Water Painting: By The Water


Water and the way it reflects and bends light, while constantly moving, has always fascinated me. Its unique characteristics often only become apparent when it’s captured in a photograph. It then can take on painterly qualities reminiscent of the works of artists such as Jackson Pollock


I live, work and play around the transformative nature of water. Growing up in Fargo Moorhead of the Red River Valley, water always demanded attention. It was a lead character in all our lives, both life giving and volatile. Life giving by providing food and water to nourish the land and body, but also volatile with it powerful currents and devastating floods in the spring. 

I have always lived near water, currently in Park Rapids, MN with the headwaters of the Mississippi, Fishhook River in my backyard, Big Man Trap Lake while at work and a family cabin on Strawberry Lake near the White Earth Reservation where I observe its beauty first hand throughout the seasons. Observing water in its purest form, its moods, its color, with light sparkling on it, objects floating in it, reflections upon it and people immersed within it. Water is irresistible as it gives an endless array of resource and inspiration.

I wish to create interesting, peaceful images to express the feelings of serenity and solace that I find when I am by the water.



Rippling water surface creates abstract patterns of blue and brown reflections in natural light.
Rippling dark blue water surface with wave patterns creating abstract reflective textures.
Abstract reflections of golden and blue colors rippling on dark water surface creating a mesmerizing pattern.

"What I try to capture with my work are nature's lessons. The line I try to walk is to keep its beauty intact, with just enough manipulation and reorganization to let you - and the universe - know that I was there. On the Lake. In the forest. Listening to the language of roots, water and sky." - Bill Thorburn

Aerial view of dark blue ocean waters meeting icy formations creating a moody winter seascape.
Tranquil water surface reflecting soft pink and blue sunset colors in gentle ripples.
Textured surface of dark blue frozen lake water.
Dark blue rippling water surface with subtle wave patterns reflecting cloudy sky.
Rippling blue water surface with sunlight reflections creating a serene pattern of waves and movement.
Aerial view of calm blue water surface reflecting clouds in a peaceful seascape.
Calm lake surface with lily pads and reflections of clouds and tree branches framed by foliage at sunset.
Abstract water reflection of trees creating a green and yellow pattern on the calm lake surface.
Abstract reflection of autumn trees in rippling water creates a painterly pattern of green and orange colors.
Abstract blue and black symmetrical pattern with mirror effect creating a blurred ethereal design against turquoise background.
Symmetrical abstract pattern of golden leaves and branches against a blue background creates a kaleidoscopic effect.
A blurred abstract golden shape resembling wings or feathers against a light blue background.
Dark rippling water surface with blue reflections and wave patterns creating an abstract aquatic texture.
Rippling blue water surface creates mesmerizing patterns of light and shadow reflections.
Dark rippling water surface with light reflections creating a blue abstract pattern of waves and movement.
Abstract winter tree branches against bright blue sky create symmetrical mirror pattern artwork.
Icy stalactites frame a bright blue winter sky with bare tree branches visible through the frozen formations.
Abstract blue and gold kaleidoscopic pattern with spiky geometric shapes radiating outward against dark background.
Abstract kaleidoscopic pattern in brown and blue tones creating an ethereal textured design.
Abstract water reflection in orange and blue creating a symmetrical pattern.
Rippling dark blue-green water surface with textured waves and light reflections creating an abstract pattern.
Ice bubbles and plant matter frozen in translucent blue winter lake surface.
Abstract mirrored pattern in grayscale showing ice formations creating symmetrical designs.
Frozen bubbles trapped beneath ice create ethereal white spots against dark background.
Dramatic lighting on rough stone wall texture with central seam.
Tree branches reflected in blue water with floating debris.
Ice crystals and frozen bubbles form patterns on dark frozen lake surface.
Abstract reflection of trees creating vertical green and white striped patterns on water.
Inverted reflection of cloudy blue sky on calm water surface.
Distorted water reflections of green plants creating abstract vertical patterns.
Dried cattails standing against dark blue rippling water background.
Sunlight reflects off rippling dark blue water creating abstract patterns of light and shadow on the surface.
Golden sunlight reflects on rippling water creating abstract patterns of yellow and brown.
Dark water surface reflecting silhouetted tree branches against a deep blue background.
Golden sunlight sparkles and reflects off rippling water surface creating a shimmering pattern at sunset.
Sunset light reflecting off dark rippling water creating deep blue and orange patterns.

A lake is a landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.

Henry David Thoreau

Kaleidoscopic nature pattern with warm autumn colors and vertical symmetry.
Mirrored forest reflection creating an abstract pattern in golden and green tones.
Symmetrical abstract pattern featuring autumn trees and reflections in orange and green.