2021. Oil on Canvas. 16 by 20 inches. (Left)

I painted this scene for fun. It shows a trail at Good Earth State Park. Four years later, I painted this scene on a 4 by 4-foot canvas (Blood Run 2). I hung this smaller painting at Piper Arts to see if anyone would be interested in buying it. Piper Arts displayed it for several months. No bites. When I was asked to donate a piece to a non-profit for its auction fundraiser, I donated this piece. Before the non-profit picked up the piece from Piper Arts, someone came into the gallery and offered to buy it. However, I kept my promise to the non-profit. Reynold Nesiba purchased this piece at the auction.

2025. Oil on Canvas. 48 by 48 inches. (Right)

Blood Run, or officially known as Good Earth State Park, is another special South Dakota place. I created this painting for the third annual Art Masters Exhibit at the  Minnehaha Country Club. The exhibit is up now, and will remain until exhibit pieces are auctioned at the next “Evening with the Art Masters” in October 2026. A question that plagued me and my family was whether to paint a runner on the trail. I did. The rationale: the runner introduces a human element and adds more depth. At least, that’s my thinking. What do you think?