Before the Storm, Galveston

oil, 24x36" SOLD

A year ago, we spent a week in Galveston, TX, with family.  The week was great, though the weather was not.  It was foggy and rainy for much of the visit.  But that didn't stop the kids from wanting to play at the beach every day!  On our last day there, a storm came rolling in.  We watched the clouds gather as the kids ran in the tide and collected shells and other flotsam.

In this painting, I wanted to capture the setting sun as it cut through the fog, the turbulent clouds coming in, and the reflections of those clouds across the wet sand.

Spring Tulips and George Washington Statue, Boston Public Garden

oil, 54x36"

We lived in Boston for five years, across the street from the Boston Common and Public Garden.  I walked through each space nearly every day and now I miss seeing the swan boats, the statues, and how the landscape changed with the seasons.  The George Washington statue was always surrounded by tulips in the spring.  Some years they were white, some yellow.  This particular year (2006, I think) they were a stunning red.

At nearly five feet tall, this is my largest painting to date.  And my favorite.

Subiaco, Italy

oil, 20x10"

Five years ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Italy and Germany for two weeks to explore the history of St. Benedict and learn about the monastic order that founded St. John's University.  We stayed in the town of Subiaco, where the very first Benedictine monastery was formed.  The tower at the top of this painting encompasses the cave where Benedict lived as a hermit for three years 1500 years ago.  The structures surrounding the space have been built up over the centuries since.

It was a magical trip with a group that would quickly become dear friends.

A couple more landscapes

Autumn, Schutte Rd, Corcoran, MN, acrylic 6x4" SOLD

If we can get out the door quickly in the morning before school, my daughters enjoy extending our drive slightly to pass by some horses in a pasture near the campus.  This tree is on the corner opposite that pasture.  Whether I'll paint those horses someday, I don't know.

Competing Fall Colors, Elm Creek Park, acrylic, 4x6"

On opposite sides of a path in Elm Creek Park, this yellow and red tree seemed to be competing with each other for the boldest color.

Both paintings are currently for sale at the Maple Grove Arts Center.

Dad's tools

oil, 18x36" SOLD

This was my dad's old wrench.  He had a lot of old tools, some of which belonged to his dad.  I like how they have spots of rust and other signs of time and use.  I've made drawings of tools before--in the spirit of Jim Dine--but this was my first tool painting.  Perhaps there will be more to come.

Landscape class

Elm Creek Park, 4x6" acrylic

I just wrapped up teaching a class through Anoka-Hennepin Community Education.  This was a very fun group of 15 students and I'm disappointed the class is done.  This painting was a demo from the last session.