Blog

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.