State Fair submission 2018

Sorry for the slow-down on the blog this week. I've been concentrating on a video project for our church, and video work is like a black hole for time.

Below is my submission to the Minnesota State Fair fine arts competition. Unfortunately, it didn’t make the cut. It is a composite image of a retired steam engine (on display in Cloquet, MN) placed in a rock-cut found between Gilbert and Virginia, MN that is now part of a bike path. The bit of railroad track you see is a separate photo taken down the street from our place here in Shoreview.

I had been planning for this image since the last time I had a piece accepted into the fair, two years ago. I thought it would be cool to see a locomotive running through this Iron Range landmark. I wish the rock face was more exposed, but it is much more overgrown than it was in my youth. I remember when it was a gravel trail and much less accessible before it became a part of the Mesabi trail system.

Back to the drawing board, I guess. At least I can finally share the image.

More photos of the kids are coming soon!