotten. That’s why I put together this tribute,” said Blackwell.
The tribute Blackwell was referring to was held on Saturday, October 19 at Betsy Bowen’s Studio, and it filled up with admirers of Korf. With the help of Jim’s children, Blackwell assembled a large array of paintings by the Hovland artist, and Blackwell read a short biography about Jim.
“Jim Korf was born in Chicago and married Susan. They had three kids and they were both flamenco dancers. Jim gave rides around the parks in oldtime buggies.
“Early in the 1960s, Jim read a book about the Gunflint Trail. He couldn’t forget the book or the stories about the area. In 1963 he moved, taking his gypsy wagon and a quarter horse and an Arabian horse with him. He bought land and a farm in Moose Valley and began to love the area and its people. He would become one of the never forgotten characters of Cook County.”
At some point Jim’s marriage to Susan ended and he married Nancy and they had two children.
“Nancy worked at the Grand Portage National Monument and their children went to school at Grand Portage Kitchi Onagaming log cabin, the last log cabin school in the lower 48 states.
“Once a year Jim traveled to Homer, Alaska to fish for halibut. But Jim, being so gifted with his hands, could make anything, and here is just a part of what he painted and made in Cook County,” said Blackwell.
Korf made the large fish at the Beaver House; the moose at Windigo Lodge; the bar at Hungry Jack Lodge; the walleye outside and a bluegill inside Buck’s Hardware. He drew a picture of legendary Hovland fisherman Helmer Aakvik for the Reader’s Digest story about Aakvik. He made a map of Isle Royale, and painted a picture for the North Shore Care Center and works by him hang at Birch Terrace Restaurant and at Ryden’s Border Store.
He created the cover for Billy Blackwell’s 1970s collection, Nanabozho Stories.
Then there is the picture of the pinstriped jailbird sitting at the old courthouse basketball court holding the ball from his ball and chain attached to his ankle, aiming the metal ball at the basket. In the background sits the old jail. Blackwell said a judge ordered Korf to paint a picture for the courthouse after Jim ran afoul of the law, and this is what Korf brought back to pay his fine. It sits in the courthouse today and brings a smile to everyone’s face who sees it. It might be the finest payment for a minor infraction any county has ever received.
Above: Korf painted this picture of longtime Gunflint Lodge fishing guide Dennis Todd, who was famous for jumping out of a boat and riding on the back of a swimming moose. Left: How irritating can a chipmunk be? Ask this bear. Korf was famous for painting outdoor scenes, injecting humor into many of them. Below: Who is the pinstriped jailbird? Many think Korf meant it to be a self-portrait. This much-loved picture hangs in the courthouse.
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