Travis Novitsky caught this "Tornado Cloud" over the Grand Marais Harbor recently.

Photographer Travis Novitsky never goes anywhere without his camera — thank goodness.

Travis Novitsky

Because of this and his consummate skill, we can enjoy images like “Tornado Cloud, “above, which he shot at the perfect sunset moment when he was in Grand Marais recently. He has a Web site that is truly extraordinary (click here). He also has taken some incredible videos of everything from waves crashing on the Oregon’s Pacific coast to hungry wolf pups in Grand Portage. (To see, click here.)

Novitsky is one of six photographers who will be showing their work at the Johnson Heritage Post in the exhibit “North Shore Photographers” which opens Friday, March 5.

Photo by Don Davison

(Click on the name to visit their Web sites.) Don Davison, Bruce Johnson, Roger Nordstrom, Paul Sundberg and Becky Prentis will all be showing work, but there could be more. The exhibit is still being developed.

Novitsky is pretty busy these days. PBS’ “Native Report” which is aired on WDSE-TV on Thursday nights, plans to do a segment on his work by “shadowing” him when he goes out to take photos as well as doing an interview. He’s also working on two self-published books, which should be really spectacular. One will feature the images he took on a recent trip to the West, the other will be “sort of a portfolio of the past 5 years,” he wrote in a recent e-mail. ” I will include notes/stories about each image in the book, as well as provide technical information (re: camera settings) for each image.”

One of his images has been selected for the cover of Andrew Slade’s new book, “Hiking the North Shore.” So look forward to that, too.

We received lots of interesting images this week as well as Web site addresses. For example, Tom Voss has uploaded some fascinating images of winter on the North Shore. Check them out here.

If you want to feel hot for a moment or too, check out these spherical images of landscapes in the Southwest. Take a look.

"White Pine Twist One," by LightChase Photography

Photographers John and Sallie Carlson are currently showing their northern lights photos at the Coho Cafe in Tofte. They really have extraordinary images. To see more, click here.

And if you want to read a fascinating account on the process of building a house on the North Shore, check out David Demmer’s new blog. He and his wife, Amy, have just purchased a parcel of land and we follow David as he starts the long process of building his own. He’s a geologist and his analysis of the land and his plans for it are just great. Check it out here.

Cloud Cult plays at Papa Charlie's on Saturday, Feb. 6.

At the beginning of this post, we were talking about clouds, and there’s more about this subject. Cloud Cult, a nationally-acclaimed indie “green” band with a unique sound that ranges from electronic to folk to classical,  is on-stage at Papa Charlie’s this Saturday. at 9:30 p.m. The band, which has gained the attention fo the New York Times, MTV, Spin and Billboard boasts a devoted following of fans that love their music and their performance art. The full band (cello, violin, bass, drums) also includes two live painters who create during the performance and sell their work after the show. They’ve recorded a number of award-winning CDs. The latest is “Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes).” Jeff D. Johnson opens the show with a punchy acoustic set.

Also up this weekend, Bicycle Army plays at Papa Charlie’s on Friday night and the Pistol Whippin’ Party Penguins play at the Gunflint Tavern on both Friday and Saturday nights.

Joe Paulik plays the Moguls at Caribou Highlands from 3:30- 6 p.m. on Friday and comedian Steve Russell is on stage at Papa Charlie’s from 8-9 p.m. before Bicycle Army.

On Saturday,  Billy Johnson’s Roadshow plays the Apres Ski slot at Papa Charlie’s from 3:30-6 p.m.  and singer/songwriter Corey Carlson plays the main lobby at Lutsen Resort on Saturday from 7-10 p.m.

On Sunday, cellist Josh Aerie will perform at Bluefin Bay in Tofte at 7 p.m., James Moors plays at the Gunflint Tavern at 6:30 p.m. and Jim Shinners will present “Lake Superior’s Most Spectacular Shipwreck” at Caribou Highlands from 7-8 p.m.

Later next week, Michael Monroe performs at the Moondance Coffee House in Lutsen from 4-6 p.m. on Monday, James Moors plays at the Poplar River Pub at Lutsen Resort from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday and Pete Kavanaugh plays at Bluefin Bay from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb.. 10 from 7-9 p.m.

"Painted Turtle 2" by Liz Sivertson.

In other art news, Liz Sivertson and Dave Gilsvik have brought in new paintings to Sivertson Gallery, which has been undergoing a facelift to celebrate its 30th year.

And Kah Nee Tah Gallery in Lutsen has a new selection of Liztech jewelry with chrome, wire, and beads that will be perfect for Valentine’s Day. The gallery also has new agate floor lamps by Jim Pape.

Lutsen bronze sculptor Tom Christiansen has a new Web site. Check it out here. And Last Chance Gallery artist Anna Hess is painting a new series of whimsical table runners and mats.

Beryl Singleton Bissell has an article about the Grandlund home published in the Feb./March issue of Lake Superior Magazine. The title is:  “Sculpting a Beautiful Retreat: The Granlund Home is a Work of Generational Art.”

Photo by Jo Ann Krause.

Last, but not least,  a beautiful image of winter on the GunFlint Trail —  on a cloudless day  — was sent to us by JoAnn Krause. Enjoy.

Have a great weekend!

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