Jon Fasanelli-Cawelti lives in Muscatine, where he works as a printmaker. Learn more about him here and here.
He gave the best program Tuesday the Muscatine Kiwanis Club has had in a long time, talking about his career and his art.
Jon epitomizes something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately — creative people who are doing really neat things that few others seem to know much about in Muscatine even though what these people do may be widely known elsewhere. He’s not alone. There are other people who are trying to make Muscatine a neater place. I can’t help but wonder how neat Muscatine could become if it could harness all of this creativity and somehow capitalize on it.
Jon engraves copper plates to make intaglio prints — a technology that is at least 600 years old. He has carved out a great life, working in a studio overlooking the Mississippi River in Muscatine and showing and selling his art around the world.
It’s enough to make me think I need to start drawing and painting again or shooting more photos. There have been too many times lately when I said: “I should have brought my camera with me.”
I just need to start carrying it with me all of the time. It would have helped me take a better photo of Jon.
It’s time to end this because I’m rambling and don’t know where to go with it. And I need to head off to the Y and work on self-improvement of a different nature.
Enjoy your day.
Brome Hill 
I admire creative people. I have found myself looking for “creative” things to do lately. Unfortunately, I am not a very creative person. I feel the need to do it though, so who knows what I might come up with. My daughter is very creative-not sure where she got it. I am enjoying her creativity. Hopefully, it will inspire me!!
Danelle, you’re probably more creative than you think. But I think I know what you mean. I’m finding myself wanting to draw and/or paint again, which I haven’t done in a long time. I’ve been trying to write more with this blog. And from the sideline, I’ve watched one of our mutual friends learn to play the guitar — one of those things I’ve always wanted to do and never have. Another friend asked me awhile back if I wanted to be in an upcoming Pearl City Players production.
I’d love to do all of these things. I can’t seem to find the time.
I’ve always been a music “re”creator, but music is such an expressive thing that I feel creative. Five years ago I started working part time at an art gallery/framing shop that lets me be creative in a whole new way – love it!
Lori, anyone who can read music/play an instrument is creative in my book.
I had thought about trying the Pearly City Players productions as well. Time is a factor, though. Kid activities prevent me from being gone a couple of evening a week. I am going to do belly dancing, though. Not sure if that counts as creative. 🙂
Also thought about joining a community choir. I love to sing. Not great at it, but still like it!!!