The Monoprep

The Monoprep | 5"x7" | oil on hardboard

Recently I received an e-mail from, Erica, one of my blog readers who is a marketing specialist for Arcadia Publishing. Arcadia is best known for its popular Images of America series, which chronicles the history of communities all across the country. Each title celebrates a town or region, bringing to life the people, places, and events that define the community.

Arcadia is releasing two new titles, both featuring Iowa. One is Eastern Iowa's Aviation History and the other is a postcard history of Waterloo. Erica sent me advance copies of the books and I decided to paint one of the images. Both books are packed with wonderful historic images of their subjects.

I chose the Monoprep to paint. This plane cost $1650 and was ordered from the Velie Company by Glen and Ada Phelps of Davenport. Quoting from the book:

The Phelp's Monoprep was completed in March of 1930 and flown to Davenport's Cram Field. Glen surprised Ada, who had not seen the completed airplane, pointing it out as they drove over the hill on Division Street toward the airport. "See that down there? That's ours," he said.


Book covers

Submit a comment or send me an e-mail to be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a copy of one of these books.

Both books will be available May 2.
Eastern Iowa's Aviation Heritage, $21.99, Arcadia Publishing. Available at local retailers, online bookstores, or through Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or (888) 313-2665

Waterloo, $21.99, Arcadia Publishing. Available at local retailers, online bookstores, or through Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or (888) 313-2665

Interested in buying The Monoprep

Orange and Blue

Orange and Blue | 5"x7" | oil on hardboard

A little orange and a little blue. This is a painting I completed some time ago, but had not yet posted.

There are paintings that I complete and am excited to post, and then there are others (like this one) that end up in a different place than I would like – in other words, I don't like it. For whatever reasons, this piece didn't end up a masterpiece, but I thought it might be a good thing for me to show you a piece I'm not happy with.

Show and Tell

Dordt AIGA Poster

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking at the Dordt College AIGA meeting in Sioux Center, Iowa. The AIGA is a national association committed to the advancement of design. David Versluis invited me to share my story of art and design with the group.


I am not a speaker, but thought this would be a non-threatening group who share my interests and passion for art and design. I loaded a box full of paintings, printed catalogs, advertising and even the Pizza Ranch NASCAR car I designed. To me it was a bit like Show and Tell in grade school. Do they still do that in school?

If you'd like to read more, here is a link to the notes taken during the talk and posted on the Dordt AIGA blog.

Coke Red

Coke Red | 5"x7" | oil on hardboard

I was walking through the grocery store with my wife a few weeks ago, and spotted some classic Coca-Cola 8oz. bottles alongside these sleek new red aluminum versions. I love the look and shape of the old iconic bottles, but have to admit these sleek red containers are very cool looking. I thought it might make a good painting so I picked up one of each.

SOLD