If you’ve ever heard me talk about art and the journey of becoming and artist, you may have heard me talk about the idea of finding your artistic family tree. 

I’m not talking about genealogy. I’m not talking about trying to trace your roots back to Van Gogh or Monet. Let me explain. 

Being creative sometimes comes naturally. There are people that are born inquisitive and, as a result, are incredibly creative. Creativity is about creating things (obviously) and creating things requires an inquisitive mind and a “what if?” approach to the world around us. 

I’ve gotta admit, I never expected artists to be the target of scams.

It’s not like we’re loaded with cash or surrounded in wealth. Collectible artists, such as Van Gogh and Picasso, I expect to be the subject of scams and art fraud. But not artists like me.

I’ve always been struck by this view of La Crosse. Many folks like to hike up Grandad’s bluff and get a view of the whole city. But for me, this view as you arrive in Downtown La Crosse is one of my favorites. The dog-right turn up ahead marks the center of the retail section of Downtown La Crosse and Leithold’s Music store. It’s just cool I think.

I’m a huge fan of repurposing items where I can to reduce the amount of stuff that goes to landfill.

My frames are all handmade by me from reclaimed wood from our local “Amish Walmart.” The boxes are found all over the place.

I am big on the idea that an artist should create everything when it comes to producing a piece of art. I believe that an artist is at their best when they produce the whole piece. 

They say that life is a journey not a destination  More people need to hear that.

I once considered myself to have been an artist since I was a kid. I’ve spent years trying my hand at everything in art. Drawing, cartoons, origami, Chinese watercolor, printmaking, digital graphic design... the list goes on. 

Here’s what I’m currently working on. This piece features “The Driftless Cafe” in Viroqua. A superb cafe that specializes in farm to table food.  

Today, I spent much of the day in the garage getting things in order ready for an intense session of making frames. I managed to crank this frame out for “The Ride Home” which features an Amish buggy riding up the highway during a fall evening. The frame was made out of old barn wood from an Amish barn.

Now that might sound like a bold, and slightly unethical, statement. But trust me, it’s true.

I studied art at school and I was pretty good at it. I studied it throughout my time at high school and into college. I remember a saying (although the source of it escapes me) that saying is “Steal like an artist.”