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I have been painting watercolors for over 25 years and have completed over 2500 paintings. I paint realistic scenes of Minnesota by memory or by using photographs taken for reference. Many paintings are of lakes, wildflowers, farms, cabins and scenic landscapes of northern Minnesota in various seasons. I also paint local wildlife including songbirds, loons and ducks. Detailed renderings of local butterflies are one of my favorite subjects. Working nearly every day, I often work on two or three watercolors concurrently, varying in sizes from 5"x7" to 22"X30" in rectangular, oval, or circular format. I paint mini 3"x4" rectangles of various subjects as well. Not all my paintings are your typical hanging frames. I also do mini watercolors on a 3" circle, which I turn into a magnets. Other artworks of mine have been reproduced for cards and calendars. Watercolors are not my only medium . In 1989, I began working with colored scratchboard. I also do some sketches in ink as well. Many of my paintings are in private collections and corporations throughout the United States, but my studio gallery is in my home on Eagle Lake. Visitors are always welcome. It is located 35 miles northeast of Grand Rapids, Minnesota along Scenic Highway #7.
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I always enjoyed drawing in grade school and it was in junior high school where I really got started with art. I had three art tutors while in high school beginning in the seventh grade. The tutors showed me a variety of mediums and subjects. We did work in sculpture, clay, drawing and painting. I still have three wood mache relief sculptures and a clay duck in my room that I did in high school. Watercolor stood out for me because of the flow and various colors was the best way of expressing myself to show my love of nature which I grew up in. It was also best for me to be able to stop work in progress and going back to painting with my various limitations.
Hibbing artist, Marian Wirtanen has been one of my mentors. She has done so much to get me started in my career by taking me to week long workshops in Grand Rapids and encouraging me with my art. She really helped me begin in art and also helped me to not be afraid of asking for help and to never give up. Also to face the daily challenges with a POSITIVE attitude is very important!
Another mentor in my life is wildlife artist, Maynard Reece. He always stressed no matter what your age or art level you can always learn new things. He said by drawing or painting your favorite subjects and lots of hard work that I can improve. Maynard has always encouraged me with my art which has meant a lot to me.
Terry Maciej was my very first art teacher in junior high school. I had one on one instruction with him for several years and he showed me how to work in scratchboards.Gene Bordwell showed me a variety of watercolor painting techniques. I remember going to his farm to paint the various buildings. We spent many hours painting and drawing in our basement. He really helped bring out my love of watercolors, and I also did some work in oils and acrylics.
APPROACH TO PAINTING I am very disciplined when I paint, working at the same times every day (generally three work sessions) In the evening I often work on thumbnail sketches of various subjects from memory or out of my head. The ones I like I'll turn into a painting. I also work from photos that I take. Generally I work on two or three paintings of various subjects at a time. Sometimes I work on more, alternating my time between all of them. I can't wait to get to work in the morning, so usually I've started by 9:00 AM. Another thing important when I paint is listening to music. I always have the radio or CD player playing when I work. My favorite CD to listen to is "Tribute" by Yanni. It has so much energy and it really inspires me. Many things inspire me such as a chickadee outside my studio window, a nearby Birch tree, wildflowers along the road, or the change of seasons.
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