Fifth Street, Valley Junction
May 26, 2020
My first watercolor since the COVID-19 outbreak is of Artisan Gallery 218. I love painting small local scenes, and this is a series I began since our gallery closed. I miss the daily work schedule and meeting new people every day who visit from around the country. more »
Laurel Street – Mercy Clinics
December 13, 2018
The main impetus for this design was the popularity of the subject matter, and modern architecture. I photographed the section of the building which interested me and worked from one of these angles. more »
Downtown Des Moines Series #45
November 29, 2017
My inspiration for this acrylic collage are the shapes of various buildings in downtown Des Moines. I love the different shapes, with all their details that make up an interesting design. The challenge is a complex design of familiar buildings in the downtown environment using bright colors. more »
Skywalk/Civic Center, Des Moines, Iowa
August 29, 2017
The Des Moines landscape of interesting buildings, signage, vehicles and sky shapes captured my attention. Cityscapes interest me and over the years I have painted many different locations in this city and I have found many interesting views and taken lots of reference photographs. more »
Prairie Cathedral (Elevator Icon #1)
January 31, 2017
Lately I have been working on a variety of Iowa-themed work in preparation of my joint exhibition next year with Deb Baughman, to be held at Indian Hills College in Ottumwa. This collage is a design of an old grain elevator in Chariton, Iowa. The structure was interesting with its many jutting pieces stacked on […] more »
Saffron Sky, Downtown Des Moines
December 27, 2016
This is a design from my archives that I decided to rework and improve with various color changes and textures. The inspiration for this vertical design was the architecture of the buildings in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. I love the different shapes of the buildings. It began with a picture-taking adventure throughout the city, from various […] more »
Polk County Courthouse
March 16, 2016
This past week I thought this collage needed an updating in the colors and composition. Although I liked parts of the design, I felt there were a couple areas I thought needed strengthening and improvement. It is a view of the urban landscape from the top of a parking ramp in downtown Des Moines. I’m pleased […] more »
Radio, Records & Books
April 10, 2013
This is a business that used to be on the northwest corner of the Centerville square a few years ago. Maybe a better title would be “remember when?” The storefronts and signage change occasionally and this is what attracts me to the subject matter. I like painting the old brick buildings. Most of the details are […] more »
Benton Street Corner, Albia
February 8, 2013
I’m painting my way around Albia’s square. This pale yellow building on the corner is a landmark and on the historic register. It is interesting sandwiched between the other businesses. The other points of interest are the global lights and parked vehicles along the curb. The building colors are a primary triad of yellow, gray-blue and brick […] more »
Morning Walk
February 7, 2013
I’m doing another storefront composition on the other side of the street. Many of these old buildings have intricate details, which I’ve simplified, of course. Also in evidence is the old blue mailbox — something you don’t see anymore. I did go back recently to see if the box was there, but it has been […] more »