Wayne Evans Meineke

Wayne Evans Meineke was born in Minneapolis Minnesota on July 13, 1949 to Evans Meineke & Arlene Anderson Meineke.

Wayne is preceded in death by his father Evans Meineke and his mother Arlene Meineke. Wayne is survived by his wife Sue, step-son Eric Eikens, step-grandson Ethan, step-daughter Nicole Eikens Jenabzadeh, step-grandchildren Adel, Seth, Lyla. Sister Patty Selness (David), nephew Jesse (Katie) Connor, Evan, nephew Ben (Stacey) Hanna and Karli, nephew Andy (Keli) Ella, Britten, Chloe, Asher, Isaac, niece Christa Van Zee (Matt) Caleb, Imogen, Anna and Joshua, brother Steve Meineke (Julie) niece Nisa.

Wayne was gifted by God to be an artist at an early age. He painted this horsey painting for his grandmother when he was four years old (can be seen on meinekeart.blogspot.com ) Wayne’s allergist would ask Wayne to bring a drawing of a particular wildlife to his next appointment. Wayne painted a picture each year for the family Christmas card to send. He would also paint Christmas scenes on the picture window in their living room. In college Wayne got “F’s” in art. Wayne went to Colorado working a period of time as a biology textbook illustrator. Wayne worked for Naegele Sign Company where Wayne became interested in painting LARGE paintings.) He painted ads such as the Marlboro Man and the Velvet Lady. Coincidently Wayne met the Marlboro man while painting a homestead in Jackson Hole. What a surprise!

Wayne’s art portrayed natural colors and a sense of atmosphere, dimension and a quality of light form. Wayne was devoted to the methods of painting impressionistically, making his paintings outside from the landscape with first hand accurate observation and attention to the landscape. Wayne spent many hours observing the wildlife world surrounding him. “I usually begin a painting with a general idea as to the bird or mammal and with a general feeling for the composition. Then I start searching for the perfect landscape. Upon finding the right setting, Wayne completes several landscape paintings or color sketches at different times of the day in order to find the best light for the subject. After initial field work he moves indoors where he sketches the subject onto his final canvas and returns outdoors to complete the painting. (Wayne at times would save smaller mammals in the freezer to paint from, which came as an unexpected surprise to his sister.) Wayne took his brushes and easel through Europe, Alaska, Colorado and other wilderness areas in North America. Wayne has published many successful limited edition prints. He was awarded best of show in the 1983 Minnesota Wildlife Heritage Art Show. His work has also been exhibited in the Charleston, S.C. Southeaster Wildlife Art Expo, National Wildlife Federation Art Show, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. His landscape of the Grand Canyon was chosen by Arts For The Parks as one of the one hundred paintings to tour nationally promoting the National Parks. This national tour for Arts For The Parks also included an exhibition in the Smithsonian.

Wayne’s passion was to glorify God by painting God’s creation! He enjoyed sharing his faith as he painted with those who stopped to watch him paint. Wayne loved camping! He felt closest to God when up north or places like the Grand Canyon. Wayne and Sue were blessed to have four and a half wonderful years of marriage, rich in memories.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wayne’s wife, Sue.

memorial service

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services