Loess Hills, East of Logan, Iowa

8.5x11 Acrylic on panel, © 2011

Private Collection

One thing I like about painting—observation. Once you start the process of painting, your heightened awareness kicks in, and you see things differently. This doesn't just happen when you have a brush in your hand, but before and after. Subtle color changes and the value shifts used to create depth become beautiful in and of themselves. Marge and I struck out to find beauty on a late autumn day. We came across a back road—dirt, of course. Who knows where, but there it was—beauty of place. The moment is memorable as you see the beauty of color, value, line, and stroke. I can never go back to that place except in the painting. Photographs never seem to capture what is really there. Sure they are good for details of shape, but not color, value nor finding it again. Maybe a camera with a GPS would be good, but I don't know why; I have a painting.

Forgotten Bridge

9x12 acrylic on panel, © 2011

Private Collection

When exploring the obscure areas of Nauvoo, IL on the East bank of the Mississippi River, we found an area that was used to drain the swamp to make the city. It still functions to eliminate water but has long been forgotten as serving as a bridge also. Beauty is where you find it; be prepared.

Recognition: Won an Honorable Mention in the Omaha Artists' Winter Art Show

Winter Fruit

10x20 acrylic on canvas, © 2011

Collection of the Artist

Hoarfrost appears silently, and when the sun comes out disappears as it came, but in the brief moments of the morning its beauty must be enjoyed.

Ranch Cloud

8x10 acrylic on panel, © 2010

Private Collection

When visiting my uncle's ranch at Flaming Gorge, UT we saw the most phenomenal sunset "just for us—Tender Mercies."