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20 December, 2016

Minnesota Made – Charles Beck-According to LiLu

Minnesota Made Charles Beck
You just never know when inspiration is going to hit. Curled up on my sofa a few weeks back, watching my favorite station, Channel 2 (okay, I'm a nerd) I was brought to tears by a profile of an artist from right here in Minnesota. Although quite well-known around the state and country, I had never been introduced to Charles Beck and his amazing work. I was incredibly moved by his woodcut prints.
I immediately jumped on my laptop and googled him. I found a small non-profit gallery called Kaddatz Galleries in Fergus Falls that sells numerous Beck pieces. Better yet the gallery's focus is on art education and appreciation, existing to provide public access to Beck's and other local artists' work. His work is handled here, in the Twin Cities, at the Grand Hand.

[caption id="attachment_5557" align="aligncenter" width="364"] Charles-Beck-minnesota-artist-Interior-Designer-55405.jpg Charles Beck[/caption]
A Brief Biography
Here's what Kaddatz had to say about Charles Beck:
"One of the most recognized artists in Minnesota, Charles Beck continues to be influenced by the landscape of Otter Tail County. He was born in 1923 in Fergus Falls where he lived until his death in 2017. , He began drawing in grade school where he would trade his works for candy and marbles. Beck attended Concordia College in Moorhead in the 1940's where he studied art under Cyrus Running. Sports Director Jake Christiansen convinced him to play football (another important aspect of his college career). Beck credits Running and the Christiansen brothers (Jake and Paul) at Concordia as being great influences in his life. Beck graduated from Concordia in 1948 after taking time off to serve as a pilot in the Naval Air Force. He continued his education at the University of Iowa where he received his Master of Fine Arts degree in 1950, and then returned to Fergus Falls where he worked as a sign painter. In 1953 Beck enrolled at the University of Minnesota where he studied under Cameron Booth, Walter Quirt, and Malcolm Myers. It was at the U where Beck was first introduced to woodblock prints, and he completed his first print The Holy Family. Beck joined the faculty at Fergus Falls Community College (now Minnesota State Community and Technical College or M State) in 1960 where he taught for 27 years. Concordia granted Beck an Honorary Doctorate in 1980, and in 2006 M State honored Beck by naming the new gallery after him. Beck's subject matter is the landscape and nature of Otter Tail County. Instead of an exact representation, Beck attempts to create an interpretation of his own experiences and vision."
I love that his work has regional appeal. I had such a strong reaction to it because it reminds me of my home, my grandparents' farms and the beauty of the upper Midwest. Run, don't walk...his pieces are beyond affordable.
Become inspired by Minnesota's own: Charles Beck
Check out some of our other favorite artists:
Meet Mary Jo Hoffman
Ann Wood- Amazing Maker
Element Clay Studio

[caption id="attachment_5554" align="aligncenter" width="446"] Evening Chores, 15" x 21"[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5555" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Survivors-Minnesota-Made-Charles-Beck-Interior-Design-55405.jpg Survivors, 11" x 25"[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5556" align="aligncenter" width="434"] Wheatfield-Minnesota-Made-Charles-Beck-Interior-Design-firm-55405.jpg Wheatfield, 10" x 14"[/caption]