“I am a self taught artist, working primarily in acrylics and soft pastels. I paint on canvas but am particularly fond of a harder surface, like hardboard or wood. I’m especially drawn to working on reclaimed materials. I love how the wear and texture add another attractive element to the piece.
I work equally on portraits, landscapes and still life, all done in my own signature fun style.
Abraham Lincoln has long been a favorite subject of mine. The majority of the time my approach concerning him has been lighthearted. I like to portray Lincoln in situations where he has found a bit of joy in his life.
Images that make you smile are my exercise in the creative process, may it be my favorite president, a much loved animal or a quirky stylized scene. Today we need these positive reminders more than ever.”
Having grown up on a farm right smack dab in the middle of ole Abraham Lincoln’s stomping grounds I have never lacked for ideas or inspiration. I have always been creative, selling my wares as I go. I have worked with wood and restored antiques which in turn began a love of reclaimed & repurposed items. I am fascinated with the stories hidden within a piece.
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I was very fortunate to have been able to call the late George Colin a friend & neighbor for many years. George was an outsider artist that sold fantastic painted wooden creations from his yard, but it was his vividly colored pastels that were his claim to fame. In my younger years, the boldly colored yard art drew me in, but it was the pastels that captured my heart. George’s use of bold shapes & colors captured my imagination early on and I definitely have implemented that narrative into my work as well. Little did I know that a ride along with my grandfather to my aunt & uncles tavern in Salisbury, IL (which happened to be across the road from Georges house) would end up having such an impact on my life.
My adventure with 2D wall art began in earnest in 2015. Not being the young man that I used to be, it was time to put down the hammer and start something new. Whimsical is what I most often hear as a description of my work. Where that comes from, God only knows! You can definitely see George’s influence in my work, especially the earlier pastel pieces. I also work in acrylic on canvas but love it when I get my hands on vintage panels that I can paint. The character marks and overall wear add to the visual journey, perfectly imperfect I would say
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