ARTIST STATEMENT

     I've been going to the Boundary Waters and Quetico since my early twenties, either with my buddies, or with my wife Martha.

     When the other guys fish, or Martha reads, I paint plein air watercolors.  I walk or paddle from our campsite to the desired spot.  Each piece takes 3-4 hours to complete.  Like fishing, some are keepers and some are throw-aways.  It's zen-like, in that I'm totally engrossed in the present moment and the place, and there are no interruptions.

     We usually go in May or September, to avoid the bug season.  Autumn has its beauty with the fall colors, and on a warm day, we can swim.  There are only about 12-13 hours of daylight, and the woods are quiet.  The fishing is good, and we don't encounter a lot of wildlife.  In the spring the woods are alive with bird song.  Animals are out and about with young.  We have 15-16 hours of daylight, and the fishing is great.  Because the water is ice-cold, we take no chances crossing big water, or fighting the wind and waves.  In both seasons, we have a big stack of firewood under our tarp, and if it rains or mists, we sit by the fire, and we eat great food.