Lizzards

"Lizzards", 10"wx30"h, not for sale

"Three Maples" 4"wx6"h

This painting from my June 2012 show titled Urban Oasis at Jitter's Coffee in Duluth features a historic building in downtown Duluth currently occupied by Lizzard's Art Gallery and Framing. The building has many details that I worked long hours to capture on canvas such as it's unique brownstone brickwork and arched windows. The gallery features many local and regional artists and is set up very uniquely with a mezzanine, so that there are two levels of art to view. The mezzanine has an open railing so that you can go upstairs and view the work hanging on the gallery's high walls from above and below. This is the first gallery that accepted my work and helped me get started as an artist and so I wanted to remember that start in a painting.

"Red Ridge", 4"wx4"h

As an art student at UMD's School of Fine Arts, I would frequently stop in to Lizzard's and was awestruck by the landscapes and figurative painting of Adu Gindy (one of my teachers at UMD), Ann Jenkins and many others. While I've expanded to other businesses and gallery space since then, I always enjoy my stops into Lizzards to view artwork and chat with the owner Jeff. I recently dropped off some new work (which are the three landscapes featured here), please stop in soon and say hi ... and then stroll across the street to Jitter's Coffee to view my Urban Oasis work. Don't forget to try the coffee ... Jitter's makes some of the best in town. :)

"Summer Song Triptych", Three 4"wx4"h canvases

The Malt Shoppe

"The Malt Shoppe", 20"wx16"h, $250

This painting from my June 2012 show titled Urban Oasis at Jitter's Coffee in Duluth hopefully doesn't need a whole lot of explanation. It's just a playful take on a familiar landmark. I just love this building. It's so small and unique, perched overlooking Lake Superior. I can see why The Portland Malt Shoppe attracts tourists to it's unique location that features tasty treats. I'm glad I tried to tackle a challenging subject matter ... but the funny thing is ... I don't even drink milk or eat ice cream! :)

Urban Oasis: The Anchor Holds

"The Anchor Holds", 16"wx20"h, $250

This painting from my June 2012 show titled Urban Oasis at Jitter's Coffee in Duluth features a familiar anchor located in Canal Park, Duluth. I've walked past this anchor hundreds of times, but one day I stopped and looked at the lighthouse in the distant pier and moved so that it was centered in the composition. I then enjoyed viewing the anchor and lighthouse together, and just had to paint them. Both elements can be thought of as safety for people on ships ... especially in storms. The anchor could keep a ship from being smashed on the rocks ... the lighthouse could guide a ship through rocky waters. The line of rocks in the midst of this composition is a reminder of how important these items are to those who are at sea. To tourists, they are friendly landmarks of a port city, to the artist they are elements of a composition that play off each other .. what do they mean to you?

Urban Oasis: Blazin' Maples!

Afterburner, 10"wx10"h, $100

With these works from my June 2012 show titled Urban Oasis at Jitter's Coffee in Duluth I envisioned some sunsets on Lake Superior that featured maples with a brilliant sun shining in it's strength. I wanted the foreground to be the dominating element of the composition, the trees casting long shadows into the distance. I just love painting in the deep cobalt blue and bright yellow range of color. The burnt sienna colored trees and foreground are almost passive observers to the complementary colors competing for visual dominance. The punchiness (is that even a word?) of these compositions remind me of a small dog that needs to constantly be yipping and yapping, demanding your attention. I always assume that the little dog just doesn't want to be stepped on! lol.

Aflame, 10"wx10"h, $100

The sky and lake may be the last elements of the composition you focus on but they are important nonetheless. The blazing yellows and golds of these compositions that were painted together in one day inspired their titles: Aflame and Afterburner. Perhaps the warm summer weather outside may have influenced the titles a little bit too. :)

Urban Oasis: Tiny Birch Landscapes

Blueberry Birches, Acrylic on 6"wx4"h canvas

These canvases titled Blueberry Birches and Five Birches from my June 2012 show titled Urban Oasis at Jitter's Coffee in Duluth each measure a whopping 6"wx4"h. They both have a couple things in common. First, of course is the subject matter. No big surprise there. But the other thing they have in common which is compelling is they leave the viewer to use their imagination.

Five Birches, Acrylic on 6"wx4"h canvas

Both of these works were finished when I could have continued. I could have added the sun or moon ... or even some stars or even a nice ambient light source. But I chose to stop with both of these pieces, and I'm glad I did. They have a very honest feel to them, almost like a short story that is simply stated. If there is any more to be experienced from these works, it will come from the viewer ... They can write the ending.

Urban Oasis

Please stop by Jitter's Coffee during June to view my latest work titled Urban Oasis. This show features a nice blend of urban art featuring buildings, streets, lighthouses and street lights along with some Lake Superior inspired landscape paintings.