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Jeremy Simonson

@lean2studio

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This is my scrapbook of photos, landscapes, travel and minimal moments. Captures of my life.
Photography @lean2studio
Prints @studio_176_gallery

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Woods/Water: Entwined
September through October at MacRostie Art Center
Photography by Jeremy Simonson & Basket Weaving by Shannon Lucas Westrum
Opening Reception: Friday, September 6, 2024, 4-7 PM

Join us for a unique exploration of nature’s beauty and craftsmanship!

Jeremy Simonson presents his photographic series inspired by the ever-changing waters of northern Minnesota. Living near various bodies of water, including the headwaters of the Mississippi River, Fishhook River, and Strawberry Lake, Jeremy has been captivated by water’s pure essence. His images reflect its shifting moods, vibrant colors, and the magical play of light that has become central to his creative journey.

Jeremy’s connection to water began in his youth but took on new depth around 2014 while working on Man Trap Lake near Park Rapids, MN. During evening walks along the shoreline, he became mesmerized by water’s reflective and transformative nature. This meditative experience inspired him to capture the water’s beauty, creating photographs that blend reality with an artistic vision.

Each piece in this exhibition embodies Jeremy’s deep connection to the landscape. Through his lens, water becomes more than a subject—it’s a medium of reflection, transformation, and presence. His work aims to convey the ethereal beauty of water and its profound connection to the human spirit. Jeremy invites you to experience the serenity and wonder of water, encouraging a deeper appreciation for this vital resource.

Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in this evocative exhibition and witness the delicate balance between reality and artistic expression.

We look forward to welcoming you! by @lean2studio

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2 years ago

Happy New Year everyone!
I thought I would start 2022 with a look back at a few of my favorite images from 2021. Here’s to another year of growth and exploration!

#landscapes #waterscapes #photography #photooftheyear #landscapephotography #naturephotography #inspiration #growth #exploration by @lean2studio

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5 years ago

Underwater - SUMMER 2020

Photography
by Jeremy Simonson

Up through the month of July at Studio 176, Park Rapids, MN.

Reception July 3rd 3:00-6:00 by @lean2studio

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5 years ago

Artist at Work!

The "Heartland Portraits" exhibition has been extended to Saturday, March 21st! On view at the Armory Art & Events Center Gallery.
To celebrate, here are a few images of the four artists displayed busy at work in their home studios.
📷 By Jeremy Simonson by @lean2studio

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8 months ago

Artist: Tiffany Besonen
Heartland Portraits by Jeremy Simonson

The studio portrait session marks the final step in Tiffany’s Heartland Portraits process. After conversation and time spent in her working environment, the portrait becomes a distilled moment—an opportunity to reflect the presence behind the practice. She brought with her a wire sculpture of a pear, which I later learned through her writing holds deep familial meaning.
Tiffany wrote:
“Pears started in my work when expecting my first child. Now both ‘children’ are in college, and yet the intense connection remains tethered to my heart and gut. The process of creating these two- and three-dimensional works became a process of self-discovery. Who am I now? What forms with wool, wire, and a vintage box? What happens when the boxed forms are photographed, digitally altered, printed large, and drawn and painted upon? As I disconnect from distractions and the past, I connect to the present to form, reform, and form myself again.”

And that's a wrap on the first four artists in this long form project. I hope to see you at the Armory Arts and Event Center reception on Saturday from 1-3 PM, I would love to hear your feedback to take into future artists. by @lean2studio

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9 months ago

Artist - Paul Albright
Heartland Portraits by Jeremy Simonson

The studio portrait session brought the focus back to Paul himself, separate from the scale of the sculpture but deeply informed by it. After weeks of observing his process, the portrait became an opportunity to reflect on the qualities that guided his work: attentiveness, restraint, and a trust in intuition built through years of making.
While the studio offers a controlled environment, the goal is not to remove the physicality of Paul’s practice, but to distill it. Upon my request he brought several tools of the trade which were perfect to reflect the man, the artist, the sculptor. What emerges is not a depiction of the work, but of the person behind the work, who listens closely enough to know when a piece is complete.
In this final step, the portrait becomes a quiet acknowledgment of a sculptor shaped by material, time, and place—an artist whose work continues to inhabit the landscapes and communities of the Heartland. by @lean2studio

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9 months ago

Artist: Dawn Rossbach
Heartland Portraits by Jeremy Simonson

Two down, two to go.
This final portrait session with Dawn was a joy, and I’m really loving how these black-and-white images came together. There’s a quiet strength and clarity in them that feels true to who she is—both as an artist and a person.

It’s been an honor to spend this time with you, Dawn, and to connect through these portraits. I hope these images reflect even a small part of your spirit, artistry, and presence. by @lean2studio

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9 months ago

Heartland Portraits - Bickey Bender

Just finished editing Bickey Bender’s studio session. I’m really pleased with the range of expressions we captured—each one revealing a different facet of a wonderfully complex subject. It’s sessions like these that get me excited about this project. Thank you for being part of this project Bickey! by @lean2studio

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9 months ago

Heartland Portraits
Paul Albright — Sculptor & Artist
I had the pleasure of returning to Paul Albright’s studio in the woods to document the completion of his Trumpeter Swan sculpture, now installed at Cedar Swan in Nevis, MN. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves on this one—but I can say that, aside from a studio portrait, I think Paul’s work here is done.
I’ll leave you with a favorite quote from Andy Warhol:
“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” — Andy Warhol
Heartland Portraits is my ongoing photographic project documenting the lives, stories, and creative spaces of culture bearers and artisans in the Heartland Lakes region of Minnesota.
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Jeremy Simonson is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. by @lean2studio

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a year ago

Heartland Portraits — Tiffany Besonen

MAKE IT HAPPEN — A reminder to take action, stay determined, and put in the effort needed to bring goals and projects to life. I thought this was the perfect message for another inspiring visit to Tiffany’s studio. Thanks for the inspiration!

Heartland Portraits is my ongoing photographic project documenting the lives, stories, and creative spaces of culture bearers and artisans in the Heartland Lakes region of Minnesota.

During this visit, I had the pleasure of photographing Tiffany as she worked on her assemblage sculptures, and I captured a few portraits of her surrounded by her current pieces.

Assemblage is a three-dimensional art form that brings together found objects and unconventional materials to create new works. Much like collage in two dimensions, assemblage transforms scraps of wood, metal, textiles, or discarded objects into unified compositions. The resulting pieces often carry layered meanings—reflecting both personal experiences and broader social contexts—while also embracing sustainability by repurposing materials that might otherwise be overlooked. by @lean2studio

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a year ago

The Heartland Portraits - Artist living and working in the Heartland Lakes region of Minnesota.

Bickey Bender — Watercolor & Handmade Paper Artist

Pictured here in her home studio just before our video interview, Bickey is not only a talented artist but also a teacher, mentor, and advocate who has shaped the art scene in our region for decades.
Bickey taught art in Bismarck, ND, as well as in Fargo Public and Catholic Elementary Schools. She was a member of Gallery 4 in Fargo for 21 years, co-founded the Blank Canvas Gallery in Park Rapids, and is now a member of Studio 176. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Bickey for over ten years, and her generosity, knowledge, and encouragement have made a lasting impact on me personally and on so many others in our community.
Bickey writes:
“My work reflects my fascination with the simple pleasures of everyday life. A bird, an old building, a texture — all conjure for me the joy inherent in the basic things of our world. And while exotic locales may appear in my canvases from time to time, it’s the richness of my modest childhood in rural North Dakota that ultimately informs my work.”
Her rural North Dakota upbringing sparked a lifelong appreciation for the beauty of the prairie and the need to create. While watercolor and handmade paper remain central to her practice, Bickey also explores acrylics, photography, and mixed media — even painting buildings with her own handmade paper incorporated.
Bickey embodies both artistry and mentorship, making her an invaluable voice in the Heartland Arts community. And a perfect subject for this project, stay tuned for more on Bickey Bender.

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Jeremy Simonson is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. by @lean2studio

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a year ago

Heartland Portraits
Paul Albright — Sculptor & Artist
Meet Paul Albright, the third artist featured in my Heartland Lakes Portrait series. Photographed here in his outdoor studio nestled between Akeley and Nevis, Paul is at work on a swan sculpture for Cedar Swan in Nevis. After our video interview, I knew I had to return to capture his creative process in this inspiring woodland setting.
I first discovered Paul’s work at Art Leap shortly after moving to the Heartland Lakes area. Since 2006, Art Leap has introduced regional artists to visitors curious about their artwork, their process, and the ways they draw inspiration from our natural surroundings. I’ve followed Paul’s work ever since.
Paul’s sculptures range in scale from delicate to monumental. While he feels most relaxed working on large sculptures, his true passion lies in relief carving—figures and patterns carved into flat wood surfaces. His tools include everything from chainsaws, chisels, mallets, sanders, and grinders, to pneumatic tools. Though he enjoys hand carving, he admits it takes a toll on the body. A lifelong maker, Paul even fabricates some of his own tools, a skill rooted in his upbringing on the family farm.
Beyond tools, the wood itself is essential. Paul recommends white cedar for outdoor works, thanks to its natural resistance to insects and rot, but his favorite to carve is butternut, a softer cousin to black walnut.
You can find Paul’s sculptures featured in outdoor exhibitions and sculpture walks in Bemidji, Delano, and Park Rapids. He also shares his knowledge by teaching carving classes at Cedar Swan in Nevis, a new wood shop that showcases products from local artisans.
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Jeremy Simonson is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. by @lean2studio

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a year ago