What can you do with a 500mm lens? I found this guy standing on the foot path around Purgatory Creek in Eden Prairie and just had to take his picture. I hope he’s as happy with it as I am.

New Website!

I finished another website this week, it’s called The Wonder of Oil Painting. Mark Saenger is an art teacher and artist who has studied with a bunch of other great painters including the venerable Bob Ross. Remember the friendly Mister Rogers-like painter on PBS with the afro who painted happy trees? Yep, him. Mark’s site has video samples of his new over 6 hour instructional DVD set that teaches oil painting using the wet-on-wet technique. Mark’s a real great guy, friendly and approachable, he can make even the most timid painter relaxed and comfortable with this challenging art form. Pop over to his site and check out the video cuts from his DVDs and you’ll see. While we were trying out different video sharing sites, within a couple of days his video had over 3000 views on Metacafe.com and we didn’t even promote it!

Mark found me through the work I did for Joe Paquet. I built a site for him a few years ago and have recently redesigned it to fit his evolving style and ever-expanding content. I know I sound like a designer selling his wares when I say this, but a site should be redesigned or at least reworked every two to three years to stay fresh and take advantage on new technologies and techniques. I specialize on creating sites that naturally rank high on Google - search for “Mitch USA” sometime and you’ll see what I mean.

Joe is becoming quite the celebrity in the art world; I’ve added a few articles to his website that appeared in the Villager and the California Art club.

While I was at the Science Museum to see the Star Wars exhibit, I caught a glimpse from above of the Earth.

Minneapolis Photographer Mitch Rossow shares daily photos of the city he loves. Exploring Minneapolis through Photography while teaching composition and techniques.

In the early morning light, I found a European Starling perched upon a fence above me. No, that’s not a misplaced modifier, the fence was above me, it’s part of a pedestrian bridge over the railroad and city dumping ground just north of 394 by Dunwoody.

The height of summer is past, the sun now rises later and later. I’m writing this morning from the seat of power in Caribou Coffee. I’m test-driving my winter schedule: arriving at Caribou as they open, waiting at the door like a tomcat back from a night of yowling at the moon.

In the winter the sun can wait ’til eight before rearing it’s shiny head. This kind of oppressive environment, like the Soviet Union of yore, can inspire an over-caffeinated mind to great heights. So as winter approaches, though photography opportunities diminish, my writing should hopefully pick up the slack.

I found an amazing cartoon that fits my humor and it spectacularly drawn; Kisaloo. It’s best to start from the beginning, so follow this link to the first cartoon. Thanks to my friend Paul for letting me know about it.

Professional Minneapolis Photographer Mitch Rossow shares daily photos of the city he loves. Exploring Minneapolis through Photography while teaching composition and techniques.

Golden sunlight splashes over the marsh grasses. Another beautiful moment along the Cedar Corridor Bike Trail.

Professional Minneapolis Photographer Mitch Rossow shares daily photos of the city he loves. Exploring Minneapolis through Photography while teaching composition and techniques.

A close-up of the Garden Nymph in the center fountain at the Como Conservatory in St. Paul.

Professional Minneapolis Photographer Mitch Rossow shares daily photos of the city he loves. Exploring Minneapolis through Photography while teaching composition and techniques.

Window washers climb skyward in St. Paul.

Professional Minneapolis Photographer Mitch Rossow shares daily photos of the city he loves. Exploring Minneapolis through Photography while teaching composition and techniques.

Here’s a rose from the Lyndale Park Rose Garden on the Northeast shore of Lake Harriet, Minneapolis in yesterday’s post.

I know flowers and sunsets are like puppies and kittens, but I had to share this one. It had rained over night and the raindrops were perfect!

Stay tuned, more infrared photos tomorrow!