Honors

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. It also serves as a gallery where I hold studio sales several times a year. (If you’re not already on our mailing or email lists and would like to be, please click here.)

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 marketing my work. If you have questions feel free to direct them to either one of us.