-- Old German Prints
Artist Bios
Russell Sonnenberg
Russell
Sonnenberg is the artist behind The Yesteryear Collection, a series of 32
(and counting) tractor prints. His works have been very popular with tractor
enthusiasts. What fascinates these collectors about Russell Sonnenberg art
is his brilliant ability to capture the essence of nostalgia and bring it
back to the viewers' memory in vivid detail. "Oh, I remember," is a common
phrase that people often use when admiring one of his pictures.
Russell grew up in Kossuth County in Iowa about 26 miles northeast of Algona.
He had been quoted as saying, "I grew up in the horse and buggy days." He
began painting as a child mainly due to his mother's encouragement. Of course,
his life on the farm heavily influenced his work a lot. In his younger days,
he worked as a tractor mechanic at an Allis Chalmers dealership. His fascination
with Allis Chalmers is evident in the number of paintings he has done of
that specific brand. Over the past 42 years, he had painted various nostalgic
country and farm scenes. At the suggestion of his lifelong wife Audrey, "paint
what you know" he returned to painting tractors.
Russell enjoys feeling close to nature and purposely puts a burr oak in the
left side of his paintings. He has always felt that tree had its own character
and enjoys using it as a trademark that makes his work distinguishable from
all other artists.
Russell never entered art competitions or painted for fame, as so many other
modern day artists. He just wanted to paint something that would touch the
hearts of tractor collectors and people who have those nostalgic fond memories
of the farm life. People love to reflect back on the simpler times of the
forties and fifties. With this in mind, and a great deal of research, Russell
goes to work on each painting treating it as his newest masterpiece.
A great deal of research goes into each painting to make sure that it is
historically accurate. In order to pay very close attention to the mechanical
detail of the various tractor models, he used his camera to take photographs.
Russell said, "I take a picture of this part and then that part, plus I make
sure that I take the pictures a the angle I want so I can use them for reference.
Also, I like to take photos at 2:00 in the afternoon because then the shadows
aren't weird and the sun isn't as harsh as it is at noon. I also like to
have owner's manuals (as a reference)." Each painting requires about 150
hours of painting time, plus about 100 hours of research. He says each time
he has times himself, it comes up to be about the same for each painting.
Russell has painted many different models trying to make sure that nobody
gets left out. Many artists will focus on John Deere and International. Russell
paints models of Allis Chalmers, Minneapolis Moline, Ford, Oliver, Massey-Harris
and Case to round out the strong blend of collectible tractors.
Russell paints for the sheer enjoyment of the craft usually during the long
winter months in the basement of his home in Forest City, Iowa. He does not
paint in the summer as he is usually too busy with other activities.
Each of his paintings has a unique story to tell. He will be releasing four
new prints this summer. The stars of his painting are, of course, the tractors.
Rick Kelley
Rick Kelley's wildlife and western art is a visual journal of his life experiences and travels. It is the vision coupled with Kelley's scientifically and historically correct images that have made him one of the most popular and critically acclaimed wildlife artists today.
Robert Duncan
Robert Duncan was born in Utah and began painting at age eleven. He spent
summers as a boy on his grandparents' ranch in Wyoming where his grandmother
gave him his first set of oil paints. It was there that he grew to love the
country, the open spaces, and the rural lifestyle. Robert has painted professionally
for over 25 years. He studied art at the University of Utah and worked as
a commercial artist before his full-time dedication to the fine art of the
American West. He was elected into the Cowboy Artists of America at a young
age and won two silver medals in their annual exhibition at the Phoenix Art
Museum. Robert, his wife Linda, their six children, and a lively assortment
of animals reside in the little town of Midway in Northern Utah.
Jan Perdew
From rural southwest Iowa comes the artist Jan Perdew.
Her paintings are inspired from her memories of life and times
on the family farm. Some are created from concepts inspired by requests of
her clientele, photos of cars, farm equipment, family homes and farmsteads,
and favorite animals.
Jan does her mostly self-taught artistry on saws, canvas,
and scores of other objects. She refers to herself as a "genuine
recycler" turning unwanted, unused, and obsolete objects into
gorgeous works of art. She will, upon request, turn "that old
rusty saw that Grandpa used when I was a kid" into a cherished keepsake
to be proudly displayed.
With over 30 years of painting experience and the
encouragement from her husband, she began painting full time in 1986. Taking
her artwork on the road from 1987-1998, she then toured with the Silver Dollar
City Craft Guild, a traveling showcase of crafters promoting Silver Dollar
City, Branson, MO, until the group disbanded.
After the end of those tours she continues today with
various other sponsors at shows in the Midwest. Her three
children, Monte, Ashley, and Krystal have grown up during these years working
and learning at the craft shows with their mother.
We truly hope that the country charm of the paintings in
this site will find a place in your home and bring back many fond memories.