A framed painting of a large green rubber duck with goggles floating in a lake surrounded by mountains and wilderness. — Finished painting by Albert Bierstadt and Seamus Liam O’Brien, 2026.

Thrift Store Painting Collaboration Continues - Upcycling Albert Bierstadt

September 28, 2026

I recently purchased a large framed print by the artist Albert Bierstadt at an estate sale in Minneapolis, MN. The reproduction print is a copy of an original painting titled, ‘In the Mountains’ (1867) that is located at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, CT. I painted a rubber duck wearing a green wetsuit, goggles, and flying red and blue burgees on the print, and this piece was purchased by a couple in Mpls who had read about my rubber duck project in the Star Tribune. Thank you for your support!

Man holding a framed painting in front of a thrift store — Holding the finished painting in front of St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Store before donating it; 2026

Thrift Store Painting Collaboration Continues - Upcycling Robert Duncan 'Winter Friends'

February 1, 2026

A St. Paul resident reached out to me about donating a framed print for my duck project. She thought it was “ripe with inspiration,” and she was right! The framed print, by the artist Robert Duncan, illustrates a young boy constructing a snowman in a field, accompanied by a dog and another child observing from the sides. Originally titled, “Winter Friends.”

I painted a large snowman-themed rubber duck on the print and returned this ‘new’ painting to
St Vincent de Paul Thrift Store…

Framed painting of a young boy constructing a snowman in a field with a dog a small child observing from the sides. — Original framed print by the artist Robert Duncan purchased at a thrift store in west St. Paul.

Thrift Store Painting Collaboration Continues - Upcycling Robert Duncan

January 18, 2026

A St. Paul resident contacted me recently regarding a donation of a framed print for my duck project. The framed print, created by artist Robert Duncan (the second piece I have done with this artist!), illustrates a young boy constructing a snowman in a field, accompanied by a dog and another child observing from the sides.

I painted a large snowman-themed rubber duck on the print and plan on returning this ‘new’ piece back to a thrift store sometime this winter. But I think…I think with this project I’m going to try something new….

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