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Field Notes

Octagon Center for the Arts, Ames, IA, June 2018

This solo exhibition featured large and small abstract landscape paintings of Northwest Iowa.

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Fresh studio views and inspiration. Follow me on IG.

Sometimes an object is an invitation to try someth

Sometimes an object is an invitation to try something a little different…

All Roads Lead To
acrylic on panel, mounted in found salvaged screen door that had been cut - and features original paint.

A little history with familiar views.

Find it at @rehfelds.modern in Sioux Falls.

County Views, 40” x 40” oil on canvas. Available.

County Views, 40” x 40” oil on canvas. Available.

Views from a Cessna 140 over Northwest Iowa. So many painting ideas from around 800-1200 feet up.

#aerial #cessna #moderninterior #abstractlandscapes

I had a FABULOUS time in Ames last week - it’s mor

I had a FABULOUS time in Ames last week - it’s more than the art, it’s getting a chance to make new friends and to see treasured old friends year after year -

…and the highlight is when they decide to make one part of their home! Thanks, @adamsfamrealty ! ❤️

Another highlight - winning an award amongst such a fantastic roster of artists and makers - what an honor!

To all who make the @octagon_arts festival possible: it’s always a joy to show in Ames, meet those who enjoy it, and view such incredible work happening in the Midwest. Thanks, Ames!

In Ames for the Octagon Arts Festival organized by

In Ames for the Octagon Arts Festival organized by @octagon_arts - and so many great artists to see (I’ve found a few one-of-a-kind finds to bring home already!)

If you’re in the area, stop on by! We are here today ‘til 4 🎨

🔴 Chasing Sun: From Holly’s Garden A plein air e

🔴 Chasing Sun: From Holly’s Garden

A plein air event in Okoboji sent me outside to study light, and a dear friend brought me this bouquet from her garden. An old frame snagged at a vintage market last fall @themilfordschoolhouse gave the excuse to “go big” - cutting a piece to fit this old frame with its lovely flaws and exposed foundation.

I battled bees and no-see-ums, and finally put brushes down when my spot went completely shady. Added the frame and brought to the gallery.

One more addition happened there - a red dot - SOLD. An absolute happy moment. Congrats to the buyer on this painting, who snagged such a special piece to me - picking those brushes up once again and demonstrating where fun (and a little bit of focus!) can collide.

#pleinairpainting
#floralstilllife
#vintage
#okoboji
#sunflower

We all have our favorite teacher. Let me tell you

We all have our favorite teacher. Let me tell you about mine.

After all, I feel I can’t post about my art without acknowledging my FAVORITE art teacher—my dad, John Clouse.

We lost him on August 16.

He was my K–12 art teacher, and always my teacher after that. I followed in his footsteps, studying art at @iowalakescc and @nwmostate Northwest Missouri State University. He continued to inspire and support so many of my art projects and ideas, including my work at the Pearson Lakes Art Center.

He was an extraordinary teacher. One year, a collaborative piece created by his students raised $6,000 for programming at our nonprofit art center. I’ll never forget telling him how much it sold for—and the joy in his voice as he shared the news with the students during a special assembly.

What their ART had accomplished. This was one of many projects he was part of.

I miss him more than I can say.

Here is our first collaboration, from March 1988. ❤️ He made the bird, and I made the nest. He let me make the marks on the wings. I wasn’t quite in school yet, but I vividly remember working with clay in his art room, surrounded by high school students making their own projects.

That was the magic of K–12 schools: little kids shared art-making spaces with the big kids. We got to try ceramics, metalsmithing, painting, drawing, and even darkroom photography—all because of Mr. Clouse.

How lucky was I to have my favorite art teacher every year? ❤️

Love you, Dad. Miss you. Thank you for sharing your love of art with me and so many others.

(Last photo - dad with my daughter, Abby, at her art show.)

….and now, I feel like I can get back to painting. If you made it this far, thanks for reading. ❤️

© 2021 Danielle Clouse Gast. Website by Blue Lake Websites

All artwork is the sole property of Danielle Clouse Gast, and held under copyright, even after purchase. The images and content of this website may not be copied or used without written permission from the artist.