Contact Steve by email stephenart@icloud.com or by phone in the U.S.A at 801-514-1336
Steve Chamberlain is an award winning artist with Best of Show in 2014 at both Escalante and Moab plein air competitions. His subject is light and the joyful expression of it. His paintings contrast light and the opposition that comes from the absence of light and color.
16x20 oil on canvas. I have been impressed by the Hudson River School's use of light. This study is based on Albert Bierstadt, "Among the Sierra Nevada Mountains". The changes I have made are based on my love of the Tetons and my appreciation for people in my life who have helped me find peace.
This amazing sunrise greeted my sister on the morning of a memorable day in Belize. I painted it for her.
Arabic for a quest, undertaken for the purpose of seeking divine knowledge. An eternal journey on a path of joy and happiness peppered with sorrow and opposition. To know the difference between the two and seeking God's knowledge and love is the quest.
Qatar
The desert of Qatar presented a wonderful challenge. Dust in the air created a beautiful filter for the intense sun and made everything glow in warm muted colors.
Sunset at the end of the road in the Persian Gulf. We drove as far as we could go, past Zekreet and forward to the Barooq Coast Guard Station. As we rounded the bend the last streaks of light cut along the sandy bluffs and emptied into the emerald waters. This was my wife's favorite scene of the day! She even helped me with the tones of the this painting, making sure that I didn't get the sand too "pasty".
The wind was blowing on an unusually cool December day in Zekreet, Qatar. Along the meandering shoreline we passed bedouin compounds with their huge water tanks, camper trailers, generators, green astro turf all walled in with fabric fences. However, this lone tent was holding firm against the steady wind.
Looking out our window pre-dawn I awaited the sunrise, and then the it burst instantly into view above the haze of the dessert. This painting was donated to the youth in Doha to attend a special conference in the Philippines. It was the highest bid (QR1500) at the event. I'm looking forward to sharing more art in Qatar!
I was painting the sunset, unaware that I was being carefully watched by a Qatari land owner who took this shot of me painting. We made a wonderful connection as we both admired this land he loved. We enjoyed learning from each other. He gave me a cold freshly squeezed bottle of orange juice. It was a cherished experience.
Learning about a wonderful culture has been enlightening. I was looking toward Mahmud's camel racing complex when he came to see what I was doing.
Camel racing is a must see if you ever visit Qatar! Driving alongside the racetrack as the riders from many different countries look at you taking pictures of them. A thumbs up will get you a smile and a laugh! We asked where they were from, Nepal, Pakistan, India, Yemen, Sudan, etc. At the end of the practice run they all reached for their cell phones to take pictures of us. In the Qatari desert, we met the world on a camel.
When I'm creating I sense a deep connection to the universe and feel the joy and love that exists there. I feel the sun, the wind and the rain. Sounds and colors come alive. It is that joy and connection that has given me such a passion and love for creating en plein air. My desire is that those who experience my art will feel the connection I felt while in that moment.
The first snowfall of the season with glistening silver white snow on the face of Mount Olympus at sunset. The lingering fall colors balance the stark new colors of cold.
8"x10" available
I had 3 hours to complete this painting for my first plein air paint off.
This painting won Best of Show at the Escalante Plein Air competition. I was pulled into this scene by the blueish gray Escalante Grand Staircase Monument fading into the distance.
Won Best of Show, Moab plein air competition. I knew there was one more painting that had to be experienced. When I found this scene I just stood there for 10 minutes letting it sink in before starting to paint. The calm and peace was jarred as a truck came roaring into the valley. The stark contrast in the painting reflects the opposition it created.
I painted this during the Zion Plein Air competition.
The first of three paintings. I laid on my back watching the eclipse for 3 hours going in and out of my trailer to paint, mostly with my finger. Incredible experience!
I tried to capture the emotions and colors as the moon was starting to set shortly after the full lunar eclipse.
I painted most of this the morning before the full lunar eclipse. While I was painting It looked normal but when I stepped back it was flat and gray. It ended up being perfect for the last, of three paintings, I experienced the night of the full lunar eclipse. All I added was the moon, sky and some night shadows.
Driving into Escalante, this scene screamed out to be painted. There was a huge thunderstorm coming so I only had about 15 minutes to paint. I threw my board on the sagebrush and started painting. There is sand, sagebrush and water spots to prove it is a plein air painting. I can still feel the emotions and excitement when I look at this picture of the painting.
This painting won third place in the Escalante Plein Air Paint Off. I was standing in the Escalante Trailhead parking lot when I painted it. When I was 15 I went on a month long survival experience. This is where it started.
Experimenting with water based oil. This study is from a painting by LeConte Stewart.
View from my Little Green Trailer at Hittle Bottom camp site.
I have had Texas on my mind. Hoping to paint a few paintings before we go there.
This turned out to be one of my favorites. I painted it using two complimentary colors.
Commission Work for Summit Water. This peaceful contemporary landscape creates a serene peace indoors. It's new home is in the conference room at Summit Water in Jeremy Ranch. 36"X48"
A companion to the East Canyon River Bend commission. Water companies need to hear and feel their precious commodity as they work. This is in the entrance of Summit Water Company in Jeremy Ranch. 18"x42"
At clipping speed it was done!!
4'x4'
The busy movement of the foreground represents the necessary opposition and hassle of the daily grind. Balanced by the calming blue and harmonious juxtaposition of the green and violet represents the peace and calm that comes at the end of a chaotic day.
48"x48" Acrylic on Canvas
Deep reds and strength of brush strokes represent Power and prosperity. The balance of complimentary green along with the orange and blue represent control amidst heightened competition.
56"x56" Acrylic on Canvas
Steve's patented Adirondack Lounge Chair is designed for comfort and beauty. With the innovative table that folds down to an ottoman it is the perfect out door furniture.
When a pot collapsed on the wheel, Steve stared pushing the clay around until it became what it wanted to be.
Patzers, (pronounced potzers), are inept chess players. Seemed like a good subject of Steve's pot people.
The first of all pot people.
Steve likes to make custom frames with materials from the area where he paints en plein air. When framed with the actual wood of the barn, building or surrounding trees and wood, it gives the painting deeper meaning.
Reclaimed wood for the frame is from the front door of and old building in the area.
The wood for the frame was repurposed from an old matching barn.
Frame built with wood from Drake farm house. Electric switch and insulation ceramic was used when electricity was introduced.
The frame was made from an aspen tree taken near one of Steve's favorite places on earth. The painting is one of Steve's choicest memories.
Wood was reclaimed from Mill Creek Canyon.
The aspen frame came from the wood pile where Steve's easel was set up.
The frame was built with wood from an old home in the area.
Experimenting with water based oils from a study of a Laconte Stewart, painted during a series of Mill Creek Canyon paintings. Frame is reclaimed wood from the canyon.
