Loring Alleyway, Oil on Linen, 16x12
By Tom McGregor

Purple Bells, Bee Balm and Daisies, Oil on Linen 16x12
By Jerri Jo Brandt

Saint Paul Art Crawl this Weekend, October 7-9

Fri. 6-10pm, Sat. 12-8pm, Sun. 12-5pm
See Jerri Jo and me at our studio in the Northwestern Building.
275 East 4th Street, Suite 705, Saint Paul

Rieck’s Lake, Oil on Linen, 9x12 (SOLD)

Once, Rieck’s Lake was an open body of water. Settlers cleared the trees and plowed the land. Without the protective cover, soil from the Buffalo River watershed filled Riecks Lake. In 1935 Lock and Dam 4 was built. The Mississippi River submerged Rieck’s Lake with eight feet of water. In the years since, erosion is again filling Rieck’s Lake. In 2003 landowners, with a DNR grant, installed 42 erosion control dams and 24 acres of grassed waterways to slow the erosion.

Raising of the Flag, Oil on Linen, 12x16

The vast majority of my plein air paintings are done in the late afternoon and early evening. If you are going to paint in the morning and capture the good colors, you have to get up pretty early. This is one I did last Friday morning at the Fort Snelling Historic Site. I was pretty much done with the painting by the time they shot off the cannon and raised the flag. I liked the way the light only shone through the very bottom of the flag leaving the rest sort of muted and understated. I didn't want to do another flag waving proudly in the wind painting. That wasn't the day. It was quiet and serene with practically no wind.

Dodge in Gold, Oil on Linen, 12x16

There is starting to be a backlog of paintings in my studio that were painted on location and need a little studio touch-up and photo documentation. It's always hard for me to paint indoors when the weather is nice, but I have to. The Saint Paul Art Crawl is Oct 7-9 and I want to have a lot of new art for it. 

You have one more week to see the PAN show at the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, WI, and the same for the show at the Johnson Heritage Post Gallery in  Grand Marais MN.

The Backwater, Oil on Linen, 24x36
updated 1/8/13

Yesterday my wife reminded me that I haven't posted anything in quite awhile. It's not that I haven't been painting; I have. I just haven't finished one in a while. This painting is a perfect example. It still needs something, but today I was pleased enough with the progress so far that I decided to share it with you in it's incomplete state.

This 24x36 painting is from a 12x16 I did last year. On that painting, I painted the egret while she fished. That's easy to do; they hold perfectly still while they stalk their prey. But while I was painting, a second egret flew into the scene. At the time I thought it would make a nice painting. This is what I remember seeing.

Pigeon River, Oil on Linen, 9x12

Lake Kimball, Oil on Linen, 9x12 (SOLD)

Devil's Track River, Oil on Linen, 12x9

Above is a small sampling of the paintings from the Grand Marais  paintout. I apologize for the quality of the photos. I was shooting them at our camp site as I framed them.

 If you are up in Grand Marais between now and September 26, be sure to take in the show at the Johnson Heritage Post Gallery. Somebody can correct my numbers but I'm guessing there are about 200 paintings by about 30 to 40 artists that all took part in the event.

If you're in Hudson, WI, before September 25, be sure to take in the Project Art for Nature show at the Phipps Center for the Arts.

And of course, there is always the St. Paul Art Crawl October 7-9. Jerri Jo and I will be in my studio at 275 E 4th street in lovely downtown Saint Paul.

Parley Lake Winery, Oil on Linen, 12x16

Thank you Parley Lake Winery and Deardorff Vinyards for hosting the August Outdoor Painters of Minnesota Paintout. We had a great time.

Disney's Lift Bridge, Oil on Linen, 9x12 (SOLD)

There's tons of detail here that I could have gotten bogged down with. Instead, I decided to paint fast, thick and loose and not worry about the anatomy of all those boats. From a distance, I see boats but up close it's totally chaotic.

Across the Wide Expanse, Oil on Linen, 12x16

Here is another view of Lake Pepin. I never tire of this lake. We saw a large flock of pelicans circling over us, more eagles than we could count, and dozens of song birds serenaded us while we painted. The deer got pretty close before they noticed us. I like that about plein air painting. You stand in one place long enough, animals will come right up close, either out of curiosity or because you are so quiet and immersed in your painting that they don't see you as a threat.

Smooth Sailing, Oil on Linen, 12x16

Later in the same day we were on the Minnesota side of Lake Pepin when we came across this lovely view of the lake. it illustrates several of the themes I am concentrating on. This little native garden in the foreground with its long sponge-like roots absorbs pollutants before they reach the lake. The Kentucky blue grass with its short roots, does not. Pepin is a haven for sail boats, but trains regularily whiz along its shores and of course there are the barges (not shown) and pleasure craft of every description. Pepin, after all is just a widening of the mighty Mississippi, one of the busiest and most beautiful waterways of the world.

The Bottoms from Above, Oil on linen, 9x12 (SOLD)

We got to this location early Sunday morning. It had just poured buckets. While we were setting up, the fog rolled in and obliterated the view for quite a while, and then the no-see-ums started gnawing at us. Despite all that, this was a great place to hang out for a few hours. I'm having a great time getting ready for the Project Art for Nature (PAN) show at the Phipps Center for the Arts in September. My portion of the show will concentrate on the area around Lake Pepin, one of my favorite areas to paint.

Sheyenne Valley, Oil on Linen, 9x12

We just returned from a 7 day trip to North Dakota where we celebrated a milestone class reunion, visited with friends and relatives, rode ATVs, canoed, camped and still found time to get some serious painting in. I'll post some more once I've touched them up a bit, but for now, here's a sampling.

The grain elevator you see off in the distance is the only building in the hamlet of Catherine that is visible above the trees. It's a lovely little village in a beautiful river valley. The quiet was amazing! The only sounds were the breeze in the grasses and the chirping of birds. We saw a coyote, and several different hawks while scouting.

We came across the location for this painting the day before. At the time, the hills were dotted with cows. I love cow's structure and was really hoping they would make an appearance so I could paint them. It was beginning to look like they would not show, but just as we were about to lose our light, they came over the top of the hill and I got my chance. I actually like the painting better than if they had been more in the foreground thus becoming too much the focus of the painting.

Bill's Roses, 16x12, Oil on Linen

You may recognize this house. It is my neighbor Bill's. This is the fourth time I've painted it. I love the way the late afternoon sun lights up the west wall and the roses leaving pretty much everything else in shadow. This is by far the simplest I've painted the subject. It has taken me a long time to learn what to leave out.

Late Afternoon Calm, Oil on Linen, 12x16

revised 7/19/11

My commitment to the Project Art for Nature (PAN) was to choose a location that I will return to once a month for the next year. For me the obvious choice of location was Lake Pepin, which is actually just a widening of the River south of the Mississippi and St. Croix River confluence. Despite the fact that this is a working river that sees huge barges on a daily basis, there is still a lot of natural beauty to capture. PAN has a show at the Phipps Center for the Arts in September. I'm hoping that by then I will have captured a bit of this beauty to pass on to others who come out to see the show.

Sunnies Are Just Fine, Oil on Linen, 18x24

revised 7/29/11, 9/23/11

Today is the first day of summer. Spring was noteworthy for flooding, snow, rain and a lot of grey days. The day I painted the 12x16 field painting this studio painting was based on was one of the few exceptions. The field painting was painted 2 weeks ago on the only day we went swimming so far this year. I guess this painting is my attempt to capture and hold a piece of summer we have seen far too little of this year. Rats, it just started raining again.

Spring Floral, Oil on Linen, 12x16 (SOLD)

Yesterday I posted this painting. Immediately I realized I was not happy with it. Still, I shared it with the world warts and all. This morning I reworked almost the entire painting. This is the result. If you saw it yesterday, I'm hoping you will agree that it is improved. Anyway, I'm much happier with it today than I was yesterday. To me a painting is done when I can sense the place and there is a strong memory of being there, of breathing the air, listening to the sounds, feeling the sun. This painting takes me back two weeks to when I stood in this place.

Good Craftsmanship, Oil on Linen, 12x16

revised 4/2/11

My good buddy Mike, who passed away several years ago, was a print sales rep by day, but if you really wanted to see him light up, you would ask what he had going on in his shop. He absolutely loved making fine working toys and mechanical devices out of wood. This little dump truck is a great example. The wheels turn, the side walls of the box can be removed and the box pivots up. You cant see a joint anywhere. Every piece fits perfectly. He was also into marquetry and just about anything that took extreme craftsmanship. I learned a lot from Mike about pride in workmanship and dedication to something you love. I miss my old friend.

Hand Tools, Oil on Linen, 12x16 (SOLD)

I found some more old tools in my basement. I love the worn handles, the patina that comes from decades of hard work, the iron and wood and steel.

I wonder how many of the tools we buy today will still be around in 100 years. The toaster my mom bought in a second hand store in the 1940s works as well today as the day she bought it. On the other hand, we've been through about 8 coffee makers in the last 10 years. The longest one lasted was about 4 years. It's hard to find a spade with the heft of the old ones. The steel is thinner, and I think weaker. Everything is made out of plastic.

This painting pays homage to craftsmanship, pride in workmanship and building things right.

End of Winter, Oil on Linen, 9x12

revised 4/3/11

Recently I was accepted into an organization called Project Art for Nature, a collaboration of artists in Wisconsin and Minnesota, working independently and collaboratively to create artwork which promotes stewardship of threatened natural areas in our region.

Poppies and Coffee, Oil on Linen, 16x12 (SOLD)

Up until now, I've never considered myself a still life painter. I'd rather be outside. But painting this one was a fun way to spend a cold, grey weekend. I can definitely see myself doing more of these in the future. It was a collaborative effort with my wife, Jerri Jo. She laid out the objects, making her what I guess you would call the "painting stylist". Originally there was an old TV tray with a rosemaling pattern on it but the colors didn't really do it for me so I switched that out with Jerri Jo's painting of the poppies. Yes, there's a painting in my painting. It was a real challenge to copy her style but I had fun trying. Below is a photo of her painting. Keep in mind that I photographed her painting in balanced light but I painted my painting of her painting in incandescent light, thus the color shift.

Poppies, Jerri Jo Brandt, Oil on Linen, 12x16 (SOLD)

Tracks, Oil 9x12

The tracks seemingly go out to the middle of this field and end. Actually, whoever made them thought he/she would head across country, changed their mind and came back roughly the same way they went. I can see why- the snow was about a foot deep where I was standing. It was another beautiful sunny day with temps hovering around 30º yesterday. The snow will soon be gone.

Winter Warmth, Oil on Linen, 12x16

revised 3/29/11

This was painted last Saturday in Lebanon Hills Regional Park during an Open Air Painters of Minnesota paint out. I was looking forward to the camaraderie of painting with a group of plein air painters and comparing notes afterword. That was not the case however. Our location was a bit isolated and by the time we finished, everyone had left. We never saw another painter all day, although hikers who stopped to chat reported sitings. You have 2 more days to see the OPM exhibit at AZ Gallery in Saint Paul.

Frozen Falls at the Old Mill, Oil on Linen, 16x12

Painting number 3 from this past weekend was done down in Hastings. It was in the mid 50s and the light was soft and diffused most of the afternoon. I thought I would get down to the ruins for a second painting but this one kept me busy until sunset.

Cups, Oil on Linen 9x12

I don't recall ever having done still lifes before. It's more of a challenge than I thought. The last couple that appeared on this blog were created in Richard Abraham's evening class. Stay tuned for more basement finds in the future.

I think these are family heirlooms too, although I must admit their significance is lost on me. Some have sibling's names and dates of birth; others don't have an inscription. I think they're akin to the bronzed booties people used to keep on their mantel.

Ice Break, Oil on linen, 12x16

It was up in the 40s this weekend and sunny making for a 3 painting weekend. Around three o'clock on Saturday the sun popped out so I finished up a studio "memory" painting I was working on and had Jerri Jo drop me off on the Robert Street Bridge just as the colors were beginning to peak. It felt good to work fast. I covered the canvas in a little over an hour. Sometimes it just feels right.

I can't tell you how many times I've commuted over the Robert Street Bridge and wanted to paint this painting. By shear luck the light was absolutely perfect when I finally did. I was more than willing to put up with some pretty inane questions by passersby.

Updated 2/2/11 (SOLD)

Working Late, Oil on Linen, 18x24

Oh the barges, the mighty barges. The season is short. The hours are long. It is a sight to behold these behemoths that navigate the mighty Mississippi. They slide through the arch of the Robert Street Bridge like thread through the eye of a needle.

The Guiding Light, Oil on Linen, 12x9

Scrounging around the basement this past Saturday, I came across this old kerosene railroad lantern. My dad retired from his job as a conductor on the old Northern Pacific Railroad back in the early 70s. I remember him bringing this home about that time. I found ones like it being offered for a couple hundred dollars on antique auction sites. They were all made around 1909. There was still soot inside. I wonder when was the last time it was lit. I think I'll have to pick up some kerosene and a wick somewhere and try it out.

Winter Light, Oil on Linen, 9x12

When I'm not shoveling, I absolutely love the way the snow piles up on everything here in Minnesota. The world looks like a giant meringue. We were standing in about 2 feet of snow but the sun was on our faces so we were quite toasty, in fact, I was a bit overdressed and had to shed a layer.

Superior Spring Morning, Oil, 20x24

Revised studio painting from March of this year

You have a few more days to see my paintings at Golden's Deli, 275 E 4th Street, Saint Paul, MN. My paintings will be on view the month of January, 2011 at the Unity Church Unitarian, 732 Holly Avenue, Saint Paul. The public is welcome. Call (651) 228-1456 for public hours.

Morning Haze Not Quite Lifted, Oil on canvas, 24x18
(revised January 2013)