Artist Feature: Andres Torres

Andres Torres – Artist Feature

When I first moved to South Dakota, I was straight out of grad school and the high number of pheasant and black lab paintings that I saw everywhere were a bit overwhelming.  I was so happy to meet Andres and other artists working outside of the ‘Pheasant & Lab genre’ fairly soon after moving here.  Despite being a fairly rural state, South Dakota has a pretty amazing cohort of young artists making great work.  

I’ve been keeping an eye on Andres’ work ever since I met him about two years ago.  Each body of work he’s made has been better than the last, and I’m excited to see his work continue to evolve. 

"Aquafresh" - House Paint, Acrylic, T-shirt on Panel - Andres Torres

There is a wonderful playfulness in his paintings, and a great balance between purposeful mark-making and slightly obscured chaos. 

 "Lollipop" - House Paint, Acrylic, T-shirt on Panel - Andres Torres

There are subtle references to form, yet none are blaringly obvious – Andres stops each painting at the perfect point – without overworking or adding superfluous detail.  There is such beauty in the simplicity and interaction between forms in these works.   

 "Brown Rainbow" - House Paint, Oil, Acrylic on Canvas - Andres Torres

The eye calmly led through these works, yet there is also a sense of underlying uncertainty. 

 "Above and Beyond" - House Paint & Acrylic on Panel - Andres Torres

There is a focus on line, shape, and color in these works, but the slight imperfections and occasional sign of the artists’ hand in the work keeps them grounded and communicates the imperfections we find in our lives. 

I can’t wait to see more.  

Snail Painting Timelapse

I put together another quick timelapse of a painting that I'm currently working on.  It shows the initial layer of paint (the under-painting) being applied to the canvas.  This covers about 2-3 hours of work, and is done from observation.

I'm in the middle of the third layer now, and you can see the progress:

Now I've just got to 'tighten' everything up and add some of the small details.

I also packed up and delivered 30+ paintings to Brookings for my next show which starts next week and runs through the 19th of July.

Big thanks to the lovely assistants at the BAC who helped install the show!

I also may have picked up a few new 'subjects' at the thrift shop on my way home.

Hope you are all having a lovely and productive summer. :)

In the Garden

It is amazing how much a garden can grow in a few days!

Here's a peek at the progress:


Zucchini, radishes, raspberry buds, and baby basil!


Flowers, kohlrabi, and the first tomato buds.


Red onions, cucumbers, and beets.


Scallop squash, flowers, lettuce mix.


Swiss chard, the tallest tiniest adorable asparagus, and bush beans.

Colorado Adventure

Last week we set out on a road trip to Colorado to visit our good friends John & Heidi.  We did a ton of hiking and eating - and may have had a beer or two.

We had good weather the whole drive.  Some people bemoan driving through eastern South Dakota and Nebraska, but I love the rolling hills and wide-open spaces.

I also had a good amount of time to work on the lace scarf I've been chugging away at for what seems like ages.  It is finished now except for blocking!


We spent the first night in Denver, and then headed into the Mountains to John's parents' place to do some hiking.


John, Heidi, Nate, and I.

Snow!  It is much easier to hack a little bit of snow on the trails when it is 60 degrees and sunny.


At the 'Library' having a few drinks, and a ton of nachos.

On our last full day in the mountains, we set off on a 11 mile hike to Granite falls on the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Taking a break by the creek.

It was a great and challenging hike - we went through thick forest, meadows, nearby rivers, and then up to the falls.




On the way down we ran into a few Moose as well - this one was standing right on the trail.


It was a great trip, and it was a ton of fun to hang with John & Heidi.




The view from their apartment in Cap Hill on our last night in Denver. :)