“Majestic cottonwood trees populate the James River near Aberdeen. Tacoma Park was once a summer resort and playground for the early residents of northeastern South Dakota. The landscape is a core theme in my life and work as an artist. As a ‘native’ of the prairie, the vastness of the northern plains has instilled in me a fascination with deep space, light, and atmosphere. Whether working ‘en plein aire’ or on larger paintings in the studio, I strive to deal with my subject in a clear, direct manner. However, my emotional response to the landscape is fundamentally romantic — I take my lead from nature.”