Frederick D. Somers: Miracle of Waters

Online exhibition

January 15 - April 11, 2021

Fred Somers paints the extraordinary beauty of ordinary places: the first flower of spring, the incredible visual symphony of changing seasons.  Whether working in Minnesota’s woods and streams, a Great Lake’s shore or a Scandinavian lake, whether the view is spacious or intimate, he shares creation as he sees it in what has been described as “explosions of light, water and leaves in wonderful pastel and oil paintings.”

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Fred Somers is an internationally recognized painter and teacher who lives and works from his farm-home studio near Northfield, Minnesota.  His numerous awards include the 2020 induction into Pastel Society of America Hall of Fame, 2014 and 2009 Prix de Pastel from the International Association of Pastel Society where he is a member of the Masters Circle and Eminent Pastelist- their highest honor. A Signature member of the Pastel Society of America and of Oil Painters of America, Fred’s pastel and oil paintings are included in more than 500 public and private collections in the US and abroad. After teaching at St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges in Northfield, he became a full-time artist in 1975.  Fred continues to teach workshops for pastel, oil artists here and in Sweden where he has been honored as American – Swedish Artist of the Year. 

“One of my major artistic breakthroughs happened on a winter’s day while I was walking alone on a thickly-wooded trail, freshly blanketed with deep snow. Ahead of me was an outcropping of limestone covered with hoarfrost. As I leaned in closer to examine the frosted holes and crystallized patterns, I suddenly voiced out loud, ‘How amazing is this winter’s frozen jewel!’ I quickly took my camera out to capture the scene, but what happened next was a breakthrough, an insight that was transformative in the way I now see and paint nature. From my lens, at a distance, seeing the total context of the snow, trees and rock was beautiful, but taking an intimate, close-up view, with my own eyes, proved to be much more profound and powerful -a breathtaking perspective.

By removing the larger context and focusing on the microcosm view of the frosted borders, I saw a glorious abstraction of color and light. This viewpoint captured what was seemingly not visible before, but a new reality through creation had shown forth. For the first time, I saw what was far more real to me - through nature’s ‘borders and betweens.’ Since then, this abstract approach to my work helps me see my Creator’s infinite and miraculous fingerprints found in nature. This journey has been an amazing mystery and gift. As my eyes turn to behold the waters before me, I see an eternity - the blue of heaven washed like royal lapis lazuli colors and it gives me a perspective in these grassed bordered prairie waters: a mirror and light of heaven’s gift.

This exhibition of artwork is my witness and is especially comforting after the recent loss of my dear wife, Avis (1945-2019). Light continues to shine even in the darkness of loss and grief because faith goes beyond the borders of our human point of view and understanding.

My journey as an artist from the known to the unknown continues to offer me inspiration for the pursuit of truth, beauty, and excellence. My hope is to share the light of God and His promise through my paintings to the hearts and eyes of the viewer.

We who are finite humbly pick up these oil and pastel pigments to portray the sacred and infinite. How silently the gift is given. I give thanks.  

Paint what you love, walk in the light.” - Fred Somers

Gallery

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