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My painting, “Sand Mountain Spring” won the top award in OPA’s 2022 plein air wet painting competition. I spent the last week in Steamboat Springs, Colorado for the Oil Painters of America 31st National Show and Convention.  This is an elite showing of the top representational oil paintings by living artists in the Americas.  With such an amazing group of artists in one location, it’s OPA’s tradition to have a wet paint competition in which we are given a couple of days to paint on location, from life.  As you can imagine, the resulting paintings were amazing and a real treat to see in person.  For my painting, I found a lovely scene Northwest of town that had the beautiful snow capped mountain, blue sky with fluffy clouds, and a gentle warming and greening-up of the landscape as it flowed down to the verdant pastures below.  There were even cattle grazing (can you see them in my painting?).   Well, on Friday night, during the big award ceremony, in front of a ballroom full of amazing artists, collectors, magazine publishers, editors and gallery owners, Dave Santillanes announced that my painting was the best in the Plein Air wet paint competition!!!  My heart was pounding as I made my way on stage to be recognized.  In fact, I felt completely overwhelmed with emotion and fought back tears in that joyous moment.  I’ve been wondering why tears, instead of a high-energy celebration?  I hate being so emotional but it’s how I’m wired.  I have worked over a decade on my painting skills, striving for poetry, eloquence and emotion in each new piece; always pushing my best.  I really want to paint great paintings and to make my living from it.  Receiving recognition for something I want so badly is validation that I’m on track and my dreams are coming true.  Of course the winnings and publicity are amazing too, but it’s the validation that brings the flood of emotion.  That emotion is how I know this is what God wants me to do with my time here.  Thank you for being on this journey with me.   With love and gratitude - Scott

Click HERE to acquire this piece.

The right frame perfectly compliments the work of art is surrounds and the home it will hang in.  In fact, a hand crafted frame is itself a work of art.

Watch as Bryan and Allyson, the husband and wife team at Bryan Smith Frames, carve and finish some custom frames for me.  The result is exquisite.  Enjoy.

Isn't that amazing?  True craftsmen doing the work they are passionate about.  If you choose a hand-made frame when you buy my paintings, you are helping two artisans do what they love!  Creating joy, one painting at a time.

All my best,

Scott

Rest here, breathe, listen to the breeze sift through the pines, experience this fleeting moment of the divine with me.

One look at my portfolio of work, and it's clear how much I love painting Colorado scenery.  I make the easy 1 hour drive to Rocky Mountain National Park multiple times per year to paint studies for larger studio paintings. 

On one such outing in March 2018, the air temp was just below freezing but the sun was shining and there was only a slight breeze making its way through the pines.  It was a glorious day to paint in the park and soak up this warm late-winter sunshine.  In fact, it felt balmy as I explored the area for inspiration.  That is until you step into the shadows and become keenly aware of the frigid conditions.  No problem, I'll just stay in the sun!  As I made my way up the banks of a small stream (a fantastic spot for catching Greenback Cutthroat Trout on the fly in the summer), I saw a warm glow emanating from something around the bend.  As I rounded the corner, sinking to my knees in a drift of snow, I could hardly believe my eyes. 

Now lets pause here for just a moment...you see, the major force driving me to paint is finding "fleeting moments of the divine" in our world and capturing them in my work.  Keep in mind, these moments happen all the time, just not so often when I'm actually prepared to paint them! 

So I round the bend and sitting on the opposite bank is this shrub absolutely ablaze in sunlight!!  Flanked by the cool, violet shadows of the tall pine and fir trees, this shrub seemed to radiate light and heat on its own.

I call these "fleeting" moments of the divine for a reason.  Knowing this, I immediately started a sketch in oil on a piece of paper but no sooner had I begun, the sun moved on and that moment was but a memory etched upon my brain.  I can still see it as I type, as if I'm there.  

Fast-forward a few months, back in my studio armed with my plein air sketch and that impression etched into my brain, I set out to re-create my experience in that moment.  I hope my painting takes you on a walk to that stream high in the Rocky Mountains, listening to the gurgle of the water flowing beneath the ice, feeling a slight shiver on the back of your neck from the cool, pine-scented breeze, captivated as you behold the magnificent sunshine absorbing into your skin as it bathes your face with a blanket of warmth. 

- Scott

"Center Stage" will be available at the 2019 Colorado Governor's Art Show at the Loveland Museum in Loveland, Colorado May 3rd through June 4th, 2019.

As I paint more nocturnes I'm learning more about what works.  Here are some key learnings I want to share with you.

Check out this quick video I made on YouTube: Nocturne Tips

I made the painting below over three sessions, starting at dusk each night so I could catch the transition where the lights on the dam were on but there was still enough light in the sky to make out the mountains and trees.

Happy painting!

You need not be Royalty or a titan of art collecting to commission a painting from an artist.  True, many a fabulous painting was done as a commission for royalty, celebrity or tycoon; J.S. Sargent, for example, had American aristocrats clamoring for a portrait during the 1890's.   Fortunately, you don't need Rockefeller's riches or Geffen's greenbacks to commission your own painting from an artist who's work you are smitten with.  

Here are the steps involved:

1. Find an artist with a style that fits your needs.  Don't expect a classical portrait from an abstract expressionist!

2. Investigate pricing.  Check their website or their galleries to see how much their paintings sell for.  Keep in mind, commissions usually cost a bit more since the artist is working to your specifications.  Therefore, it's smart to plan for an additional 30-50% over the going rate for their gallery work.

3. Contact the artist - go ahead, they won't bite!

- See if the artist accepts commissions.  Some don't because of real or perceived constraints on their time and creativity.  If they don't, that's ok...you're not going to get their best work anyway if they aren't comfortable with the working situation.

- Discuss your ideas about the subject, why it is meaningful to you, what you hope the painting captures or says about the subject.

4. Put the important details in writing.  Nothing fancy or complicated...just spell out the size, subject, medium, timeline, framed or not, shipping and price.

5. Agree to the terms and pay a deposit - yes, a deposit.  Unless you are family or a close friend, you should expect to pay a 30-50%, non-refundable deposit with the balance due upon delivery of the finished painting.  After all, the artist will spend time and money on a work that you are likely the only customer for.

Keys to success:

- Don't be too controlling.  Choose an artist with a style you like and let them apply it to your subject.

- Be flexible on the timeline.  The artist should give you an idea of when they can have the work done.  Remember though, we are working artists with other commissions, events, and upcoming shows to paint for and a rigid timeline can kill creativity.  You want an inspired work of art, not a production-line copy, so allow for some buffer.  Creativity and inspiration are sometimes hard to summon!

- Decide on framing and shipping up front.  These are costly elements and it should be clear what's included in the pricing up front.  

I enjoy painting commission pieces.  It's pure joy painting something so meaningful to a person and capturing its essence for them to cherish for years to come.  Do you have a special subject you would like me to paint?  Give me a call, I'd love to hear all about it!

And remember, when your friends compliment your stunning new painting, just say "Why thank you, I commissioned it directly from the artist".

Here are a few paintings I have done on commission:

Painting outside, on location is hard work - here are three items I find indispensable.

#1 Nite Ize S-Biner SlideLock

Turps containers are expensive and losing one while hiking really makes for an interesting day of painting.  This strong but lightweight piece of gear from Nite Ize allows me to clip my turps can to the outside of my backpack and actually lock the S-Biner closed using the sliding plastic knob things on each arm.  There are tons of uses for these and they come in several sizes.  $3-$5 ea.

Link to Amazon: Here

#2 Nitrile Coated Work Gloves

Marc Hanson told me about these and I use them all the time now.  They are a lightweight knit gloves that have a nitrile coating applied to the fingers and palm providing a waterproof surface with tremendous grip with no loss of dexterity.  The backs of the gloves aren't coated so they breathe well.  They stay cool in the summer and provide a bit of protection and warmth in the winter.  Tough, light and inexpensive - another must have.  There are several brands available.  About $1.50 a pair.  

Link to Amazon: Here

#3 Nite Ize Gear Tie

Basically a rubber-coated, giant twisty tie, these are so versatile you will want a few of them.  They are available in lengths from 3" to 64".  I use the 12" to secure my tripod and umbrella to the outside of my pack and smaller lengths to hang my pack from my tripod while painting (to weigh it down).  Although you can use them over and over again, they won't last forever...but who cares, they're inexpensive.  One tip - buy bright colors so you can find them easily if you drop one in the field.

Prices vary but you can buy a multi-pack of various sizes for about $12.

Link to Amazon: Here

Often overlooked, small items like these can make a big difference in your plein air experience.

If you have a great gear suggestion, let me know!

Scott 

[email protected]

Varnish is a clear coating, made of resin dissolved in a liquid which can be applied as a final layer to a painting.

I varnish my painting for three reasons:

1. Color saturation - Some oil colors lose their vibrancy when dry.  Varnish saturates the colors bringing back their original punch.

2. Surface uniformity - I personally like the surface of my paintings to have a uniform sheen.  Unvarnished paintings can have glossy areas and matte areas, depending on the oil color and if any painting medium was used.  I don't want this to distract the viewer.

3. Protection - The most important reason I varnish is because it protects the painting.  This clear coating provides a barrier to airborne contaminates and helps the painting age better.  

I prefer Gamblin's Gamvar varnish because it won't yellow with age and is easily removed with odorless mineral spirits if cleaning or restoration of the painting is ever required.

Learn more about Gamvar here: http://www.gamblincolors.com/varnishes/index.html

Here's a video I put together on YouTube: Varnishing Paintings

Here's a example of what varnish can do for a painting (the left side is varnished):

My painter friends and I have this secret spot in Rocky Mountain National park that we hike to in the Fall to paint.  I call it the cathedral because upon entering this grove of Aspen you are enveloped in golden light.  The breeze rattles the leaves like a million golden sequins rustling and shimmering overhead and gently raining down all around.  It is a magical place and while I was painting this piece, we had a heard of Elk bugling off in the distance.

An in-progress photo.  A wonderful day amid the bugling elk under this golden canopy.

If you have questions about any aspect of collecting just send me an email.  We can even set up a time to talk.

All my best,

Scott