In 2001, after 22 years as a magazine designer, I left my computer to go outside and paint. I soon discovered that nature never fails to reward and challenge an artist: constantly changing colors, light, and atmosphere. Cold and wind. And bugs.
I practice an approach to plein air painting that centers around the “prismatic palette,” a color theory with roots in fin de siecle France. I studied with Joseph Paquet in St. Paul, who had trained under John Phillip Osborne at the Ridgewood Art Institute in New Jersey. Osborne’s philosophy came from his training with Arthur Maynard, who learned under Frank Vincent Dumond, a renowned artist/teacher at the Art Students League in New York. Dumond had studied in the classical tradition at the Academie Julian in France, and was influenced by the new Impressionist ideas regarding color and light. Upon returning to America, Dumond taught in Old Lyme, Connecticut, which became a magnet for American landscape painters.
My practice incorporates the use of the prismatic color palette, an emphasis on accurate draftsmanship, and ideas about composition learned during my years as an art director. My paintings are impressionistic in that they describe the unique character of a particular day’s weather and light, and realistic in their desire to show the world as it is. In addition, I use the language of landscape to express abstract notions about color, form, design—and simply for the pleasing texture of paint on canvas.
When I’m not outside painting, I can usually be found in my studio at my south Minneapolis home studio. This is where I paint large paintings, prepare boards and canvases, and store my junk.
Any description of my work as a painter wouldn’t be complete without introducing my wife, Kristi. In addition to running her graphic design business, Two Spruce Design, Kristi helps me with framing, pricing, hanging and promoting shows, and other aspects of my work.
Awards
Best in Show, Salon International 2010
Best New Artist, Easton Plein Air, 2009
Best in Show, Burnsville Art Fete, 2009
People’s Choice,, San Luis Obispo Plein Air, 2008
Third Place, Laguna Plein Air Members’ Show, 2008
First Place, Grand Marais Art Colony Plein Air, 2004, 2005, 2008
First Place, Telluride Plein Air 2007
Paint the Parks Top 100, 2007
Best in Show, San Luis Obispo (CA) 2006 Plein Air Festival
Best in Show 2007, 2006, and Purchase Award 2006, Jaques Art Center Plein Air, Aitkin, MN
Judge, Grand Marais (MN) Art Colony Plein Air event 2006
People’s Choice Award, Red Stallion Gallery, Estes Park Plein Air, August 2006
Second Place and Purchase Award, “Minnetonka Magic 2006” exhibition, Wilcock Gallery, Excelsior, MN
Honorable Mention, The American Landscape 2005, Maryland Federation of Art, curated by Stephen Dougherty, editor of American Artist magazine
Collector’s Choice Award, Red Stallion Gallery, Estes Park Plein Air, 2005
Second Place, Paintings Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibtion, 2002
Exhibitions
Bloomington Arts Center (Minnesota ) Three-Person show, June 2010
Salon International 2010, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio
Burnsville Arts Center (Minnesota) Art Fete 2009, 2010
McBride Gallery, Annapolis: Featured Artist, July 2009
Kelley Galleries (Woodbury, MN): Featured Artist, April 2009
Art of Construction: Paintings of the I-35W Bridge Project, solo exhibition,
Thrivent Financial Gallery, August 2008
A Russian Night in Taos, Taos Art Museum & Fechin House, August 2007
One-person show, Minneapolis Woman’s Club, March-April 2007
“Drawn To Nature” juried exhibition, Bell Museum, University of Minnesota, 2006
Central Regional Exhibition, Oil Painters of America, 2005
Salon International juried exhibition, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX, 2005
Metropolitan Council (Minneapolis/St. Paul) Community Arts Partnership exhibition program, 2005
Work selected for display at the Minnesota Governor’s Residence, 2004
Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibtion, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Award for Excellence, Minnesota Artists Association, Fall Open Show 2002
