$1,800 Sogns Song of Spring (view of Sogn Valley, Cannon Falls, Minnesota) signed 1994 pastel 17.5" x 35.5"
Frederick D. Somers
Fred Somers has been painting full-time since 1975 at his farm-home-studio near Northfield, Minnesota. His oil and pastel paintings, known for their peaceful sensitivity, reflect themes from the land. Whether in intimate views of grass, rocks, and water with reflections of light and sky, or in spacious vistas of the countryside he seeks to share the hidden places of nature.
Fred’s pastel paintings of the Big Woods State Park near Northfield were chosen for the 1996 Minnesota State Park Permit design. He also continues to inspire others through his painting workshops in the U.S. and abroad. Since his designation as American Swedish Artist of the Year in 1984 he has continued to exhibit and teach in Scandinavia.
Since 1975 he has been a full-time studio artist focusing on exhibitions, commissioned works, and gallery sales. From 1970 to 1975 and 1980 he was an instructor of painting, drawing, printmaking, art education, and gallery director at St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges in Northfield, Minnesota.
Somers received an MA in drawing and MFA in painting from the University of Iowa, and a BFA from the University of Omaha.