Engine Company

16” x 24” colored pencil on Strathmore paper  (2012)

Second work in the “Fire Company” series, highlighting members of an Engine Company. These firefighters are primarily responsible for fire suppression efforts and victim rescue at a fire scene, but also can devote much of their time to emergency medical response.

Rescue Company

16” x 24” colored pencil on Strathmore paper  (2013)

Last of the “Fire Company” series, Rescue Company members are dedicated to performing rescue and extrication operations at the scene of a vehicle or industrial accident, utilizing the modern hydraulic and mechanical rescue tools that are available.

Retirement Tribute /
Captain Pulver

12” x 16” colored pencil on Strathmore paper  (2012)

Presented to Captain Emma Pulver upon her retirement from the Cedar Rapids (IA) Fire Dept. in 2012.

Promotion Tribute /
Captain Fairlie

12” x 16” colored pencil on Strathmore paper  (2014)

Commissioned by Captain Chemé Fairlie upon promotion to Captain on Quint 7 / Cedar Rapids (IA) Fire Dept.

Fathers and Sons I

16” x 24” colored pencil on Strathmore paper  (2014)

Commissioned as a gift for firefighters Brandon Grieder (Fairfax IA Fire Dept.) and his father Denny Grieder (Belle Plaine IA Fire Dept.)

Fathers and Sons II

16” x 24” colored pencil on Strathmore paper  (2015)

Commissioned as a gift for firefighters Brad Ransford (Hiawatha IA and Robins IA Fire Depts.) and his father Don Ransford (Cedar Rapids IA Fire Dept.)

Career Tribute /
Captain Brockhohn

17” x 24” Colored pencil on Strathmore paper (2015)

Commissioned for Captain Al Brockhohn to commemorate 40 years of service as a firefighter and Fire Investigator for the Cedar Rapids (IA) Fire Dept.

Cedar Rapids Fire Dept. Central Station

16” x 28” colored pencil on Crescent illustration board (2017)

Commissioned work presented to CRFD Fire Chief Mark English to highlight the new Central Fire Station in Cedar Rapids which opened in 2013 as a replacement for the previous Central Station which was destroyed in the 2008 Flood event.

Belle Plaine Fire Dept.

18” x 24” colored pencil on Crescent Illustration board  (2017)

Depicts six current members of the Belle Plaine (IA) Volunteer Fire Dept. ready for action. The original drawing was donated to the department and prints of the work were sold to the public as part of a fund-raising event to purchase updated turnout gear.

Promotion Tribute /
Battalion Chief Trimble

12” x 16” colored pencil on illustration board  (2018)

Commissioned by Battalion Chief Marv Trimble upon promotion to that position on the Cedar Rapids (IA) Fire Dept.

150th Anniversary Commemorative Print

22” x 29” colored pencil on illustration board (2019)

Commissioned by the Cedar Rapids (IA) Fire Department for public display as a visual history of the organization from 1869 to 2019. In fifty separate images, its flow from top to bottom depicts the scope of change and innovation, including apparatus types, fire station design, and emergency response techniques, during its 150 years of service to the community.

Winter Solstice

10” x 12” colored pencil on illustration board  (2019)

This scene depicts the cold light of a late December sun as it nears the horizon, as seen from our home in rural Iowa. A framed print of this drawing was presented to each of our children (who have all since migrated to warmer climates) to display during the Christmas season and to remind them of their roots growing up here in the Midwest.

The Woodpile

12” x 18” colored pencil on Strathmore paper  (2013)

Tries to capture the visual appeal that any woodcutter can appreciate: a stacked pile of mixed firewood, interlaced with crusted snow, fully-seasoned and ready to provide winter warmth.

Der Uralte
(The Ancient One)

16” x 20” colored pencil on illustration board  (2018)

The magnificent tree in this drawing shelters a residential neighborhood just outside of Frankfurt, Germany. It has been identified as a Field Maple, a species common throughout Europe and the United Kingdom.

November Pool

12” x 16” colored pencil on Crescent illustration board  (2016)

Inspired by the sights during a fall hike through Palisades-Kepler State Park along the Cedar River.

Silver Maple
(Acer saccarinum)

6” x 8” colored pencil on illustration board  (2018)

Lessons in photorealism—a collection of autumn leaf drawings highlighting their natural color and form

Red Sunset Maple
(Acer rubrum)

6” x 8” colored pencil on illustration board  (2018)

Lessons in photorealism—a collection of autumn leaf drawings highlighting their natural color and form

White Oak

(Quercus alba)

6” x 8” colored pencil on illustration board  (2018)

Lessons in photorealism—a collection of autumn leaf drawings highlighting their natural color and form

Northern Red Oak

(Quercus rubra)

6” x 8” colored pencil on illustration board  (2018)

Lessons in photorealism—a collection of autumn leaf drawings highlighting their natural color and form

Green Ash Tree

(Fraxinus pennsylvanica)

6” x 8” colored pencil on illustration board  (2018)

Lessons in photorealism—a collection of autumn leaf drawings highlighting their natural color and form

Chinkapin Oak

(Quercus muehlengbergii)

6” x 8” colored pencil on illustration board  (2018)

Lessons in photorealism—a collection of autumn leaf drawings highlighting their natural color and form

Red Oak 2 (Quercus Rubra)

6” x 8” colored pencil on illustration board  (2018)

Lessons in photorealism—a collection of autumn leaf drawings highlighting their natural color and form

Dell

10” x 14” colored pencil on illustration board  (2018)

This portrait of a handsome Chesapeake Bay Retriever was given to a close friend, honoring his favorite hunting companion.

Legend

8” x 10” colored pencil on Crescent illustration board  (2016)

Legend was a rescue dog and has proven to be a devoted friend. Presented as a birthday gift to our son-in-law Aaron.

Penny and Maisy

10” x 12” colored pencil on Crescent illustration board, (2016)

“The Girls” are shown here on their southern California porch, trying their best to be enthusiastic about the fall season. Presented as a birthday gift to our daughter-in-law Sara.

Murdock

8” x 10” colored pencil on Crescent illustration board  (2016)

A tribute to her little constant companion, this work was presented as a gift to our niece Gina.

Christmas Dogs

8” x 10” colored pencil on Crescent illustration board  (2017)

Commissioned by Kim Fensterman, depicting her three tiny household friends.

Best Friends –
Ashlyn and Titan

6” x 8” colored pencil on white matboard  (2015)

Typical to the breed, Titan was a gentle giant. The drawing was presented as a gift to our granddaughter Ashlyn as a remembrance of him after his death.

Jozi

10” x 14” colored pencil on illustration board   (2018)

Jozi was a “Rez dog”, a tough little stray that our youngest daughter adopted when she was working on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona. The two enjoyed a year of love and companionship before Jozi passed away due to multiple health problems. This drawing was presented to our daughter as a tribute to the spirit and strength of the bond that they shared.

Katherine and Red

10” x 14” colored pencil on illustration board   (2019)

Commissioned as a graduation gift for the niece of a friend, in remembrance her horse Red, who had passed away the previous year.

Mia

9” x 12” colored pencil on illustration board  (2019)

Commissioned by friends of our family to commemorate the years of boundless affection and faithful devotion that Mia brought into their lives.

Bella Italia

6” x 8” colored pencil on illustration board  (2020)

An enchanting street view in San Gimignano, a beautiful Italian hilltop town in the Tuscan region, known for its magnificent cathedral and skyline of medieval towers.

Catena's Restaurant

11” x 15” colored pencil on illustration board   (2019)

This drawing was created for a niece of ours and is inspired by an old photograph of her great-grandparent’s namesake Italian Restaurant on Long Island in the early 1900’s. A framed print of the work was also presented to our niece’s great aunt, who had worked in this restaurant as a young girl.

Dad's Stearman

12” x 18” colored pencil on Strathmore paper  (2014)

Commissioned by Doug LeClere as a gift to his father Dwight, this work depicts Dwight’s first Stearman biplane, shown here on his Linn County, Iowa farm back in the late 1940’s.