I can't believe this shit

I set my personal record for earliest time going ice fishing today, Nov. 15. Ridiculous. I just painted this from the boat landing. A bizarre scene of a half frozen river at dusk in the snow. The were fifteen or so boatfuls of duck hunters getting their boats out of the water(what's left of it)as I sat in my van looking north to a frozen bay that I just walked out on. The Stoddard Bay channel is what is snaking its' way though the painting.
 

Thank you

I want to thank everyone for supporting me again this year. That isn't bullshit either. I realize I live a special life, but also that I have a duty to make the most of my talents. There isn't much doubt I am giving it my best effort. Here are a few paintings from the last couple months.

I have been busy

sorry for not posting, well honestly not too sorry. I have just been really busy painting and keeping up with demand while trying to maintain integrity.

 

It has been winter for over a month now

The river froze in front of my house on Nov 11. It melted and quickly refroze to the point that I was ice fishing before Thanksgiving. So hurray for the old time winter. Thank you everyone for allowing me to live my dream of being an artist. Merry Christmas!

Death's Door

I am done with the shows. Back to work I guess. This was in Door County this summer. I went past here recently and the barn fell over. I was upset when I painted a little study of the place but I didn't feel like that emotion came through as much as I wanted. I just wanted the sun to feel like it was pressing down on the building, like it was stark and sad, but also beautiful in its' last moments. Like looking in the sun, we don't see so much. Turns out I sold the study before I even did the larger one and I worked from a drawing and from memory.
 

The time was right

I painted this in April before things leafed out. It was actually the end of April this year. You aren't supposed to park here on the river road but I waited until a sunny Sunday when less cops were around. This barn is on the Mississippi River and at one time the cattle before the dam was built probably were raised on the backwaters and many islands directly across the road.

A couple little ones in Decorah, Iowa

I have been eying these places up for a while. The white barn is on highway 52 in Decorah, and is used as municipal storage. The other is the Winneshiek County Co-op. I think about how so many small co-ops have disappeared because so many small farms have disappeared. I can only complain about things so much and listen to complaining so much. The best thing I can do is just be an example and live responsibly the best I can. Thank you all for allowing me to do this.