Stephen Datz

Artist Statement:

Plein-air painting, for me, is about more than simply finding picturesque subjects for my brush. It is a journey of discovery, rooted in a solitary, contemplative approach to Nature. Immersed in the sensations of a time and place, I make a quiet effort to distill the essence of my experience into a painting that will speak to the hearts and minds of viewers, enabling them to share in its enjoyment.

Though representational, my paintings are not strictly literal depictions of the landscape. Nature furnishes the inspiration, but I strive to conceptualize each composition so as to clearly emphasize one specific idea— an idea that best embodies my inspiration and its emotional impact. In both my location and studio works, my approach to painting is deeply rooted in my love for strong, dynamically structured design and vibrant, engaging color.

And while Colorado has always been, and will always be, my home, I very much enjoy traveling. The diversity of landscapes and ecosystems found across this country is truly amazing to me. I thoroughly enjoy the thrill and challenge of exploring new places and attempting to capture some sense of their unique qualities on canvas.

It has been said that life is about the journey, and not the destination, and so it is with me. My paintings are pauses along the road— meaningful moments in my life given form. I aspire to make them glimpses beyond the surface of both subject and artist and into the essential nature of both.

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