21 Under 31: Young Artists to Watch in 2014

Colorado

Patrick Duke, Blue River Bend, oil, 30 x 40.

Art Education: Bachelor of fine arts degree from Western State Colorado University in Gunnison, plus workshops at Santa Reparata International School of Art in Florence, Italy, and the Sahli School of Art in Evergreen, CO.

Style: Contemporary plein air.

Creative Spark: I’m grateful to live where I do. Crested Butte is a landscape painter’s dream. Every day I walk outside, and I’m given another idea for my next painting. Each seasonal change unfolds differently from the previous years, and this refreshening of the landscape inspires me.

Other Passions: Fly-fishing, traveling, teaching, cooking, hiking, camping, soccer, and snowboarding.

One Thing People Don’t Know About You: I haven’t owned a television in almost 10 years.

Best Advice Received: From a professor at Western State Colorado University, Don Eugene Seastrum: “Think. Plan. Do.” From painter Don Sahli: “We must learn not to be so judgmental about our own brushwork.” From painter Shaun Horne: “Paint every day, find your own path, and eventually, people will notice you.”

Biggest Fear: That the TSA will rummage through my painting box, again.

Pet Peeves: Perfectly straight lines, oversize signatures, and group text messages.

Favorite Work by Another Artist: I am constantly inspired by seeing incredible works by Clyde Aspevig, Scott Christensen, Tim Deibler, Don Sahli, Stacey Peterson, and Nicholas Reti.

Price Range: $500 to $18,500.

Featured in the September 2014 issue of Southwest Art magazine–click below to purchase:
Southwest Art September 2014 print issue or digital download Or subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss a story!