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In creating driftwood animal sculptures, something that brings me joy, I intend to share with you a smile, an inspiration, and a moment of childhood reminiscence. Come with me on a treasure hunt as I seek just the right driftwood pieces to rescue to life.
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Lakeshore Drive bends and turns around the basin connecting the Moose Horn River to the Moose Head Lake in the small town of Moose Lake, population 2,700. Facing the lake with a view of the sunrise on the back third of an expansive front yard is a remodeled one story 1940's ranch home with an art studio addition in the back with a hand-painted sign over the door which reads ‘Lake Place Gallery.’
Jennifer Szczyrbak, sculptor, painter and scribbler, as she describes herself, has an art studio in lieu of a breezeway attaching the back of the house to the garage. The entryway to her studio is a conglomeration of bench, baskets filled with hats and gloves and umbrellas, an array of shoes, an occasional fishing rod or two and hooks for jackets that don’t always get hung. Upon entering, one realizes this is a family home first, an art studio second. Over the last 31 years, Jennifer and her husband Kevin have cared for many children including their own four, three of which are now grown and married adding daughters, sons and grandchilden to the fold. Jennifer, having a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from UWSuperior, intended on becoming a freelance artist from the day she graduated. She was in small galleries, art fairs, and even held an individual art show in her community. Once family took precedent, she set her art career on the back-burner but never let the fire go out. To make ends meet, she started a home daycare and eventually became a licensed foster-care provider. She and her husband parented just under 30 teen boys in 12 years and found the job of opening their home and sharing their family to be both heart-warming and heart-breaking. Jennifer stayed busy with kids, but also took advantage of every moment she could to keep her creativity alive. She would often sacrifice sleep working on art in the undisturbed quiet of the late evening hours. Over the years, she managed to complete many pieces of art. Her emphasis in college was painting and her studio walls are filled with brightly colored and some highly textured paintings that reflect her love of gardening. Making sculptures is her favorite medium. Driftwood overflows out of plastic tubs that line the walls of her studio. It is scattered on the floor and on the tables. Driftwood has added a nice complementary touch to her vibrant paintings with it's many neutral variations. Driftwood as a medium was a blessed discovery in 2005. Kevin and Jennifer hired a sitter for the kids and took an afternoon get-away walking along the beach of Lake Superior. It was there that Jennifer found a large piece of water-logged wood that she insisted would look “just perfect” in her flower garden. Her husband with an "As you wish" frame of mind told her to "Wait here" while he carried it over a mile back to the car. Anticipating his return for what grew into a long time, Jennifer began noticing the many small pieces of driftwood scattered on the shore and marveled at all the different shapes and textures. One resembled a moose snout, another antlers, and so she became inspired to make a little moose right there in the sand before he returned. Upon seeing the small moose, Kevin was greatly impressed and encouraged her to bring it home to showcase in an upcoming art studio tour. The driftwood moose was well received! She decided to continue playing with the intriguing washed up sticks and has made over 175 large and small driftwood creations ever since. Jennifer participated in the art studio tour for five years. The exposure gained her recognition from the local newspaper. Word soon spread and Fox 21 News out of Duluth came to see her studio, Cabin Life featured her art in their magazine and then The Playlist, Minnesota Bound, Finding Minnesota and The Lift all came by to do more extensive stories on Jennifer’s driftwood art. As the children have grown up, and the house on Lakeshore Drive has become less active, Jennifer has broadened her range by exploring other opportunities where she can show her work. Besides her online gallery, Jennifer is now featured at The Dow Art Gallery in St. Paul and Smith and Trade Mercantile in Stillwater, MN. *Lake Place Gallery in Moose Lake is only open upon advance request. Jennifer's gallery has transformed into a working studio. Catch her on the right day and she may be there, but better yet please message ahead via the contact form on this website so she can prepare for your visit. Thank you! [email protected]
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As seen on TV:
~The Playlist ~Minnesota Bound ~Due North Outdoors ~Finding Minnesota ~The Lift ~Minnesota Live A feature on the Autumn Winds Tour!
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