In 1974, the artist was awarded a sabbatical to study under Stanely William Hayter at his Paris studio, Atalier 17.

Throughout his artistic exploration the City of Chicago and the CTA Elevated train was often times the subject matter he focused on. This theme was incorporated using a wide variety of media.
At the end of his career as an art professor he opened the John A. Knudsen Workshop/Gallery in Michigan. Here he became very prolific and focused entirely on his own interests producing his work.

He began exploring printmaking at the University of Iowa under the instruction of Mauricio Lisansky. Much of his subject matter came from nature and landscapes of Northeast Iowa where he also studied fine art at Luther College.

After his first trip to Europe he returned often both as a professor of study abroad programs as well as gaining his own inspiration for his work.

Here are examples of his work using lithography and silkscreen techniques producing vibrant colors and contrasts.