This was from a favorite photo of our son, Nick, in the mountains wearing his dad’s hat. He had a dinosaur and a wind-up toy with him. The texturing of all the different stone and rock surfaces made a great setting. We still had that dinosaur, and it was kind enough to model for me. …
On Daddy’s Shoulders
1999 - 9.5" x 12.25" - Watercolor, Arches Aquarelle watercolor paper
Nick was a bit tired by this time in the day, and he was resting his legs while he sucked his favorite finger. I took this picture on a fast speed setting so that the trees in the background became just a jumble of squiggly lines. Perhaps they emphasize the way Nick was feeling at …
Cantata Mundi
2003 - 30" x 22" - Arches Aquarelle watercolor paper
In the depths of a living cavern in southern Arizona, where incredible natural formations of great variety and color continue to grow with the constant dripping of mineral-laden water, I first heard the music of Karl Jenkins and his Adiemus project. The timeless, meditative music was perfect to accompany the gently-illuminating light show revealing the …
Anna
2000 - 9.25" x 8" - Watercolor, Arches Aquarelle watercolor paper
May I introduce my charming niece Anna? This painting was in an art show at the Norris Gallery in St. Charles, IL, and the ladies hanging the show wanted to meet her. Anna was kind enough to attend the artists’ reception. The reception was much more fun with Anna and her family there. The original …
Imperturbabilis
1979 - 9" x 12" - India Ink, Arches paper
While at Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, studying art, I became interested in the art of the European Bronze and Iron Ages. I was very curious about what the artists had been trying to express; what they were thinking; what their lives were like, obviously so different from my own. Inspiration for this ink drawing came …
Out of the Iron Age III
1978 - 11" x 14" - India Ink, Bristol Board
While studying the art of the European Bronze and Iron Ages, I noticed how my books praised the workmanship of certain pieces, and I could see that the detail and ornamentation had taken great skill. I wondered at the superstition that must have been a part of life to these peoples as they tried to …
Nerthus and the Dragon
1979 - 9" x 12" - India Ink, Arches paper
After college, I went on an archeological dig through Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. It was a work/study program at the Koster Site in Kampsville, IL. During the work portion, one of my jobs was in their bookstore. Their collection of books was wonderful, and I purchased quite a few, some of them on the Bronze …
Out of the Iron Age I
1978 - 11" x 14" - India Ink, Bristol Board
While studying the art of the European Bronze and Iron Ages, I noticed how my books praised the workmanship of certain pieces, and I could see that the detail and ornamentation had taken great skill. I wondered at the superstition that must have been a part of life to these peoples as they tried to …
The Slate
2009 - 16.25" x 12" - Mixed Media (Colored Pencil, Watercolor), Arches Aquarelle watercolor paper
I hesitate to write much about this painting because sometimes it’s just too fun to allow the viewer to interpret with his/her own imagination. Imagine, for example, what strange happenings old slates in classrooms must have witnessed over the years. Perhaps a person from the past is caught on the other side of this slate. …
One Day in the Park
1999 - 17.75" x 19.125" - Watercolor, Arches Aquarelle watercolor paper
One day I took Jon to a park to play and to take photos. For this shot, I set the camera at a fast speed to “freeze” the water coming from the fountain. The result was charming and begged to be painted. One Day in the Park was my answer to the photo. For me, …