Showing posts with label David Geister. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Geister. Show all posts

Friday, September 25, 2009

David Geister - Artist and Illustrator

David Geister is a Minnesota artist who specializes in paintings of early American history and the landscapes and people of the upper Mississippi River. His work is used by historical institutions, appears in magazines and children's books, and adorns the walls of numerous collectors.

David Geister is an artist whose love of the natural beauty of the land and fascination with his country's history is celebrated in his work. He creates landscapes, portraits and depictions of historic events in a variety of mediums . . . oil on canvas, pen and ink drawings and watercolor sketches done in a nineteenth century style.

BIOGRAPHY
As a child growing up at the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers in Prescott, Wisconsin, Dave became immersed in the works of Mark Twain and Bruce Catton, and when he wasn't reading or reenacting battles with toy soldiers, he was drawing. Dave is a proud 1984 graduate of Dakota County Technical College, where he studied Applied Arts.
In addition, four years of service in the United States Marine Corps left him with a deep appreciation for the drama of American history and the desire to tell those stories.

Dave has worked for several years as a historical artist and illustrator and his paintings have been featured in The Military Collector and Historian, The Saturday Evening Post and several issues of The History Channel Magazine. His illustrations can be found in the Sleeping Bear Press children's books The Legend of Minnesota, The Voyageur's Paddle, The Legend of Wisconsin, Riding to Washington, and B is for Battle Cry: A Civil War Alphabet, written by his wife Pat Bauer.
The Minnesota Historical Society and many other state and county historical societies have called upon Dave's skills as a historical artist and interpreter for their sites. He can occasionally be glimpsed in costume portraying the frontier artists Seth Eastman or George Catlin. Dave appeared as Eastman in the award-winning Twin Cities Public Television documentary, "Seth Eastman: Painting the Dakotah." and even in an episode of Oregon Public Television's "History Detectives".

Dave lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his dear wife and stepdaughters, who share his love of history and art.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Patricia Bauer - B is for Battlecry-A Civil War Alphabet


A Civil War Alphabet

llustrated by David Geister

ISBN 978-1585363568

B is for Battle Cry: A Civil War Alphabet is a beautifully illustrated book that takes readers on a journey into the Civil War, which was one of the bloodiest, most divisive events to take place in America's history. For four years our young country's sense of self and citizenry was shaken to the core as North and South battled each other.

Each letter has a read-aloud poem accessible to younger children. The author wrote each poem to fit into Stephen Foster’s popular 19th century song “Hard Times Come Again No More." This song, as well as a Civil War parody and each poem set to the music can be downloaded from the illustrator’s website: davidgeister.com. The text that accompanies each letter is written at a higher level, and older children and adults will enjoy learning more about the historic battles, renowned leaders, inventions, and inspiring events and documents of the Civil War.

BIOGRAPHY
I am what is often referred to as a “veteran” teacher, which means that I’ve been around for a very long time!! My passions include history, music, art and literature, and I try to share those with my students.

I grew up in a loving family on the shores of Lake Waubesa near Madison, Wisconsin. Minnesota has been my home for most of my adult life and where I raised my two daughters. 1994 was a pivotal year because I completed my Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies from Hamline University, helped open a new middle school and began working as a seasonal costumed interpreter at Historic Fort Snelling. This is where I became fascinated with Minnesota history, as well as living history, and met the love of my life, artist David Geister, whom I married in 2002 in Civil War costume at Fort Snelling. I enjoy portraying nineteenth century characters such as Mary (Mrs. Seth) Eastman, Clara (Mrs. George) Catlin, Mary (Mrs. William) LeDuc and Abigail (Mrs. Josiah) Snelling. I am also an adjunct instructor for Hamline University, where we teach a course on Minnesota history, and I have given many workshops on using picture books to teach American history.

Though I have written for many years, B is for Battle Cry: A Civil War Alphabet is my first published children’s book. To be able to work with my husband on this book was a dream come.

Patricia is a member of the Children’s Literature Network