I was born near Andover, SD and grew up on the family farm in the western edge of the prairie hills of northeast South Dakota. I grew up seeing the horizon and watching the changing skies moving east to west across the hills and fields. I’ve long since left the farm, but it hasn’t left me. I continue to look for horizons, clouds, fields, and especially . . . sheep! I love to show them in light and shadow with lots of color. I love oils and painting with quick strokes of thick paint.
The small school I attended had no art classes, so I drew and painted on my own, claiming a table in the upstairs hallway as my studio. I graduated from Northern State University in Aberdeen and have taught elementary art in South Dakota for 31 years. I spend my summers painting landscapes and showing at the Brookings Summer Arts Festivals and entering area and regional art exhibitions. My work is included in private and corporate collections in the region.
I have recently retired from teaching elementary art in Brookings to focus on my painting. I’m particularly proud of inclusion in the 1st, 2nd,and 5th SDGovernors Exhibition, the Siouxland Landscape at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls, Arts Night Artist’s Choice Award 2008 and the 2011-12 SD Art Educator of the Year Award.
My work can be seen at Rehfelds Art and Framing in Sioux Falls, SD and at the South Dakota Art Museum gift shop in Brookings.