Josh Elliott has nature in his genes having learned the importance of and been inspired by painting outdoors from his father, Steve Elliott, the noted wildlife artist. Josh’s grandfather also studied with Grant Wood.
Beauty Way, oil, 40 x 48”
In the new paintings for his exhibition at Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery in Tucson, Arizona, opening March 30, he has pushed the envelope of his creativity. He says, “Truth in my work is important, but inserting my vision is equally important.”
In Beauty Way, for instance, he interprets the light reflecting off the walls of Canyon de Chelly, illuminating the tops of the cottonwoods and casting the horse and rider in a luminous, glowing non-light. He explains that the painting “has a very limited value range and is composed mostly with color variations and contrasting patterns. I was really excited about this concept that was inspired by Édouard Vuillard’s interiors with a similar motive.” Vuillard observed, “Conceive of a picture really as a series of harmonies,” which Elliott accomplishes here with consummate skill.
Badwater Basin, oil,20 x 24”
“I’m not aiming at true high realism,” he says. “I’m aiming at variety. It keeps it interesting for me and keeps collectors from saying, ‘I’ve seen that before.’ Painting remains a discovery.
“Badwater Basin is a very active composition, full of thrust and pathways, all leading with linear perspective towards the mountains of Death Valley surrounding the basin. I am fascinated by the patterns left in the salt after the water has evaporated.
Desert Day, oil, 12 x 16”
“Desert Day started as an on-location painting, and evolved a bit after I brought it back to the studio. Sometimes, once I am away from the source, I like to ask, ‘Can I take this in a different, more interesting direction?’ Medicine Man Gallery is very supportive of my desire to explore and try new things, and I am very grateful for that support. I feel I come up with some of my best work when I ask, ‘What if...?’
The painter continues: “As an artist, I use the tools we have to organize composition, value, color and simplifying shapes to express an idea. Art comes in when you depart from the absolute truth.” —
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