ARTIST STATEMENT
I am a somewhat shy but welcoming oil painting artist from Anchorage, Alaska. I find it much easier to depict my personal experiences on a canvas than to voice my personal opinions to a group. Although I may be soft spoken, I am highly determined in my artwork. I cannot seem to stop this constant flow of creativity from my soul. My body of work is a direct result of my passion for painting and desire to enjoy the new experiences God creates every day.
Each and every painting I create is a depiction of the beauty I see while exploring Alaska and enjoying life. Being a lifelong Alaskan has caused me to fall in love with its extravagant landscape. I am inspired by the glaring contrast of a sunset, the luscious greenery seen while hiking the mountains, swirling cloud formations found in the summer sky, and the crisp yet smooth reflection of light upon the sea. Nothing compares to these memories I have made in this place I call home.
An overarching theme of my work is enjoying every precious moment. Life is short. Thus, I must not wait to pursue my dreams. The lively energy of my vivid brush strokes depict the passion I strive for so as not waste a moment. Similarly, my vibrant color palette reflects the joy I have found in living life to the fullest. Lastly, I have decided to utilize a large format for many of my paintings because it creates a greater visual and psychological impact, making for a longer lasting memory.
My painting style is influenced by artists throughout history such as the bright and colorful landscapes of Monet, the energetic painting style of John Singer Sergeant, and the emphasis on surface texture by artists such as Van Gogh. Present day artists that influence my work include: the vibrant Alaskan Landscape oil painter Steve Gordon, the California based oil painter Hyatt Moore, and the expert oil painter/instructor from Evangel University Michael Buesking.
Art is my preferred method of communication to express personal experiences. Whether I want to depict the natural beauty of my Alaskan home or convey the characteristics of those around me, I strive to communicate my personal experiences accurately and passionately through my artwork.
Each and every painting I create is a depiction of the beauty I see while exploring Alaska and enjoying life. Being a lifelong Alaskan has caused me to fall in love with its extravagant landscape. I am inspired by the glaring contrast of a sunset, the luscious greenery seen while hiking the mountains, swirling cloud formations found in the summer sky, and the crisp yet smooth reflection of light upon the sea. Nothing compares to these memories I have made in this place I call home.
An overarching theme of my work is enjoying every precious moment. Life is short. Thus, I must not wait to pursue my dreams. The lively energy of my vivid brush strokes depict the passion I strive for so as not waste a moment. Similarly, my vibrant color palette reflects the joy I have found in living life to the fullest. Lastly, I have decided to utilize a large format for many of my paintings because it creates a greater visual and psychological impact, making for a longer lasting memory.
My painting style is influenced by artists throughout history such as the bright and colorful landscapes of Monet, the energetic painting style of John Singer Sergeant, and the emphasis on surface texture by artists such as Van Gogh. Present day artists that influence my work include: the vibrant Alaskan Landscape oil painter Steve Gordon, the California based oil painter Hyatt Moore, and the expert oil painter/instructor from Evangel University Michael Buesking.
Art is my preferred method of communication to express personal experiences. Whether I want to depict the natural beauty of my Alaskan home or convey the characteristics of those around me, I strive to communicate my personal experiences accurately and passionately through my artwork.
BIOGRAPHY
Unlike most typical parents, Zane’s father and mother strongly encouraged him to pursue his passion for painting from a young age. As a child, he naively used his art for countless hours of entertainment and as a method for pleasing others. However, once he started his professional training, oil painting quickly developed into his impassioned method of communication. Zane is most impacted in his art of painting by the people he meets and the places he sees. He has been given the opportunity to study his craft with several professional painters from a variety of locations.
Early on in his beautiful hometown of Anchorage Alaska, Zane developed a love for nature’s lustrous landscapes under the guidance of the professional oil painter Steve Gordon. Steve Gordon encouraged him to paint scenery in the attractive impressionist style of the artist Monet and to develop a taste for a brighter and more invigorating color palette. He became inspired by the glaring contrast of an anchorage sunset, the luscious greenery seen while hiking the mountains, swirling cloud formations found in the summer sky, and the crisp yet smooth reflection of light upon the sea. The beauty Steve Gordon captured of Alaska’s landscape never ceased to amaze Zane.
Soon after his time with Steve Gordon, Zane learned to maintain a loose and more energetic painting style from another esteemed oil painting artist named Hyatt Moore during his stay in the artist’s personal studio in Dana Point, California. To Hyatt, a painting should be seen as more than just another photo realistic image. Instead, a painting calls for the passionate energy of swift and vivid brush strokes to reflect the artist’s evident passion for his craft. Hyatt encouraged Zane to work long hours throughout the day, break out of his restricting comfort zone, but still preserve a light-hearted approach of energetic and vigorous painting. Zane’s stay in Hyatt’s personal studio was truly an exhilarating and inspiring experience for him.
Following his intensive stay with Hyatt Moore in California, Zane refined his unique painting style and became motivated by painting from life under the instruction of professor Michael Buesking for 4 years. Inside and outside the studio of Evangel University. Zane learned that painting from life had become one of his greatest motivations for his artwork. Many of his friends willingly sat and modeled for him for hours at a time in efforts to aid Zane in his endeavors as an artist. Painting his friends and other scenes from life became very motivating for Zane.
The summer after graduating from Evangel, Zane took a 3 week trip to Italy with the Evangel Art Department to see and study the many pieces of artwork, locations, and architecture he had studied previously for 4 semesters of Art History. Stopping in Florence, Rome, and Venice, Zane was amazed by the immense size and beautiful quality of the cathedrals, paintings, and sculptures. The larger paintings in Italy especially made a dramatic impact on Zane's desire to continue utilizing a large format for his own paintings. The stories each Master painter had told was recorded elegantly on each canvas. One day, Zane hopes to someday return to Italy to study the masters once again for a short season.
Now home in Alaska, Zane continues to hike and search the Alaskan landscape for people and places that inspire him to paint. While further honing his craft, his passion for painting has only increased. It is his refined and choice method of communication. Whether he wants to depict the natural beauty of his Alaskan home or the characteristics and values of people, Zane strives to communicate his personal experiences accurately and efficiently through his artwork.
Early on in his beautiful hometown of Anchorage Alaska, Zane developed a love for nature’s lustrous landscapes under the guidance of the professional oil painter Steve Gordon. Steve Gordon encouraged him to paint scenery in the attractive impressionist style of the artist Monet and to develop a taste for a brighter and more invigorating color palette. He became inspired by the glaring contrast of an anchorage sunset, the luscious greenery seen while hiking the mountains, swirling cloud formations found in the summer sky, and the crisp yet smooth reflection of light upon the sea. The beauty Steve Gordon captured of Alaska’s landscape never ceased to amaze Zane.
Soon after his time with Steve Gordon, Zane learned to maintain a loose and more energetic painting style from another esteemed oil painting artist named Hyatt Moore during his stay in the artist’s personal studio in Dana Point, California. To Hyatt, a painting should be seen as more than just another photo realistic image. Instead, a painting calls for the passionate energy of swift and vivid brush strokes to reflect the artist’s evident passion for his craft. Hyatt encouraged Zane to work long hours throughout the day, break out of his restricting comfort zone, but still preserve a light-hearted approach of energetic and vigorous painting. Zane’s stay in Hyatt’s personal studio was truly an exhilarating and inspiring experience for him.
Following his intensive stay with Hyatt Moore in California, Zane refined his unique painting style and became motivated by painting from life under the instruction of professor Michael Buesking for 4 years. Inside and outside the studio of Evangel University. Zane learned that painting from life had become one of his greatest motivations for his artwork. Many of his friends willingly sat and modeled for him for hours at a time in efforts to aid Zane in his endeavors as an artist. Painting his friends and other scenes from life became very motivating for Zane.
The summer after graduating from Evangel, Zane took a 3 week trip to Italy with the Evangel Art Department to see and study the many pieces of artwork, locations, and architecture he had studied previously for 4 semesters of Art History. Stopping in Florence, Rome, and Venice, Zane was amazed by the immense size and beautiful quality of the cathedrals, paintings, and sculptures. The larger paintings in Italy especially made a dramatic impact on Zane's desire to continue utilizing a large format for his own paintings. The stories each Master painter had told was recorded elegantly on each canvas. One day, Zane hopes to someday return to Italy to study the masters once again for a short season.
Now home in Alaska, Zane continues to hike and search the Alaskan landscape for people and places that inspire him to paint. While further honing his craft, his passion for painting has only increased. It is his refined and choice method of communication. Whether he wants to depict the natural beauty of his Alaskan home or the characteristics and values of people, Zane strives to communicate his personal experiences accurately and efficiently through his artwork.