A little inspiration from Hawaii. I went most of my life never visiting the islands but traveled there twice this year. Lately I have been fantasizing about retiring there… I probably won’t retire just fall over.
House of Light (studio)
Tag: inspiration
Winter Light
Another small snow painting. This one from the deck of my studio which has far too much snow weight on it. I should have done more shoveling before it turned rock hard. I guess painting wins out on most of the projects I need to do.
Shine the Way
A large new painting in the studio this morning. Continuing work on these 24”x36” panels, great size with room to roam. Inspiration is from my home water, Lake Pend Oreille.
Departure
Short winter days often bring dramatic conclusions. As pretty as the sunset is looking to the East is often more dramatic. The snow covered mountains get blasted with the final shot of sunlight.
January Scenes
Scenes from just outside my studio (eagles filmed through my studio window). This is where I draw my inspiration, the endless well. North Idaho is snow country which can be tough but it is also incredibly gorgeous.
I had a friend in college named Andrew Hofmeister. He was a retired art professor at Washington State University. He was a huge artistic influence on me, I wish I would have told him that. At the time he owned a family vacation home on Flathead Lake in Montana. He let me stay up there periodically, in the basement of his cabin. Mr Hofmeister told me “be inspired but don’t let the view dictate your painting”. I think about that a lot, I hope he would appreciate my work now. I am pretty directly influenced by nature but it is the mood and movement of paint that are my key subjects. Now I have a studio and live roughly half way between WSU and his former cabin in Montana.
Dawning (reels)
This painting is now availability through Abend Gallery in Denver, Colorado.
Descending Shadows
This is one of the new paintings I am working on in the studio. I have decided to spend my days making large pieces. I am preparing some very large panels in a variety of sizes. Excited to see what will come…
Salted Sand
I was fortunate enough to spend Thanksgiving in Hawaii with family. Grateful for the trip and inspiration.
Haunted Edge
Drawing inspiration from the low autumn sun. This time of year can bring a sense of melancholy. I also get excited for the massive hours of studio time ahead. I am leaning into the season and finding some magic for my work.
Greeting Dawn (SOLD)
This small painting just sold through Grand Bohemian Gallery in St Augustine, Florida. This was a painting I did last Fall. I find myself again, this year, painting forest scenes in intense autumn sunlight. Clearly this time of year that low sun brings inspiration.
brian sostrom 