“Three,” 18×24-inch acrylic on canvas.

Oddio Nib began making his mark on the Duluth art scene in the early 1980s with paintings representing a diverse array of styles. His profusion of work includes hundreds of images, and in the coming months, the Duluth community will have the opportunity to view an extensive retrospective.

The plethora of paintings from Nib’s 40-plus years of living and working in Duluth’s Emerson School Apartments will be on display and up for sale in June and July at Zeitgeist Arts. Lizzards Gallery has already begun showcasing several of his paintings.

Nib’s outlook is evident: “Even in the very beginning, I was just playing with paint. Paint is my sandbox. Each piece is unique, and each one is an experiment unto itself.”

There’s excitement to his compositions.

“At times, I returned to similar places with different tools and different techniques,” Nib said. “I find positive energy inside complicated composition.”

“Caveman Emerging,” (detail) 19.75x 27-inch acrylic on canvas.

Even into this spring, his positive energy shines through as Nib faces health issues.

His vivid work has taken many forms. He uses primarily acrylic paint to compose whimsical caricatures, portraits and cartoons. He also paints impressions of the natural world and abstract works. His bright colors are characteristic of his work.

“I put vibrant, bold colors into play,” he said. “They vibrate into statements. The colors are unafraid, unassuming, playful and joyful. The strength of the color carries each piece and the relationships between the colors carry its intensity.”

Zeitgeist Cafe’ Gallery will exhibit Nib’s work from May 14 to July 30. The opening event will be held Wednesday, May 14, 4 to 6 p.m.

Oddio Nib in his studio.

Zeitgeist Atrium Gallery opens an exhibition of some Nib’s larger paintings from July 2-30. A reception will be held on Wednesday, July 2, from 4 to 6 p.m.

A grand gala will held on Wednesday, July 30 from 4 to 6 p.m., and will close the café and the atrium event.

Artists Carolyn Olson and Scott Murphy are curating the Zeitgeist exhibits.

A full catalog of Nib’s Work is online at oddionib.com.

“The birds and the bees, and everything else”