Growing up in Montana and having a life full of state history and exploration, Colt Idol finds great joy in Western iconography.
Steam Engine, oil, 48 x 36"
“Beyond the subject matter, however, I like to push dramatic natural elements that we all know—light and color. I want to achieve maximum drama and emotionality,” Idol says. “In art principle terms, I spend the most of my time with value and color control. I want to stretch my lights and darks to have the full value range. I look to find interesting color usage that is typically saturated but controlled and, most importantly, exciting. If you know anything about the West, than you know there is drama in our landscapes, sunsets and stories. I’d like to get a bit of that in each of my pieces.”
Firelight, oil, 30 x 30”
Many of the settings in Idol’s paintings are from areas he’s traveled to while camping, hiking or exploring to gather inspiration. “I don’t use my camera too often but I’ll take notes to remember the setting. With a sunset, for instance, I’ll note the shapes of the clouds, a lengthy description of the in-person color, descriptors I get when in the setting—ominous, quickly-changing, strangely powerful, cloaking, etc.—and the paint colors I’d need to recreate those colors,” the artist says. “When back in the studio I’ll strongly lean on those reference points to try and recapture the drama. I’m steering myself towards the process of painting from the soul—cheesy right? It may be, but my best work comes when I’m focused on the soul of the painting and letting that be the overarching guide.”
Looming Uncertainty, oil, 36 x 48"
Idol will next show his work at The Russell from March 15 to 16 in Great Falls, Montana; March in Montana, also March 15 and 16 in Great Falls; and the Scottsdale Art Auction on April 12 and 13 in Scottsdale, Arizona. —
Want to See More?
www.coltidolart.com
(406) 212-7330
Represented by Legacy Gallery
Santa Fe, NM
www.legacygallery.com
Instagram: @cidolart
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