Welcome to our benefit blog!!
On this blog we will be posting items up for auction at the upcoming benefit on October 17th, 2009. The benefit will include a CHILI COOK-OFF from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Several teams will be competing for the title of CHILI CHAMP!! Please come and join us at the Historical Society Gym to taste each chili, cast your vote, enjoy a bowl full of your favorite chili and when you are done eating...do some early Christmas shopping. The cost for the meal is $6.00. A silent auction will be running during the dining period followed by a live auction at 7:30. Between now and October 17th, we will continue to add photos of donations that will be sold at auction. PLEASE CHECK BACK FREQUENTLY! YOU MAY PLACE A BID ON AN ITEM BY EMAIL. SEND ME YOUR HIGHEST BID AT THE EMAIL LISTED BELOW. I WILL CONFIRM YOUR BID AND LET YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE HIGHEST BIDDER. ONLINE/EMAIL BIDDING WILL END AT 12:00 NOON OCT 17TH. ALL ITEMS WILL CONTINUE TO BE UP FOR AUCTION IN PERSON AT THE BENEFIT UNTIL 7:30 PM. If you have questions about any item, or would like to place a bid, please email me at quinnjustman.benefit@gmail.com

Artwork from North Dakota Artist Anna Jacobson

Anna Jacobson is another North Dakota artist who has donated a few pieces of her work for the benefit. Anna is currently working on a MFA degree through the University of North Dakota. Raised on a farm in northern North Dakota, rural life and the landscape are central to her work across mediums. Here Anna has offered 3 prints. The first, listed as an artist proof (AP) and is roughly 25 x 12.5. The second, Magnificent Katie is 5.5 x 8 and is numbered 6 of 6. The third print, titled "Home on the Plains," is 20 x 15.5 and is numbered at 2/8.

Anna's artist statement: " Being from the flat plains of rural North Dakota, I have learned the value of the simple beauty. My work is not filled with complex details. I focus on the textures and line of the landscape around me. I grew up on a small family-owned organic farm. The family farm lifestyle and the fundamentals of organic farming have been ingrained in me by parents and are thus the basis of my work. Organic farming is a process that works with nature’s cycles. It is a holistic management of the land, which ideally ensures that the land and the animals on that land can support each other for generations. The family farm is where I learned the value of nature – from the biology lessons with animals to studying astronomy by watching the constellations in the star-scattered sky. Growing up in such an unconventional lifestyle found its voice in the imagery and process of my work."

Artwork from North Dakota Artist Jessica Christy

Jessica Christy is a native North Dakotan currently working on her MFA through the University of North Dakota. She is focusing her studies in printmaking and plans to complete the program in December of 2010.

"Currently my work has geared focus on the vast desolation of the prairie; an area viewed by outsiders as a negative space, but those in the heart embrace as home. It is also an area that holds great contradiction within its boundaries. I use this setting to comment on the culture of the prairie. The culture of the farm, of the land, of the native, and of those reluctant to stay. This blend creates a destitute result, one that leaves an open space; much like that of the prairie."

These lithographic images range in sizes. The first is roughly 23 x 18 and is listed as a printers proof (P.P.). The second is 7 x 5 and is listed at an artist proof (A.P.). The third is 15 x 21 and is listed as an artist proof (A.P.).

Child's Quilt

This is such a fun brightly colored child's size quilt!

Quilted Wallhangings

These great wall hangings were created by a friend of Quinn's sister Angie Justman of Green Bay, WI. They will be sold seperately.

Orchid Print - Adrienne Justman

This is a signed and numbered print by Adrienne Justman. The monotype print measures 4"x12". It is numbered 1 of 1. It is being sold unmatted and unframed.

Flag Shadow Box

This beautiful shadow box is made for the state quarters issued by the US Mint. It is made of oak with an actual US flag in the background. The photo is a finished box. You will be purchasing an unfinished box with instructions for inserting your own state quarters.

Andy Christensen

This set of two painting was done by a college friend of Quinn and Adrienne, Andy Christensen. The paintings are vrey textural and are each 17"x30.5". They are not framed, as the artist intended for them to be hung with the rough unfinished edges showing.

Quinn's Prints

These are all prints that Quinn has done.

The top image, Flying Pig, is a woodcut and is numbered and signed by Quinn. It measures 22"x30". It is numbered 2 of4.

The center print is a lithograph. It measures 10x17" and is signed on the back. It is an artists proof, so it is not numbered.

The image at the bottom is a linolium cut print. It measures approximately 10"x17" and is numbered 2 of 8. It also is signed.

All prints will be sold unmatted and unframed.

They will be up for auction on October 17th, 2009.

Adrienne's Prints

These two images are prints that Adrienne Justman did following our trip to New Mexico. The prints are of the white sand dunes at sunset in White Sands National Park.

Each print is numbered and signed. The top print is numbered 3 of 5, the bottom is numbered 3 of 6. The dimensions of each print are approximately 13.5x22. These are unmatted and unframed.

T-shirts

This image will be on a T-shirt that we will be selling at the benefit on Saturday, the 17th of October. The diver is a sketch that Quinn enjoyed doing through-out college and one that we wanted to share with all of you. The phrase is a sentiment that Quinn feels strongly about as this battle involves not only him, but many that have come before and will come after.

Part of the proceeds from the sale of these t-shirts will be donated to brain cancer research at the Mayo Clinic.

Please support Brain Cancer Research! We need to find a cure!

Andrea Grossmann

There is a $50.00 bid on the pink 'Giant Dandilion'

There is a $50.00 bid on the blue 'Giant Dandilion'

These photographs are from Andrea Grossmann, an Orange City, Iowa, artist who specializes in low light photography and special lighting effects. These photos are 8 x 10 low-light photographs. They are framed in white 4" mat and a 1.5" black frames. Andrea writes, " It is a "giant dandelion" that Aubrey picked for me. I use a special lighting technique to give it a surreal effect." It is printed on professional metallic paper.