I had an idea for a thread that I hope will be participated in by the members of the forum. I think it would be cool to post links or works from mentors living or dead that the members of this forum admire or draw inspiration from. I have a difficult time narrowing the window as there is so much great art that I decided I would narrow it to five to start the ball rolling.

One of my early inspirations was William Hook. He paints in Acrylic and has an amazing sense of color. http://www.williamhook.net

No inspirational artist list would be complete with out Clyde Aspvevig. It is my belief that seeing one of his paintings in the flesh will change an artist forever. http://www.clydeaspevig.com

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Another artist that I cannot leave out is Scott Christensen. I had a chance to see the above painting in the flesh this last summer. I am convince that it is impossible to photograph accurately great art. http://www.christensenstudio.com

I cannot leave out Carlson. This is not my favorite painting by Carlson but a good one none the less. Something I am quite excited about is that Scott Christensen is friends with the Carlson Family and has spoken to them about having a showing of Johns work at his new studio in Driggs. I have never seen John’s work in the flesh, but would travel a thousand miles to do so.

All right I have to quit here, because I said that I would keep it to five. I can’t leave Payne out of the mix. I have seen his work in person and it is brilliant. No website for him, but his infamous book Composition of outdoor painting is still in print.

I look forward to what the rest of you will bring to this thread.:)