Into The Brush – Three Day Program June 4, 5 & 6

On By Red RockIn News Articles, Program EventsLeave a comment

Still seats available to for the Early June Class!  June 4-6

Learn To Paint - PagamiJoin Into The Brush for a 3 Day art program June 4-6.  Still some open seats available.

This program includes an “art observation/intentional looking” hike with fine art rock painting, glass, and canvas.

The 3-Day Art Program cost is $295 per person and provides 18 hours of painting instruction time, independent study, and all materials.

Program participants may stay in a housekeeping cabin right on the premises at Northwind Lodge for the reduced rate of $99.95 per night (applicable taxes not included) OR they may stay elsewhere and simply participate in the program.  Note that food and beverages are not provided.  Please bring along your favorites snacks and beverages.

So, call and sign up now for this Into The Brush class, today!  218-365-5489

For other Program Options, Click Here
To learn more about Northwind Lodge, Click Here

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Pagami wild fire Ely, MN

Pagami: Wildfire

On By Red RockIn News Articles, vacation specialsLeave a comment

Pagami – 16×20 acrylic on canvas by Joe Baltich.

The Pagami creek fire burned 110,000 acres of the BWCA and was so hot it spread 16 miles in 4 days. Ground zero was a lightning strike located on Pagami creek only about 1.5 miles southeast of my studio and resort. We weren’t entirely sure if we would have to escape with the clothes on our backs if the wind changed suddenly.  Over 600 firefighters fought it for months.  The day of the big wind, when the fire hit a large blow-down section from a prior storm 10 years earlier, the cloud of smoke and steam rose to 40,000 feet in about 15 minutes.  Then that cloud blew all the way to Milwaukee, WI, causing a blackout and major concern.  One of our vendors called from Milwaukee to see if we were still OK. NEVER want to do that again!

You, too and learn to paint in our art program here at Into The Brush!  Stay in your own housekeeping cabin, paint with Joe, go fishing on your own right on Jasper Lake, live among the trees and next to a babbling brook.  It’s is one of the greatest art experiences you could have and you don’t need to know how to paint.  Three different programs to choose.  Stay for the week, take a short program or a longer one.

Click Here to Find Out More!

 #artoftheday #gallery #paint#instaart #creative #artwork #painting #artist#inspiration #art #elymn #elymnart #joebaltich #fire#moose #abstractart

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Into The Brush Receives Community Award for S.O.U.L – 2017

On By Red RockIn News Articles, SOUL - Stones Of Uplifting LightLeave a comment

Into The Brush is honored to be recognized as the local winner of Minnesota’s Touchstone Energy Community Award  by Lake Country Power for its work with Stones Of Uplifting Light (SOUL) in providing emotional support for those who become unexpectedly terminally ill.   SOUL operations in April of 2017 as a new program designed to share art on stone with people who are suddenly in the final stages of their life by working with an intermediary (family member, friend, acquaintance, etc) to find out some details about the afflicted individual and a more joyous time in that person’s past.   Joe Baltich, lead SOUL artist,  then paints that moment on stone and sends the art to the individual.  No fees are charged for SOUL stones.  Donations to Into The Brush are accepted but not required.  SOUL recipients are generally not acquainted with SOUL artists and there is no contact between either party.  SOUL founder and artist, Joe Baltich wanted SOUL to represent the kindness of strangers through sharing art.  Although feedback has been non-existent (neither expected, encouraged, nor required)  from SOUL recipients, Into The Brush has been gratified to hear through a few intermediaries that the various recipients were very moved by the gesture-in-stone-art and their families also very appreciative of the lasting mementos.   A small, positive effect in a most difficult time is the goal all Into The Brush with SOUL.   If you know somebody who is having a rough time and faced with harsh realities, Into The Brush encourages you to contact them at intothebrush@gmail.com

Touchstone Energy Community Award
Into The Brush thanks Lake Country Power for their recognition of the SOUL program and is pleased to be a part of the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives!

Into The Brush NEWS!

On By Red RockIn Ely Winter Festival Event, Mobile Paint Party, News Articles, Programs, SOUL - Stones Of Uplifting Light, vacation specials, WelcomeLeave a comment

Get Started Here for 2018!

Into The Brush - Saving the Future of Wilderness - One Stroke at a Time

Into The Brush Painting Art Classes

Acrylics Wild – 2 day Art Class-In studio

During this 2 day class you will:

  •  Learn & apply basic painting techniques.
  •  Finish a painting on canvas.
  •  Relax in the beautiful surroundings of the northwoods.
  •  Have fun and be creative.

This Class will be held at Northwind Lodge located 15 miles northeast of Ely, MN, 2267 Fernberg Rd.   2 Day Program includes: 12 hours of instruction, all painting supplies, after-class independent painting time if desired, discount code for take-home supplies.  Meals not included.  Northwind Lodge housekeeping cabin guests are on their own.  Non-registered (in cabins – see below for rates) class participants may want to bring lunch.

ALL for $150 per person.

Acrylics Wild – 3 day Art Class-In Studio & Field Trip

During this 3 day class you will:

  •  Learn basic painting techniques and apply them to fun projects.
  •  Finish a painting.  Exposure to other surface painting.
  •  Relax in the beautiful surroundings of the northwoods.
  • Take an outdoor hike for artistic observations & inspiration.
  •  Have fun and be creative.

This Class will be held at Northwind Lodge located 15 miles northeast of Ely, MN, 2267 Fernberg Rd.   Price includes: 18 hours of instruction and all painting supplies, after-class independent painting time if desired, discount code for take-home supplies.  Meals not included.  Northwind Lodge housekeeping cabin guests are on their own.  Non-registered (in cabins – see below for rates) class participants may want to bring lunch.

ALL for $275 per person.

Acrylics Wild  – 4 day Art Class-In Studio & Field Trip

During this 4 day class you will:

  •  Learn basic painting techniques and apply them to fun projects.
  •  Finish a variety of paintings on different media.
  •  Relax in the beautiful surroundings of the northwoods.
  • Take a short canoe trip for artist observations & inspiration
  • Have fun and be creative.

This Class will be held at Northwind Lodge located 15 miles northeast of Ely, MN, 2267 Fernberg Rd.   Price includes: 24 hours of instruction and all painting supplies,after-class independent painting time if desired, discount code for take-home supplies.  Meals not included.  Northwind Lodge housekeeping cabin guests are on their own.  Non-registered (in cabins – see below for rates) class participants may want to bring lunch.

ALL for $375 per person.

Cabin Accommodations at discounted rates for art program participants  

Shared Accommodations Rates include –  one bedroom per person with all clean bed linens blankets included,  a shared kitchen/living space which included basic cooking/eating utensils, gas range, electric refrigerator, microwave,  shared bathroom with shower, toilet, lavatory.

Rate is $69.95 plus tax.

Private Accommodations

Private cabins may be available and priced for up to two people minimum depending upon cabin availability at the following rates/dates below.  Individuals may stay alone in a private cabin if available but the pricing for that cabin reflects up to 2 people at the rates in the box below.  So, a husband, friend or partner may want to come up and stay with his wife, but go fishing instead of being enrolled in the art class programming. OR, one person may want to stay in the cabin alone while taking art class programming.  For a total price, simply take the workshop price from above and add it to the the private cabin rate below with regard to the corresponding dates.   Note that at least one person per private cabin must be enrolled in a Art Class to qualify for these rates:  If you have a group of three or more, at your request, we can try to house you in the same cabin for the shared accommodations rates.

Rate is $99.95 plus tax

Taxes are not included in any of the above pricing.  The above rate is for 1 person taking the program. Boat and motor rentals are available.  You may also bring a private boat for a launch fee of $25.  Please ask about details.

A cabin stay is not required to participate in class programming but it is very convenient.  If staying off property, please be prompt in getting to classes and artist observation trips.

Deposit

For Housing/Workshop Packages, we require an advance deposit of 50% of the combined accommodation and/or workshop rates OR if you are only attending the classes, payment for the scheduled program is required in full.   Deposits are non-refundable.  The balance of your stay is required upon arrival.  Applicable MN state sales tax is not included (6.875%).  A regional lodging tax  of 3% will be charged additionally to the lodging portion of your invoice.  A 2% discount for cash or check payments is available.

 

Disclaimers:   Into The Brush, Inc. reserves the right to adjust/change/modify Into The Brush program information when deemed necessary to correct for typographical errors or omissions should they occur.  We also reserve the right to make scheduling adjustments for weather or safety and comfort concerns.  There is no refund for participants missing or failing to attend any part of the scheduled programming, nor will there be refunds of any kind for weather-related or other unplanned, unforeseen, cancellations of activities.  While it is our goal to provide a top quality enjoyable experience every time, Into The Brush, Inc. reserves the right to adjust or cancel any scheduling order for any reason.

 

Chickadee on Wineglass
Chickadee on Wineglass

Nice Article by Hometown Focus about SOUL

On By Red RockIn News ArticlesLeave a comment

Stones Of Uplifting Light was given some coverage today by Hometown Focus a regional paper read by many on the Iron Range!  We thank them for it!

Stones of Uplifting Light continue to be a work in progress

SOUL stone painted by Joe Baltich. Photo submitted.

SOUL stone painted by Joe Baltich. Photo submitted.ELY – In late April of 2017, Joe Baltich, CEO and head artist of Into The Brush, announced the formation of a new program within his educational non-profit, Into The Brush. This new program is a play on the kindness of strangers.

After hearing of a terminally ill mom who enjoyed a wilderness canoe trip near Ely, veteran wilderness artist Baltich, guided by empathy, decided that this complete stranger needed a pick-meup.

He sent her a finished work of art painted on a Lake Superior stone depicting a canoe in the Boundary Waters. It was both unannounced and free.

Later, he heard of little boy fighting leukemia and sent off another rock painting of  (read more here)

 

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Let’s Paint! Mobile Paint Party up and running!

On By Red RockIn Mobile Paint PartyLeave a comment

Into The Brush - Mobile Paint Party

Unleash your inner Picasso!   Host a paint party in your home!  With a group size of only four people or more, you can all be painting rocks for two hours of fun and something different to do!  All materials and instruction provided by Joe Baltich of Into The Brush.  This is a social/educational fun time for your family and friends.  Flexible scheduling is available so you can usually host a class during the day or evening plus on weekends.  Call to find a time that fits.   218-365-5489.  Please leave a message if we aren’t there.   Email: Intothebrush@gmail.com

 

Rates per 2 Hour Class per individual person:

4 Painter (minimum)

Rock Party:   $40         Canvas Party:  $45       Wineglass Party  $45

5-6 Painters 

Rock Party:   $37         Canvas Party:  $43        Wineglass Party  $43

7-8  Painters

Rock Party:     $33       Canvas Party:  $40      Wineglass Party  $40

10+ Painters

Rock Party:     $30       Canvas Party:  $38      Wineglass Party  $38

The Fine Print

$50 deposit is required at least three days prior to the event.   Deposits are applied to total cost.  Deposits are NOT refundable in the event of a party cancellation or for any other reason.   You CAN reschedule for a different date.   If a group size falls below the initial group reservation, the price will convert to the next lower group size price range.  In other words, if you made a Rock Party  reservation for  5 at the listed rate of $37 and only four show up to the event, the rate will go up to the 4 Painter rate of $40 each.   The minimum party price is Four (4) paying participants.

Serving the Ely Area – 55731 zip code 10 mile radius.  Call for mileage/travel rates beyond 10 miles from Ely.  

So, wanna do something really fun and creative in your home this week or month?  Give us a call and schedule a Mobile Paint Party by Into The Brush.

Guaranteed to be a great time!

WARNING:  Painting fine art can be addictive, plus therapeutic, relaxing, and immensely satisfying.  Don’t blame us if you find yourself wanting recommendations on what to buy and how to get started in painting on your own!  And this beats the absolute HECK out of adult coloring books!!!!

Call now!  218-365-5489 

Micro Art Classes are Producing Some Excellent Fine Art

On By Red RockIn News ArticlesLeave a comment

Lots of new-artists trying their hands at putting color to stone.   Despite very little painting experience, these students had a great time and turned out some very impressive works!  I enjoy teaching these classes, too!

Micro Art Classes

SOUL – Stones of Comfort and a Work in Progress

On By Red RockIn SOUL - Stones Of Uplifting LightLeave a comment

Well, it has now been about 3 months since I began SOUL (Stones of Uplifting Light).

In that time, I have sent out about 18+ stones in all directions.  Due to other work obligations, I have been lightly advertising my SOUL mission and picking up people here and there who are in a bad way.  I’ve also been wrestling with how to word my mission so as not to offend or hurt people’s feelings.  Since AI paint alone and I do want every stone I deliver to be my best possible work of art, I do have to narrow down the people for whom I can deliver stones.  Right now, I’ve had no problems delivering but I can see a time where a triage of sorts will be needed and I have to reserve the right to decide who gets what at the risk of hurting someone’s feelings which was never my plan nor intent.

I’ve also had to wrestle with the language I use to describe my mission.  For lack of a better term, since I really can’t solve the terminal condition of the people for whom I paint, I was hoping to “brighten” just a minute of their day because I have no power to do anything more. In discussions with friends and my wife, they felt that the term of simply “brightening” one’s day in the most difficult of times could be considered flippant – which again is not, and never was,  my intent.

Here I sit in front of my keyboard struggling with words that comfort, don’t offend, and explain my mission –  so, please accept my “work in progress”.    Someday, I’ll figure it all out.  Meanwhile, I will continue to paint.

The feedback I have been getting from those kind people who arrange rocks for their struggling friends has been most rewarding and a bit “emotionally wringing” for me.  So far, I’ve heard of a man who received a stone from me and held it for the final two days of his life.  His friends told me that they thought the stone brought him such comfort that he was able to pass.  At the service they held for him, next to his urn, they placed the stone.  I’ve found that these stones, because they have significant meaning to some of their recipients, are kept by the family as a bright memento, during a dark time.  I’ve also heard that some stones go with the person to their final resting place.   (This is bit “deep” for me and makes it hard for me to type.)  I jumped into SOUL with both feet and not really knowing what would happen.  I’ll be staying here for a long time, God willing.

Below is a collage of several of the stones I’ve painted.  Not all are present, but you can get an idea as to what brought different people comfort in their lives.  Please note, that I no longer offer stones with sports star/logo imagery due to potential copyright conflicts.  SOUL Stones are free to recipients.  No charge to family or friends.  Donations to Into The Brush (501 (c)(3) non-profit organization) are cherished but not required for a SOUL stone to be sent to a friend or loved one facing a terminal illness struggle.

For those interested in getting stones for others, please find out something that gave them comfort in their past.  A favorite place, an activity, etc.

SOUL Stone CollageComing Soon – SOUL Stone Online Application

Kayak on Lake Superior

Kayak on Lake Superior – SOUL

On By Red RockIn SOUL - Stones Of Uplifting LightLeave a comment

Just finished this Stone Of Uplifting Light and hoping it will bring some solace to a person who used to paddle Lake Superior in a home-built kayak.  I hope I hit the mark.  There’s a lot of guesswork in painting someone’s happier time in the past on a stone.

Kayak on Lake Superior
Kayak on Lake Superior – Split Rock Lighthouse

If you would like to donate to help others get SOUL stones (always free of charge), please check out our GoFundMe page:

gofundme button - SOUL

Donations by check are also welcomed:

Micro Art Classes – Ely Winter Festival 2017

On By Red RockIn Ely Winter Festival Event, ProgramsLeave a comment

Join senior artist Joe Baltich at Into The Brush for Micro Art Classes at Northwind Lodge.  Micro Art Classes are for people to see if this whole “painting thing” is achievable or not.  So far, I’m going with “Yup.” for the vast majority of people.

Each class is about 2 hours long and held at Northwind Lodge / Red Rock Wilderness Store on the Fernberg Road.  Paint a Lake Superior Rock in this “follower the leader” art class where you will get to test your skills and maybe discover a passion for painting.  All materials are provided including a Lake Superior rock, acrylic paints, brushes and instruction.  Learn basic brush handling skills and blending by simply doing.  It’s fun, mildly challenging,  and you get to take home a rock that should have more than one color on it by class end.

Cost is $35 per participant.  Recommended for ages 12 and up.  Reservations for seating are required.  Please call for availability 218-365-4512.  If you are all thumbs, please wear clothing that could get a little paint on them.  Don’t come in like a rented tux or anything like that.

Class times  

Sunday Feb 5 – 2:00PM

Tuesday Feb 7 – 2:00 PM

Thursday Feb 9 – 2:00 PM

Sunday Feb 12 – 2:00 PM

Have a private group of 2 or more who would like to paint during Ely Winterfest?  Give us a call for a custom time that fits your schedule.  We’re flexible!  218-365-4512

Micro Art Class Event is located at Northwind Lodge, 2267 Fernberg Rd., Ely MN 55731   CLICK HERE TO SEE IN Google Maps

into the brush micro art class
Dierdre V. with her work of art.
into the brush micro art class
Painting Glassware at Ely, MN
into the brush micro art class
Beautiful Sunsets
First time artist's work at Into The Brush
The work of a first-time artist!
Painted Rocks from Into The Brush Micro Classes
Painted Rocks – Into The Brush Micro Classes

Into The Brush is a non-profit program based at Northwind Lodge to help people learn to paint by discovering the wilderness of Ely, Minnesota.  Our goal is to introduce all walks of life to our wilderness through art education.  At program’s end, participants will have a developing new skill set, confidence, and a knowledge of the most beautiful place in the world called Ely Minnesota.  We hope to encourage you to participate in our regular summer programs and/or donate to help more people develop this life-long skill of painting beautiful things.  A “Donate” button is at the top of the page.   Your donation will go towards art equipment purchases and operating costs to run Into The Brush. 

   intothebrush2016@gmail.com