Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Scott Christensen conducts free plein-air painting demo Aug. 13 at Grand Teton NP

The Grand Teton Association invites the public to join world-renowned artist Scott Christensen on Saturday, August 13, 2011, 2-5 pm, for a live plein air painting demonstration at Grand Teton National Park's Cathedral Group. The event is free and open to the public. 

Largely self-taught, Christensen became an artist via a circuitous route. Born in Lander, Christensen quickly developed his aesthetic. It was not until college, however, that he would recognize nature as his muse. While attending Nebraska’s Chadron State on a football scholarship, Christensen sustained a severe neck injury that left him unable to compete.  Christensen sought solace in fly fishing, and he visited his grandfather, a wheelchair-bound amateur oil painter. The scent of oils stirred Christensen’s imagination, and he took a leap of faith, enrolling in art classes. In 2007, he moved from Jackson, Wyoming, to Victor, Idaho, and built a studio. That studio has become a salon of sorts, a gathering place for peers.  

Christensen is influenced by such masters as Isaac Levitan, Alphonse Mucha, Joaquin Sorolla and Anders Zorn. The latter’s luminous work inspired Christensen’s limited palette. Equally present in Christensen’s paintings are the effects of literature, music and football.

Christensen’s paintings are included in significant venues, such as the National Academy of Western Art; Prix de West Invitational at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum  in Oklahoma City, OK;  the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, OK; National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, WY; Denver Art Museum; Kimbal Museum; Salmagundi Club in New York; Autry Museum; the Salon d' Arts at the Colorado History Museum; and GTNP's Craig Thomas Visitors' Center. 

About the Series: “Artists in the Environment” is funded by the Grand Teton Association, an organization whose purpose is to promote appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of the Grand Teton National Park and the Greater Yellowstone Area. Free to all, viewers are invited to bring a chair, a snack, and those who would like to are welcome to paint alongside the artist.  Look for the big, bright "Artist's Demonstration" banner!   

Contact for Scott Christensen: Rick Jamison   rick@christensenstudio.com   707.494.7649

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