Doc's
Lollipops
20x16
Oil, Acrylic, Cardboard on Canvas
This was a process piece which developed as I painted with no real planning beforehand. The title is an homage to my Grandpa Stoner (nickname: Doc) who helped me frame it using barnwood from the Stoner family farm.
Spitoon
15x36
Watercolor, India Ink, and Tea Leaves on Watercolor Paper
This is a "before & after" portrait of one of the Marlboro Men, Wayne McLaren, who died of lung cancer in 1992 at the age of 51. It portrays the younger, healthier MacLaren in a calm blue looking down on an older, decrepid version of himself. It's a comment on the dangers of smoking and the cost of looking "cool".
Slim
Pickens
24x56
Acrylic on Canvas
This started as a self-portrait, but Slim has acquired his own persona. He is my version of the quintessential "good guy" and always keeps it cool even when the going gets tough. This stems from my odd fascination with the Wild West and the almost comic-book like characters who emerged from this interesting period of American History.
Jack
Knife
26x50
Acrylic on Cotton
This was painted on top of a puffy 70's era composition of fall foliage turned on its side, which I bought from a Salvation Army store for $1.50.
Jack is my evil villain and represents all that is wrong with the world. His specialties are stabbing, knife throwing, and pitch black stalking.
The Birth
of Stanley
12x36
Oil, Graphite, and Cardboard on Canvas
Stanley is the name of a skeleton model that was given to me by my lovely lady. This is the first painting I made of him and thus, he was "born" from the sketchpad onto the canvas.
I have always been fascinated by the natural world and, in particular, the human body with its wondrous working systems.
The
Wright
House
16x22
Watercolor
This was a piece commissioned by my former teacher Doug Wright. It was created from an old photograph he had of their family farm house. It was my first real attempt at a realistic looking composition and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed painting it, especially the minute details.
Buffalufagus
22x30
Ashley loves buffalo. I love Ashley. I painted her a buffalo. Tsak.
Twin City
Scrapers
Acrylic, Paper on Canvas
This was a piece commissioned by Jen Oldenkamp for her friend who moved away from the Twin Cities. It is my interpretation of the Minneapolis skyline reflecting in the night. Each window was individually painted as I couldn't figure out an easier way to do it. I must admit that I wasn't particularly excited to paint a skyline in the beginning, but ended up enjoying it profusely. Thanks for the opportunity Jen!
Slim, Meet Jack
3 Canvases 12x36 each
Acrylic, Cardboard, Paper on Canvas
This was a process piece which involved more than a year of sporadic thought and painting. It's my take on the ever-present battle of good vs. evil which I feel affects everyone on some level. Gun vs. knife, Slim vs. Jack, light vs. dark. I also continue to satisfy my drip-craze which is not showing any signs of relenting.
Operation:
Jesse
16x12
Oil on Canvas
Commissioned by my good friend Nancy Gibbons for her husband Steve, this pays homage to our many beautiful days basking in the sun at the Chinese Tower Biergarten in Munich. Jesse is their lovable cat and is depicted relaxing in a chair, bottom right. Their daughters, now grown up, are also there, dancing in front of the Tower. I managed to slip Ashley in as well.
The Highest
Point in South
Dakota Life
5x3
My Dad used to take us kids hiking to the top of Harney Peak, the highest point in South Dakota. It holds as one of my favorite places to go in the world and thus, as thanks for instilling the love of the outdoors in me, I painted this small watercolor for him in celebration of his 50th birthday. Happy Birthday Dad.
I Blue It
This all started as a means of teaching my friend Jeff how to paint watercolor. I was showing him simple blending/fading and I ended up with this. The dot in the sky was accidental, but often accidents are the best part of the painting; hence the name.
Humble
Bumble
30 x 20
Acrylic on Blueprint
A piece made for the Winter Show at the Spearfish Arts Center in 2007. I've always loved this character from the famous Christmas cartoon "Rudolph and the Island of Misfit Toys" and I enjoyed painting him immensely.
