TROLLEY TIME! Artwork by Patricia Hawkenson inspired by "The Clapping Song." (Submitted photos)

I spent three weeks creating a story on my easel with a set of 150 Luminance colored pencils. As usual, there’s a story to tell about it. This time, it’s a nod to the Eau Claire Trolley and “The Clapping Song” from Shirley Ellis, circa 1963. Surprisingly, a visitor from Italy stopped into Decadent Gifts and Gallery and sang it with me. We had a conversation about pencils and professional magazines, but left before we could talk all about that base: #90 vellum paper, to be precise. I feel a bit sad knowing she’ll travel back to Europe not knowing.

Not a world traveler, I’ve been following our local art scene for 11 years. I’ve discovered that we have accomplished artists whose art wins prestigious prizes and sells worldwide in galleries and online. Does our local community know?

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I’ve been following our local art scene for 11 years. I’ve discovered that we have accomplished artists whose art wins prestigious prizes and sells worldwide in galleries and online. Does our local community know?

PATRICIA HAWKENSON

eau claire artist

So, I’m working with Artfluence, a nonprofit organization providing connections between local artists and people who enjoy their work. Their first task is to create a database of local artists. Who are they? What do they create? What venues showcase their work? How do I contact them? This information should be readily available to anyone looking for a specific artist’s skill.

Working with Artfluence, Decadent Gifts and Gallery will be compiling an Artist Database. If you are an artist, or know someone who is, please stop down to our location at 329 Water St. (or decadentgift.com) and help build this valuable resource.

It will help everyone find amazing area artists like Raymond Kaselau (@ArtofRaymondKaselau on Facebook). He works with an unexpected but familiar base, cardboard – just like Edward Munch, who used a base of cardboard when creating his famous “The Scream.”

An example of Raymond Kaselau's cardboard-based artwork.

“Like Munch, I’ve found cardboard readily available and amazingly versatile. I consider myself an illustrator, painting to create textures. Combine this with my interest in dimensional forms, and you get painted sculptures that are lightweight for transporting and hanging. I started sourcing cardboard from appliance stores. This creative outlet led to participating in local art shows at Tangled Up in Hue, the Heyde Center, Banbury Art Crawl, and Volume One. I have created approximately 150 unique pieces and participated in many galleries and art fairs across Wisconsin. Many of my pieces are in hospitals, businesses, and personal collections across the country.”

If you’d like to explore creating with cardboard as your base, follow Raymond’s advice: “Layer to 1 inch minimum to build strength and reduce warping. Use small saws or X-Acto knives on a cutting mat. White glue or hot glue will work. Avoid packaging tape; paint doesn’t adhere to it. Google ‘paper mache’ for buying or making paste to create a paintable, strong surface. Paint in three or more layers. Try leftover house paint, craft paint, or spray paint. Seal with a brush or spray-on craft sealer to protect from moisture. When you get a package delivered, make something fun using the box. It’s cardboard, relax, experiment, and have fun!”