DriftlessWisconsin: Hoarfrost Winter Creek copyright by Linda Fry Kenzle

The Paintings of the Driftless

Five years ago I was drawn back to my homestate. Here, in a little-known region of Wisconsin, I discovered a land that left me breathless.

In the SW section of the state along the Mississippi River and inland for 30 or so miles you will find the Driftless Region. Driftless, a geological term, referring to an area untouched by the two huge glaciers that once covered most of Wisconsin.

You can feel the primal roar in the soaring bluffs rich in hardwoods and pine. Deep in the coulee valley sectors crystal trout streams embroider the landscape.

Fierce winds blow on the ridgetops where I live. The inky nights are filled with more glittery stars than anyone can imagine. Perhaps they light the way for the bounty of wild animals who forage after dusk settles in.

It is a wondrous area where people are rarer than dairy cows, beef cattle, and purebred horses.

There are bounties of ticks and hordes of snakes here too so you may not necessarily be up to the task of actually camping out here.

I am learning.

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In 2009 I was diagnosed with cancer. Upon my recovery I needed to get "medical world" out of my head and reattach to planet earth, so I painted.

These are my genus loci, Spirit of Place, Paintings. In total there are 35+ intimate scenes captured throughout the year following my cancer treatment. I hope they give you a glimpse of the Driftless Region.

(If you are familiar with my work you will notice a huge departure from my usual style. I can't believe I actually used 000 brushes to paint a 1" cow! I guess recovery had me noticing those often overlooked details.)

The BluffLands Rural Experiment.

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Contact if you would like to see more:kenzle@live.com

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Hoarfrost Winter Creek copyright by Linda Fry Kenzle