BEMIDJI — The 26th annual Midwest Book Awards has recognized “Letters to Isabella: Paintings By Marley Kaul” as a finalist in the categories of “Autobiography/Memoir” and “Total Book Design.”

The book features 77 images of retired BSU art professor Marley Kaul’s egg tempera paintings.

Each is paired with a letter he wrote to his granddaughter, Isabella, sometimes while working on the piece.

When Kaul ’s daughter was pregnant with his granddaughter, he was dealing with a health scare that made him think about his mortality.

He started writing letters to his granddaughter that shared his artistic process and the influences reflected in his work, as well as his life story.

The noted artist’s work is in public and private collections, including the Tweed Museum of Art, The North Dakota Museum of Art, Plains Art Museum, Weisman Art Museum, the First Bank System, the Anderson Center, Minnesota Historical Society, 3M Collections and Minnesota Mutual Life.

Winners will be announced at the Midwest Book Awards Gala, to take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 13 at the Olson Campus Center at Luther Seminary in St. Paul.

Kaul is currently touring the state to promote his book.

Books signings will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Book World, 316 Beltrami Ave. NW in Bemidji and at 11 a.m. May 18 at Beagle and Wolf Books & Bindery, 112 Third St. W in Park Rapids.