Clemens is Unison Artist of the month for November

Frank Clemens is the Unison Artist of the Month for November. His paintings can be viewed at Unison Bank.

A lifelong resident of Jamestown, Clemens worked in cement and plaster for many years until 2011 when he retired for health reasons.

Clemens was introduced to painting almost accidentally at Jamestown College when he agreed to join a friend in taking an introductory course. Intrigued, Clemens opted for more.

Clemens attempts to grasp and recreate the nuance of light, color and shape that surrounds him. Though slow to progress at times, he finds satisfaction in his results.

This may be due to learning and relearning innumerable times the fact that insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.

In the past few months Clemens has pursued a renewed interest in landscape, particularly the North Dakota prairie. He relishes the contrast of the Sheyenne Valley with the gently sloping grades here in Stutsman County, as well as those that occur between the seasons.

The most significant change in my approach to art since his retirement has been to cover the canvas quickly and strive to finish a painting in one session. It may take two or three.

Tags: diversions, arts