I was honored to be asked by Twin Cities Public Television to paint a view of The Wall That Heals in late June of 2018. On the grounds of the Minnesota State Capitol, dozens of visitors - including quite a few Vietnam veterans - added strokes of paint to the picture over a 4-day period, and the stories they shared were quite moving.
(Thanks to TPT for the photograph of the family adding their marks)
Check out Dave's largest project - an oil on canvas triptych showcasing 100 Americans who lived during the First Word War and had a significant impact on the creation of modern America. This work was created for the Minnesota Historical Society to augment their "World War One America" exhibit.
The three pieces were painted between September of 2016 and November of 2018. They now hang in the library of the Minnesota Military Museum at Camp Ripley, Minnesota.
To watch a video about Dave's involvement in the project, click here.
I have been fascinated with the American Civil War for as long as I can remember. Some of the pieces here were created for clients, others were created for my personal collection.
1. "The Liberators" oil on board
For more information on this piece, check out my blog post HERE.
2. "Incident on the Picket Line" oil on canvas Private Collection
3. "The Charge - The First Minnesota Regiment charges Wilcox's Alabama Brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg" oil on canvas
This is available as a limited edition print. For details, click HERE.
4. "The Charge" with key showing various elements.
5. "The Charge" detail showing Colonel Colvill and the First Regiment's Color Party.
Note - For video relating to this painting, go to my VIDEO page and scroll down. For an in-depth look at its creation, visit my BLOG page.
6. "The Death of Rollin Converse" oil on canvas Welcome and Heritage Center, Prescott, WI
7. "Keepers of the Flame." oil on canvas
Used as a Limited Edition print by the Minnesota Civil War Monument Project. Available for a donation of $150 or more to the project. Contact the artist for details.
8. "At All Hazards - General Cleburne at Ringgold Gap" oil on canvas Private Collection
9. "Union Soldier" oil on board Private Collection
10. “Fort Snellling in the Civil War” pen and ink, birdseye view MNHS Collection
The tragic U.S. - Dakota War of 1862 is a subject I have revisited a quite a few times.
1. "Internment Camp at Fort Snelling" oil on panel Brown County Museum New Ulm, MN
2. "Milford Massacre" oil on canvas Brown County Museum New Ulm, MN
3. "Surprise at Wood Lake" oil on canvas Private Collection
4. "Ambush at Redwood Ferry" oil on panel Minnesota Historical Society
5. "Attack on the Barracks" oil on panel Minnesota Historical Society
6. "Lorenzo Lawrence Rescue" oil on panel Minnesota Historical Society
7. "Dakota pardoned and freed at Davenport" oil on panel Private Collection
8. "Murphy's spoiled pork" Watercolor on board Minnesota Historical Society
While I do not think of myself as a portrait artist, I do occasionally paint figures from the past. In some cases, I have painted clients in the clothing of the time period they find most fascinating. In other instances, I have recreated client's ancestors, which can prove challenging but also quite rewarding.
1. "Abraham Lincoln" oil on canvas
Available as a signed print. To purchase a copy, click HERE.
2. "Jacques the Story Teller" oil on canvas Private Collection
3. "Royal Navy Lieutenant Schifferdecker, 1805" oil on canvas Private Collection
4. "James the Tailor" oil on canvas Private Collection
5. "Dina's Garden" oil on canvas Private Collection
6. "Leo the Silversmith" oil on canvas Private Collection
7." Dred Scott at Fort Snelling" oil on canvas
8. "Harriet Scott at Fort Snelling" oil on canvas
9. "James Monroe Phillips at Vicksburg" oil on canvas This was painted for his descendants
I illustrated several articles for The History Channel Magazine. Talk about travelling through time!
1. "Blackbeard" oil on canvas Private Collection
2. "The Escape through the Swamp" oil on illustration board Private Collection
3. "Marion's Ambush" oil on panel Private Collection
4. "Woodland Warriors at Detroit" oil on panel Private Collection
5. "Burning the U.S.S Philadelphia" oil on panel
6. "The Custom of the Sea" oil on panel
7. "Puritan Elder" oil on panel Private Collection
8. "Brock and Tecumseh" oil on panel
9. "Boone, the Frontiersman" oil on panel
Despite my love of historical subjects, I am often happiest when painting the effects of light on a landscape - whether sunlight or moonlight.
1. "Grand Portage by Moonlight" oil on panel Private Collection
This is available as a Limited Edition print. To purchase a copy, click HERE.
2. "Split Rock LIghthouse" oil on canvas Private Collection
3. "Autumn Gold" oil on canvas Private Collection
4. "Winter's Moon" oil on canvas Private Collection
5. "Minnehaha Creek" oil on canvas board Private Collection
I can never escape the gravitational pull of the past. It is a part of who I am.
1. "Ojibwe Lodge" oil on panel
2. "Dakota Village at Dawn" oil on canvas Private Collection
3. "Fort Snelling" oil on canvas Private Collection
4. "First School at Lac qui Parle" oil on panel Private Collection
5. "Mural for Gibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life" From the oil on panel originals Ramsey County Historical Society
6. "Calling in Style - The Villa Louis" oil on panel Private Collection
7. "The Schooner HMS Nancy" oil on panel Private Collection
8. "The Keelboat" oil on panel Private Collection
I always keep a sketchbook and pencils nearby - especially when on the road. You never know when inspiration will strike.
1. "Monet" pencil, chalk and casein on tinted paper
2."The Sunken Road at Fredericksburg" pencil, chalk and casein on tinted paper
3."Brandywine Battle Field - Gilpin House" pencil, chalk and casein on tinted paper
4. "Hat worn at Gettysburg" pencil, chalk and casein on tinted paper
5. "Trading at the Fur Post" pen and ink Minnesota Historical Society
6. "Stegosaurus" Charcoal on paper
7. "Iguanodon" Pencil on paper