Tiit Raid

Tiit first considered becoming an artist back in fifth grade, which means Tiit “made images” – his phrase – for over 70 years. He earned a BFA and an MFA at the University of Minnesota. Tiit was a much-loved and respected art professor at UW-Eau Claire, where he mentored countless students from 1967 to 2002.

He often painted in acrylic, of panoramic natural scenery, many of them water scenes. Tiit Raid is known for Panoramic landscape painting and being an art educator. Tiit admired artist Winslow Homer and his quote, “The sun will not rise, or set, without my notice and thanks.” He insisted it be incorporated into his last show. The full Homer quote includes this: “The life that I have chosen gives me my full hours of enjoyment for the balance of my life.” That could easily have been said by Tiit Raid. Tiit painted in his home studio every day, often to the lull of the Golf Channel. During the past two years his paintings were influenced by perfect designs found in the natural world.