Randall Exon is an expressionist painter born in Vermillion, South Dakota. He earned his BFA in painting at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, and later an MFA at the University of Iowa. Painted while the artist was still a student at Washburn University, the scene is from Topeka in the late 70s. Exon is well known for his highly realistic body of work, with an especially keen technique for capturing water, light, and shadow. The reflection in the windows of this early work showcase an early understanding of these principles. The painting itself is highly similar to another piece during this time period, now part of the Mulvane Art Museum's permanent collection. His later paintings have ended up in public and private collections all over the world, including the Allentown Art Museum, PA, the Woodmere Museum, Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, PA; the Hirschl & Adler Modern, New York, NY; the Charles More Gallery, and the Lavit Gallery in County Cork, Ireland.