Minnesota Sketchbook: Whitewater By Lisa Loucks-Christenson
Photo: Illustration "Blue Jay Feather" sketched by Lisa Loucks-Christenson, is one of the sketches included in Minnesota Sketchbook: Whitewater Valley Photos, Comics, and Art By Lisa Loucks-Christenson. It won first place in an art contest where the contestants had to submit a piece of art that featured "Colour Blue" as the theme. © 2013, 2024 Lisa Loucks-Christenson.
ROCHESTER NATIVE, AN AWARD-WINNING AND BEST-SELLING WILDLIFE ARTIST OPENS BALLROOM BOOKSTORE AND FEMALE-OWNED ANIMATION STUDIO IN ODD FELLOWS BUILDING.
By: RSTN Staff
January 10, 2024 4:30 AM CST
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Rochester, Minnesota (Rochester Sun Times News™) ––Peacock Books & Wildlife Art, owned by Lisa Loucks-Christenson, unveiled her expanded ventures in her new space, a building with its own history. Loucks-Christenson transferred her under 1000 square foot bookstore to the ballroom suite of the Odd Fellows Building. She expanded the business by including her husband’s fudge, two clothing lines she owns, and jewelry and gifts from Savvy, a Stockholm, Wisconsin boutique she purchased in 2022. Loucks-Christenson had a gallery in Stockholm for several years before moving all of her operations back to Rochester.
In another suite by the bookstore, she’s opened her animation studio, Carpie Animation Studios. She is in the process of creating a new religious clay animation series for families, inspired by Davey and Goliath, by incorporating her own film footage, photos, clay, and stop motion techniques that she has previously employed in other animations.
This new series (name withheld) is an original series combining family life and pets, her love of the outdoors and wildlife, and her own faith. The episodes feature new stories she’s writing, and viewers will meet her award-winning characters from her other books in cameo appearances. Loucks-Christenson wanted to share her love for Jesus, and how God has helped her in her own life. She desires to offer others the chance to witness the beauty of faith. Like rays of hope, her animations depict moments of joy that overcome the darkness and clouds in our lives.
Despite numerous health challenges, including surviving sepsis twice, her husband’s cancer, setbacks, Covid, downtown traffic loss, building sales, and unexpected mold exposure, she held onto her unshakeable faith and trust in Jesus. Despite her belief in God being tested by challenging experiences, Lisa Loucks-Christenson’s Peacock Books & Wildlife Art opened on December 1, 2023, in a new location off the skyway. For the first time in years, her husband had the honor of unlocking the doors to a new future and suite that had previously housed an architectural firm in the second story of the Odd Fellows Building. Finally, the public can shop in a large new and used bookstore downtown that sells thousands of books from global publishers, including her own personalized children’s books and award-winning titles.
“I’ve waited decades for a space big enough to present the work I always have felt God has put on my heart to help others,” said Loucks-Christenson.
The store has consistently carried new releases, exclusive ebooks from her publishing house, collectible signed books, vintage books, and used books from other publishers. At this new destination, you have the option to purchase her husband’s fudge line (as showcased on QVC Television) that includes dozens of flavors made on a daily basis.
Loucks-Christenson said, “When my husband went through cancer, it shut him down in ways that I knew were on me to find a way to get him flying again. When you see my TEMPLE OF EAGLES exhibit, opening in 2024, know that the eagles I captured images of — sometimes soaring through their own storms — as I documented their daily life for over 14 years, has a purpose not only for my husband, but others too. Eagles represent hope and are often referred to as “messengers of heaven,” a pastor once told me that the eagles are mentioned at least 28 times in the bible."
Using a search feature on www.KingJamesBibleonline.org, there actually is a King James Version bible verse, one that has found wings that lift, but not, apparently, on their own, into the title of one of Loucks-Christenson’s upcoming books, 2010, Year Six Dancer and Daedee: ‘... I Have Lifted You On Eagles Wings And Brought You To Me.' Exodus19:4.”
Loucks-Christenson’s documentary spanned over 14 years, with over 3500 original days of coverage on her 13-mile outdoor beat that she’s making into episodes for her own original film collection called, The Lady of Whitewater series.
Among the many monikers she received, which changed for each of her documentaries, like “The Bug Lady” (during Winter Bugs!), “The Eagle Lady,” on her eagle project, and a hurtful one, “Town Joke” that spread as rumors do, as she delved into reporting and investigating wildlife crimes and incidents involving her own safety.
Loucks-Christenson recollects being called The Bug Lady and The Eagle Lady by the late Dick Schaber and his wife Linda, along with other individuals she visited while filming her documentary, but they now identify her as The Lady of Whitewater, which also serves as the title of her original series.
” When another company shut its doors a few weeks ago, I bought their candy case for my husband. Even the LED lights couldn’t illuminate the internal joy I witnessed. He has a candy counter now. Seeing his dream come true, rising above pain and setbacks, and soaring towards a new future fills me with pure joy—just like the eagles he witnessed when he accompanied me in the field,” said Loucks-Christenson.
“His journey has given hope to countless men facing the same battle,” said Loucks-Christenson.
Loucks-Christenson added, “We are a husband and wife team. We made an 80-year commitment to each other, of which we’ve already spent 33 years of it together, but we’re more than just a married couple who have faced challenges - we’re not only booksellers. Through prayer and our best efforts, we strive to offer hope to our customers.”
Lisa Loucks-Christenson has acquired more space to accommodate her offices and Carpie Animation Studios, where she is currently producing an undisclosed animation film involving clay, film, photo, and illustrations. In downtown Rochester, Minnesota. Loucks-Christenson is the first woman-owned animation studio in downtown Rochester, Minnesota. She funded it through her work and years of creating documentaries, and profits from her original art, cards, and books she sells in her store.
Exclusive screenings of Lisa Loucks-Christenson Films™ documentaries, her Square Eye: 50 Year History of Rochester History Book, and other films are scheduled to start at Peacock Books’ Gem Theatre in 2024.
Loucks-Christenson added a news desk for customers that want to support her self-funded, Rochester Sun Times News, an online news source, with printed versions coming in 2024. RSTN is her platform and extension of her storytelling and photography, covering human interest, local news, her syndicated comics, watchdog journalism, and exclusive interviews with her worldwide customers’ stories that walk through her doors. She hopes you’ll support her local ad-free journalism. She welcomes your story ideas, press releases, news and information, visits to the Rochester Sun Times News Desk inside Peacock Books.
When Lisa has free time, she dedicates it to studying her interests like the bible, art, writing, technology, criminal justice, wildlife, and the environment.
Peacock Books, Suite 203, can be reached by following the Skyways from Mayo Clinic and Breckenridge or going to the second floor from the street level. Their operating hours are Monday through Friday, and select Saturday’s, opening as early as 9AM but no later than 10AM, and closing at 5PM or later, depending on traffic. Their location is in the Historical Odd Fellows Building on the corner of 2nd Street and 1st Avenue SW.
Peacock Books & Wildlife Art by Lisa Loucks-Christenson, 23 2nd St. SW, Suite 203, Rochester, MN 55902. They can be reached at (888) 983-3085. www.PeacockBooksWildlifeArt.com.
Photo: Lisa Locks-Christenson’s Peacock Books and Her Original Characters from her comics, some syndicated, others sold exclusively at Peacock Books. © 2023 Lisa Loucks-Chriistenson.
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Photo: © 2008 David Christenson. Charlie Daniels was presented with a portrait of an eagle named "Daniels Charlie" by Lisa Loucks-Christenson in recognition of his accomplishments.
© 2021-2024 Lisa Loucks-Christenson Shipwreck Sunday! Book 2, Valentine’s Adventures published by Story Antics® and the Bow Wow Detectives™ is one of dozens of personalized books, many written and illustrated by Loucks-Christenson for this personalized book line. Valentine’s Adventures is also an exhibit for 2024.
The City of Hope Apparel Co. Rochester, Minnesota, is one of the inspirational clothing lines Loucks-Christenson added to Peacock Books & Wildlife Art.
Lisa Loucks-Christenson owns the Rochester Sun Times News™ is an independent news source that covers Rochester, Minnesota and global stories through exclusive articles, photography, interviews, and footage. The new and stories she collects have a global audience, just like her customers. Show your support for local, ad-free journalism. RSTN’s funding comes from Lisa Loucks-Christenson’s art, photos, and book sales.
Here is an ad at one of my publishers' sites. This comic illustration features my original characters from my syndicated, award-winning, and best-selling comics:
Don't Eat Bees!™
Hallowinks™
Valley & Allie™
Courtly Cottontails™
Toads of Telemark™
I hope you'll visit Peacock Books & Wildlife Art to see the exhibits featuring my comics. Loose are and cards are for sale, exclusively at Peacock Books™.
Announcing Winter Bugs: Exhibit Edition and Summer Bugs by Lisa Loucks-Christenson
Filmed in a real ghost town, Beaver, Minnesota, Lisa Loucks-Christenson covered a daily beat in the Whitewater Valley, stopping daily to shoot Winter Bugs!
Lisa's documentary has aired on television news, outdoor radio, was a featured exhibit at the National Eagle Center, and her galleries.
The art and merchandise is sold exclusively at Peacock Books & Wildlife Art in Rochester, Minnesota.
#1 Bestselling and Award-winning Author, Photographer and Illustrator
Prepare to fall in love with Lisa Loucks-Christenson’s original Pilot & Ranger book series featuring her unforgettable flying squirrels, Pilot, Ranger and Rusty.
Written and illustrated using watercolor, Lisa Loucks-Christenson captures the innocence of their personalities and wisdom that age and adventure bring, one episode at a time.
This series is written for ages 7 and up. Lots of adults read Lisa’s stories too.
The books will launch exclusively at Peacock Books & Wildlife Art, where you can purchase exclusive clothing, backpacks, hats, puzzles, and more. An animation is in progress featuring the tumbling, rumbling, and flying siblings always in search of their next discovery.
Book 1: A Tree Above Danger
After their parents leave, two flying squirrel brothers, Pilot and Ranger, set off to investigate new adventures beyond their nest tree, but can they make it home before dark?
Book 2: A Long Flight Home
When a controlled burn rages out of control, it destroys thousands of acres of woods and Pilot & Ranger’s nest tree. While putting out the fire, a fireman discovers the frightened flying squirrel siblings peering out of their nest tree and takes them to a wildlife rescue. Even for flying squirrels, it’ll be a long flight home.
Book 3: Rusty’s Rescue
Just when life was beginning to feel normal to the brother flying squirrels, Pilot and Ranger, an unexpected reunion with someone from their past changes everything they had believed about loosing every one and everything in a fire.
Copyright © 2023 Lisa Loucks-Christenson All Rights Reserved. "Comically Yours. Happy Holidays!
Illustration 18-21, Happy Hibernation!, Courtly Cottontails™, Book 18.
12/14/2023: Lisa and her comic gang shares: “Comically, Yours. Happy Holidays!”
This illustration is from Lisa Loucks-Christenson's book series, Happy Hibernation, Book 18, Courtly Cottontails™. In this comic, #18-21, Lisa's original characters from Courtly Cottontails Chex and Barry team up with her other best-selling, original, award-winning, and syndicated comic characters from:
Courtly Cottontails™ - 18 books, syndicated Toads of Telemark™ - 2 books, syndicated Hallowink Hollow™ - 11 books The Adventures of Valley & Allie™ - 2 books (environmental and wildlife concerns) Valentine’s Adventures™ - 7 books Don’t Eat Bees!™ - 8 books in two lines, comic, cartoon, song, and more.
Lisa’s original books, art, cards, clothing, loose and framed art, and decor merchandise are sold exclusively at Peacock Books & Wildlife Art located in the ballroom of the Odd Fellows Building, downtown Rochester, Minnesota (skyway). Any books Lisa listed on Amazon became bestsellers and were later moved into exclusive products at Peacock Books. Some ebooks remain on their site. Don’t Eat Bees!, Minnesota Fungi, and In Search of Spirit Wolf.
Of the eleven Hallowink Hollow comic series, (5 of the 11 books were published on Amazon, all hitting best--seller status in multiple categories. The other books, along with the first five, are now sold exclusively at Lisa’s retail store, along with the art.
Allie the Starling is featured in at least four of Lisa’s comic series and is the star of her own documentary. Valentine the Chihuahua appears in several of Lisa’s books and comics. The Toads of Telemark characters Jasper Traine and Jessica Duke, are in other books too.
Lisa Loucks-Christenson’s 2024 Exhibits include art from the above comics, her children’s books, and wildlife documentaries.
Peacock Books’ Gem Theatre will feature Lisa’s wildlife documentary 2800-3800 episodes for her Temple of Eagles™, animations, films, and cartoons, exclusively.
Exclusive Bricks-and-mortar Retail Store - Secular Divsion: Peacock Books & Wildlife Art
