JUNE EDLEMAN NEWBURG
Born and raised on the plains of South Dakota, June Newburg has been pursuing her love of art since her college days. Growing up on a family ranch in Willow Lake, South Dakota, instilled in her a deep love and respect for the land as well as its rugged way of life. Character and integrity are etched into the faces of the portraits she has done of ranchers and farmers, many of them family members who are still actively involved in ranching today. The haunting beauty of the South Dakota landscape, the struggle against the elements during calving season, the joy of a rodeo barrel racer, the tranquility of a prairie flower, a decorated cow skull, the intricacy of a leather design on a boot, the simple beauty of a bale of hay — these are but a few of the subjects of Newburg’s paintings.
Basically a self-taught artist, Newburg has honed her natural talent through the practical application of brush to canvas. She entered many competitions, benefited from the constructive critiques of judges, and studied the work of other artists. Today she is a skilled artist who is most comfortable with the medium of oil but also works in both graphite and colored pencil. June has displayed in many regional competitions and is the winner of numerous “Best of Show” awards. She was the featured artist for the fall 2009 Watertown (SD) Art Festival. She was also featured at the “Spirit of Dakota” Event in Huron, SD in 2008 & 2011. Her colored pencil piece, “Amber Wings” was selected for the cover of the 2011 calendar produced by the Fond du Luth Casino of the Fond du Lac Native American tribe.
She has self-published offset lithographs and giclee’ prints of her work. Her original work can also be found in private collections from Ontario to Rio de Janeiro and many points in between in the United States as well as many European countries. Currently her work is on display at her home studio and gallery. Numerous exhibitions of her work have been staged in the Northern Plains region.
Newburg’s professional memberships include the Artists of Minnesota where she is a lifetime member, past president and a past member of the board of directors. This group was formerly known as Minnesota Rural Artists Association (MRAA). She is also a lifetime member and past president of Glacial Ridge Artists.
