Lynette Fransen was born and raised in eastern South Dakota. Her mother died when she was young and her father raised their four children alone. Her flair for drawing and painting began in grade school. A teacher’s appreciation and encouragement set the stage for what was to come years down the road.

Lynette’s passion for life, people, relationships and her love for the Lord have been her inspiration. After her father’s death in 1992 with Alzheimer’s, she felt motivated to begin her publishing company, Ruth’s Images. She dedicated this company to her parents’ memory. It seemed quite fitting to name her “art” company Ruth’s Images because her mother’s name was Ruth Imogene and her father’s name was Art Daly.

Lynette is a self-taught artist. Realism in her paintings is what she strives for. Her favorite mediums are acrylic and pastel. Painting pictures of dogs – “Man’s Best Friend” – has always been her favorite; she has the ability to capture their unique personality and that special look of an animal friend. Her talent has earned her the prestigious award of Wyoming Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year. Lynette’s painting “Tall Tales” won second place in the Iowa Ducks Unlimited contest and was subsequently chosen for Iowa’s Ducks Unlimited National Print Series #1. Ducks Unlimited has also promoted her work in their clothing lines. Over the years, several of Lynette’s works have been selected and included in the Wyoming, Iowa, and Wisconsin Ducks Unlimited State Packages. She has been the Featured Artist for organizations such as South Dakota Farmers Union and the Nile Stock Show and Rodeo in Billings, MT. In 2011 and again in 2014, Lynette won the Grand Prize at the Petroleum Club Art contest in Casper, WY. In addition, one of her original paintings, “Shadow Dancers,” was chosen and purchased for display at Sage Living in Jackson, WY.

Lynette enjoys creativity in both her work and choosing each painting’s title. She enjoys the painting even more when there is a clever title attached to it. You will see this for yourself as you browse her web site and see paintings such as Lab-ratory, Mask-er-raid and Roll Call.

In recent years, Lynette has expanded her art line to include painting nature’s wildlife: bison, elk, deer, grizzly & black bear, antelope, moose, and Bighorn Sheep. These paintings are especially appealing to many audiences, but particularly those visiting Yellowstone National Park. As part of the “Inspired by Yellowstone” series, Lynette has enjoyed showcasing her art work as the Artist in Residence at the Old Faithful Inn and the beautiful Lake Yellowstone Hotel. Gift shops at Lake Yellowstone Hotel, Old Faithful Inn and Mammoth Hot Springs currently feature and sell her art work. The prints of “Family Time” and “Triple Play,” featuring the famed Grizzly #399, will be available in those gift shops

Lynette has also had the privilege of being Artist in Residence at several locations in Custer State Park in South Dakota. Her artwork has been purchased by people from all corners of the world.
Recently she has introduced the Western tradition of painting horses. One of these entitled, “Close Up”, was chosen for the Wyoming Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition 2016. This will be the eighth year Lynette has taken part in a Fundraiser for Feeding South Dakota with the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation.

Lynette is the mother of three grown sons. She is now enjoying the additional blessings of daughters-in-law and grandchildren. She resides in Casper, Wyoming with her husband Larry. She is active in her community and in supporting various charities. Lynette continues to host shows in Casper as well as show her work at several galleries around the country. Lynette’s art work can be seen and purchased on her web site www.ruthsimages.com.