Well, hello there.

I begin this blog on the morning of my business's 4th anniversary weekend.  Some of you may have heard of it.  It's a small pub, gallery and music venue in Winona, MN with no name.  Some folks have dubbed it Ed's (no name) Bar, and we've co-opted that title for its Website... edsnonamebar.com

To make a long story short, I moved to Winona from Seattle, WA in the spring of '07.  In Seattle, I worked at the Hale's Ales brewery and showed art at a number of great venues around the city.  I lived and kept a studio in the neighborhood across the ship canal from Fremont  in an area my roommate and I dubbed Queen Anne's Arse.

This recent stint in Winona isn't my first.  I grew up there, attended public schools there and tried to make a go of it for a year after high school by working four jobs there.  I was a young barman at my parent's pub outside of town, ran a camera for the local cable access station (under the tutelage of local celebrity Al D. Light), worked at a record shop, and even tried my hand at making reinforced thermal plastic pellets at a local factory (don't try it. you won't like it).

In 1995 I decided to make a run for it.  I fixed up my step-dad's '82 Ford Econoline Van and decided to drive until I ran out of money.  Thus began my life of wondering.  

Over the years I have lived in the Puget Sound area twice.  I've traveled a bunch.  I managed an upscale deli and slung healthy drinks in a juice bar in The Virgin Islands, worked as a marketing manager for Bacardi and Jim Beam Brands in Minneapolis, got a degree from WSU, studied, taught, and walked in Spain.

In fact, my journey on The Camino De Santiago in Spain inspired a series of pastel drawings that provided the theme for many of my art shows while I was working in Seattle.

Painting and drawing have been a constant throughout my life.  Although I had some great teachers when I was a kid, I am primarily self-taught.  As a student of history, my work often looks back to artistic schools of the past -I let reference be my guide- but I always strive to continually develop my own recognizable style.  

I'll begin by sharing some recent work in this blog.  I'll probably include some flier design and older pieces from time to time.  

Occasionally I'll post about my processes, and let you know when I have a show somewhere.

Cheers!

Ed