Mississippi River Bottom | acrylic, collected Mississippi river water and sediment on canvas | 36 x 36 | Private collection
Concurrent No. 1 | acrylic, collected Mississippi River water and sediment on canvas | 30 x 30 | Private collection
Lake Pepin Occurrence No. 1 | acrylic, collected Lake Pepin water and sediment on canvas | 36 x 60 | Private collection
Lake Pepin Occurrence No. 2 | acrylic, collected Lake Pepin water and sediment on canvas | 36 x 60 | Private collection
Lake Pepin Disposition | acrylic, collected Lake Pepin water and sediment on canvas | 48 x 48 | MMAM collection
Lake Pepin Disposition | acrylic, collected Lake Pepin water and sediment on canvas | 48 x 48 | Private collection
River Rejuvenation | acrylic, collected Mississippi river water and sediment on canvas | 36 x 36 | Midco collection
Pike Island Fluidity | acrylic, collected Mississippi River water and sediment on canvas | 36 x 36 | Private collection
Superior Falls No. 2 | acrylic, collected Lake Superior water and sediment on canvas | 48 x 36 | Private collection
Superior Falls No. 1 | acrylic, collected Lake Superior water and sediment on canvas | 48 x 36 | Private collection
Coming Home Again No. 2 | acrylic, collected Mississippi River water and sediment on canvas | 24 x 24
River Sky No. 4 | acrylic, collected St. Croix River water and sediment on canvas | 36 x 36
Tension Falls No. 1 | acrylic, collected St. Anthony Falls water and sediment on canvas | 48 x 36 | Private collection
Superior Earth No. 1 | acrylic, collected Lake Superior water and sediment on canvas | 48 x 36 | Private collection
River Sky No. 5 | acrylic, collected St. Croix River water and sediment on canvas | 36 x 36
Pike Island Cycle | acrylic, collected Mississippi River water and sediment on canvas | 36 x 36 | Private collection
I am most recognized for my acrylic paintings incorporating collected water and sediment. From 2015 - 2020 I developed an extensive body of work comprising more than 100 pieces. This culminated in a large solo exhibition at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum (Winona, MN) which saw over 10,000 visitors.
My process begins by respectfully gathering water and sediment from the shorelines of lakes and rivers. Returning to my studio, I pour the collected materials with acrylic paint over canvas to emulate the natural erosion and flow of the water. I then brush thin layers of resonant color over the dried texture to express the movement, mood and surface reflections that I observe at the shoreline. Every time I dip my paintbrush in collected water, I connect with its source. This connection flows onto the canvas, creating a painting that realizes our relationship with water.
The physicality of collecting and incorporating such materials is a critical part of how I embody and translate what nature is telling me.
When the Water Calls Me Back | Solo Exhibition at University of St. Thomas Department of Art History Gallery | 2022 | Cords Photography
River Sky No. 6 | acrylic, collected St. Croix River water and sediment on canvas | 36 x 36
When the Water Calls Me Back | Solo Exhibition at University of St. Thomas Department of Art History Gallery | 2022 | Cords Photography
Vitality | acrylic, collected Mississippi River water and sediment on canvas | 76 x 117.5
When the Water Calls Me Back | Solo Exhibition at University of St. Thomas Department of Art History Gallery | 2022 | Cords Photography
Lake Michigan Blues No. 3 | acrylic, collected Lake Michigan water and sediment on canvas | 36 x 60 | Private collection
I create water paintings on commission.