Russel J Dittmar

Welcome to the 2012 Art Season and Minnesota’s 2012 Governor’s Fishing Opener:

Celebrating Fishing and Art

For 22 years I created and ran a business called Lakemaps.  Lakemaps were plastic, contour maps of fishing lakes; they shortly became the industry standard. After producing maps for 3,000+ lakes, I needed a change.  In 1998, I sold my business and returned full-time to my passion of painting bringing my love of fishing (and the outdoors) with me.

In 2012 I now have the great pleasure of returning to my fishing roots and combining my two big passions – fishing and art. This year so far has been filled with surprise and wonder. I was contacted by Myron who had purchased several of my note cards at an art show in Brainerd, Minnesota.  He told me that he was in charge of the banquet tables for the up-coming Governor’s Fishing Opener at Lake Waconia. He said that he really liked my cards and asked if he could use them for the Governor’s Fishing Banquet.  Thus I am now honored to be an Official Gold Walleye Sponsor of Minnesota’s 2012 Governor’s Fishing Opener Lake Waconia.

In addition to fishing-themed note cards for each guest, I am creating 40 3-dimensional sculpted shoreline centerpieces specifically designed just for the Governor’s Fishing Opener banquet. I will display pictures of my “Sculpted Shores” after Mother’s Day, May 13, on this web site. Until then I’m sworn to secrecy.

In addition to the excitement of the Governor’s Fishing Opener, this season’s art shows have started to line up. Our first art show is at Excelsior on June 9 and 10. Be sure and check Upcoming Events for others. We look forward to meeting and greeting all of you then.

Russel J. Dittmar

A lot of you have asked me about the colors I use and how vivid they are. I have pondered this theory for a while, I think I have a reply.
The subject, and the impact of color on the subject, create and establishes the mood, which draws you in and engages your emotions each time you view it. I don’t really plan the colors, the colors basically control my decisions as to what is used or mixed next. It is not always automatic, sometimes it is. I have repainted several paintings to gain the
“right” look. Sometimes changing just one color can result in a complete makeover.
Creating Paintings is fun, there are times when the painting I am working on takes control and every thing just “happens”. This is definitely the sweet spot.