“My intent with each painting isn’t a literal rendering of the scene, but rather to capture and convey its essence,” painter Dave Santillanes says. “In terms of composition, I look for simplicity. I’ve found that there are many opportunities to simplify a scene without compromising its sense of place. Therefore, I’ll seek out the big abstract shapes in the landscape and use them for the underlying design concept. And because I’ve departed from a literal interpretation, I’m free to rearrange elements to fit this concept. In this way I am able to describe the scene in my own words.”
Autumn Pasture Study, oil, 15 x 30 in.
The painter is a member of the Cowboy Artists of America, and also the Plein Air Painters of America, which will be having a show, Colorado Grandeur: Plein Air Painters of America 2025 National Exhibit, starting August 1 at the Center for the Arts in Crested Butte, Colorado. The show is being presented by Shaun Horne Gallery, and Santillanes will have work as a signature member of PAPA.
Sundown on the Slate Study, oil, 12 x 18 in.
Santillanes notes that he works from direct observation for his work. “But studying the physical aspects of nature isn’t the only reason I paint outdoors; for me, the sensory experience of being there is equally important,” he says. “There’s no better way to get to know a place on earth than to sit for a couple of hours and contemplate it while painting. This intense observation brings a spiritual intimacy with the scene that can’t be achieved in mere passing and allows me to ‘speak’ with complete sincerity in each painting.” —
Sunlight Red Barn, oil, 12 x 24 in.
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(970) 218-5119www.davesantillanes.com
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Represented by: Santa Fe Trails Fine Art
(505) 983-7027 » www.santafetrailsfineart.com
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