New Work

Organic Geometry 28" x 40" - $20,000

Sometimes good things rise out of the ashes of failure and this painting makes the point. Two weeks ago we had a freak Spring snowstorm and I was bent on getting in a large painting that said "Winter."

Instead I spent four hours trying to salvage a painting where the snow melted faster than I could catch it.

When I brought it back to the studio my ego told me "I can make this work" so I spent a caffeine-fueled hour pounding its chest and yelling "breathe, dammit breathe." Despite my best efforts it was all over by two-thirty.
I scraped no less than $25.00 worth of lead white off the canvas while I rationalized that, "It was for the best."

Vowing not to be in such a hurry next time, I spent a couple of days walking, looking and feeling out some locations here in St. Paul. When I saw this I was stopped in my tracks. For a guy who grew up in a working class neighborhood this had it all: grit, history -- the railroad. Those retaining walls had as much character as the face of a 100-year-old man. I was lucky this time -- the weather was perfect. For three days I banged away, blissed-out and feeling totally alive.

Same canvas, different ending.
I keep relearning things.

Catalina Island CA: The Wild Side

Silver Surprise, Emrald Cove 8" x 12" - $3000

This years show will highlight the work of Kenn Backhaus, Bye Bitney, John Bubicin, John Cosby, Don Demers, Andy Evansen, Kim Lordier, Myself, Brian Stewart, & Skip Whitcomb. A portion of the proceeds go to the fine work of the Catalina Island Conservancy. See the collection from the show here.

A special thanks to explorer, guide, chef & all around good man Jack Baldelli for the 4-day boat trip around the island to get unusual viewpoints for the show.

Myself, John Stobart & Don Demers

I shared this opening talk with a very large crowd at The Plein Air Expo in Monterey last month and I was honored to give it and grateful for such a warm and thoughtful response. Thanks to Eric Rhoads and the staff at Plein Air Magazine for the opportunity.

It was great to visit with many of the other artists, including and in particular, friend and master maritime artist John Stobart who gave me my first real one-man show when I was 31 years old.

This month I will be sharing the talk on Friday, May 17th from 1:00 to 2:15pm with the Oil Painters of America at their convention in Fredericksburg Texas.

New Book

Yosemite Valley 12 x 20 -  $5,000

18th Annual Summer Workshop, St. Paul, MN
3-Day Plein Air Workshop

Museum Show

Pristine Day, Venice 8x12 - $3,000

Sold

Morning on the Mississippi 28 x 40 - $19,500