I am painting a few trout portraits to honor our aquatic friends. I caught the largest trout of my life on my birthday. I always catch and release fish but they are netting these Mackinaw trout to reduce their numbers. They are serious predators and clearly get huge! This fish was 17.85 lbs and 36″ long! It is providing a lot of meals for the family!
I have been recycling painting panels lately. Finding old paintings, removing the paint and starting new work. I dug this one out, always drawn to something about it. I put a few hours into it yesterday. Now it will live to fight another day, like me.
I had s little commission last week of the northern lights. I decided to do a second painting which I finished over the weekend!
Also I saw a moose Saturday!
Another small painting inspired by a beautiful wildlife refuge in North Idaho! The preserve is called Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge. It is nearly to Canada in the Idaho Panhandle.
I painted this over the weekend, just a final glaze this morning.
I am doing a little series of cloudscapes with the sun concealed but still very present.
Another new painting in the studio. This one is bound for Elliott Fouts Gallery, that hour glass is draining quickly! I need to deliver these paintings in early January.
Again I find myself focusing on filtered sun and a dramatic sky with this painting. I have some exciting plans that are just a bit of a departure from my typical work… stay tuned!
I also have some paintings available at a super cool gallery in Missoula. Check out the link!
https://radius-gallery.myshopify.com/collections/brian-sostrom
This painting is mostly about the light. It does also have a regionally famous peak as its namesake. This lovely mountain is east of where I live in North Idaho. I can see the peak when I am out on Lake Pend Oreille.
Last year I took a small plane ride from Dover Bay that flew directly over the peak. At the summit a small herd of mountain goats were milling about. Now when I see Scotchman Peak I think about the goats.
Another painting inspired by Lake Pend Oreille in North Idaho. This one has some lovely and subtle color transitions. I have found it difficult to get an accurate photo of the painting but this easel shot wasn’t bad.
A little landscape from my neck of the woods. The natural world always providing ample drama and inspiration.
My collection of four campfire paintings. I sold one of these and thought I better get a “family” photo of them before I mail off the purchased piece. These paintings are all 8″x10″ plus the dimensions of the floating frames.
I am starting a large collection of small works (and writing a long letter on a short piece of paper). After so many exhibits this year I am resetting a bit and approaching my work in a little different way. I am always experimenting and exploring.
brian sostrom 