Looking back and ahead

Hello Everyone,

2015 is almost over. At this time a lot of people like to look back on the past year and recount the events and decisions that were made while they look forward to the New Year. My faith teaches that this is a time to be thankful for what we have been given while we look forward to a New Year.

I want to take this time to thank all of you. Some of you are collectors, some are artists, some are followers of my work. You help make my work and career possible and more meaningful. And I thank you for that.

Blue Barn and Hay Bales
12x24 (Sold)

2015 has given me many blessings. Among them have been awards at plein air events, featured exhibits, having the honor to teach sold-out workshops, an incredible painting trip to Colorado (you can't beat having a massive bull elk run right past you only to clash antlers with another bull less than 100 feet away), and an increase in sales of my work from previous years.

The Overlord
18x36

I'm currently working on a new group of paintings for 2016. Most of these are from my trips out west these last two years, and I'm really pleased with the results. I'll be posting them sometime in the near future.

I will be teaching two workshops in Cary, North Carolina this coming year. The first one will be a plein air painting workshop in April; the later, in August, will focus on studio painting. More details will follow, but if you are interested please let me know. Last years workshop sold out, and given the very positive feedback and excitement of the students, I expect these workshops to sell out quickly.

I have also been asked to be the featured instructor in the Paint Along with Great Artists-Montana painting trip this coming September. Artists spend their days painting the surrounding area. In the evening everyone meets together and the featured instructor gives instruction and critique in a relaxed setting. This will be a fun, relaxing and informative event for any artist who desires to paint the beauty of Montana and grow as an artist at the same time. Contact Joanna at animldoc@comcast.net to inquire about more details or to sign up.

Duckweed and Breeze
24x18

My next exhibition will be at the Southeastern Wildlife Expo (SEWE) in Charleston, SC this coming February. This last SEWE was my best show ever with my 12 Days of SEWE Christmas exhibit selling out before the show even opened.

I will also be having a solo exhibition at the Pennsylvania Arts Experience Gallery in York, PA this coming May. More details will follow.

I wish everyone a Happy 2016 and I hope to see you at an upcoming event.

Sincerely,

Jason Tako
www.JasonTako.com

Merry Christmas!

Hello Everyone,

I want to wish all my collectors and followers of my work a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I'm working on some new paintings based on the reference material I got on my trip to Colorado. I will be posting these sometime in the new year. In the meantime enjoy the paintings below, which express my longing for a white Christmas.

Country Snow

Oil on linen, 18x24

$3,000, contact Highlands Art Gallery at 908-766-2720 to inquire

Ozark Mountain Barn

Oil on linen, 12x24

$2,500, contact Highlands Art Gallery at 908-766-2720 to inquire

Soft & Silent

Oil on linen, 18x24

$3,000, contact Art & Soul Gallery at 717-761-1270 to inquire.

See more at www.JasonTako.com

Sales

Hello Everyone,

Highlands Art Gallery in Lambertville, NJ, one of the top fine art galleries on the East Coast, sold three of my paintings this last weekend. Many thanks to Cheryl at Highlands for all her hard work. The last three paintings in this post are the ones that sold.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

Jason Tako
www.JasonTako.com

Cottonwoods

Oil on linen panel, 11x14

$1,200-SOLD

Blue Barn and Hay bales

Oil on linen, 12x24

$2,500-SOLD

Teal in Morning Mist

Oil on linen, 18x24

$3,250-SOLD

www.JasonTako.com

The Sharkstooth Peaks

Sharkstooth Peaks

Oil on linen panel, 12x12

$1,200. Contact Jason at Jason@JasonTako.com to inquire.

The Sharkstooth Peaks are in Rocky Mountain National Park, near Emerald Lake. I climbed up a series of large boulders in order to paint a field study that was used for this studio painting. I was attracted to the strong diagonals, offset by the vertical trees. The clouds provide some abstract relief to a composition that otherwise has very strong directional lines. This area was very peaceful and the beauty was incredible.

Lake of Glass

Hello Everyone,

It has been several months since I last posted on my blog. In September, my family and I went to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. I was able to get incredible reference material that I'm working on translating into paintings.

The painting I posted today is of Lake of Glass, a beautiful alpine lake that is surrounded on three sides by a cathedral of mountain peaks. To get there, one has to hike almost 4.5 miles with a 1,700 foot elevation gain. Keep in mind you start out at over 9,000 feet above sea level. I did this hike with 30 lbs of painting gear on my back. I knew a camera would not capture all the beautiful colors or the large feel of the mountains.

The hike was long but beautiful. I passed through cliffs, lakes, waterfalls, wooded creeks, and a field of boulders as I got higher and closer to my destination. Almost at the end of the hike, in order to reach Lake of Glass, one must do an almost vertical 30 foot climb up the side of Timberline Falls. As I started to climb I almost panicked because I could feel the weight of my backpack pulling on me. So I climbed back down.

I stood there for a few minutes, debating if I should just give up and go back or take the risk and climb. I had trained for months to make this hike, but I didn't want to break my neck going up the waterfall. Finally, I emptied by backpack of the excess things I knew I wouldn't immediately need and hid these things in a nearby bush. I then made the climb. When I got over the rocks my breathe was almost taken away by the incredible view, as well as the incredibly strong and cold wind that blasted my face. The wind can be very strong when you are over 10,000 feet above sea level.

After I set up my painting gear I realized I had accidentally unpacked my white paint and left it below the waterfall. So I climbed back down, got the paint and climbed back up. I did two field studies while there. Later, another artist who had made the climb arrived and painted next to me. It was nice to have some company. When my second painting was completed I packed up and made the climb back down the waterfall. I was happy to get back down without breaking my neck. After that I made the almost 4.5 mile trek back to my car.

I had never been so exhausted as I was after that hike, but the field studies have proved invaluable in recording the atmosphere and colors I saw. And I felt a sense of accomplishment in overcoming my fears in making the climb.

This painting is a studio study, oil on linen panel, 14" x 11". I have already started a large version which will be 48" x 36". This study is available at Highlands Art Gallery in Lambertville, PA. If you are interested in adding this beautiful painting to your collection contact Highlands at highlandsart@comcast.net.

Lake of Glass Study

oil on linen panel, 14" x 11"

$1,200, framed. Contact Highlands Art Gallery to inquire: highlandsart@comcast.net

See more at www.JasonTako.com

Governor's Mansion Exhibit

Hello Everyone,

I'm happy to announce that my painting Regolith Shadows has been selected to be exhibited in Governor Tom Wolf's Mansion in the Pennsylvania Arts Experience Exhibit. This exhibition begins this September.

My trip to Wyoming last autumn was incredibly inspiring. From our cabin window we could see the Ramshorn, a mountain peak in the Absarokas. On the second morning of our stay I headed south and painted the Ramshorn from the town of Dubois. That little field study resulted in the painting below.

Morning Light on the Ramshorn captures the dramatic shadow patterns on the desert-like foothills that lay before the Ramshorn Peak. Contact Jason at Jason@JasonTako.com to inquire.

Morning Light on the Ramshorn

Oil on linen, 12"x24"

$2,500, framed.

Contact Jason at Jason@JasonTako.com to inquire.

Regolith Shadows

Oil on linen, 30"x24"

Accepted into PAE Exhibit in Governor Tom Wolf's Mansion. 

Autumn on the Wind River

Hello Everyone,

"Thunder on the Prairie" sold at Highlands Art Gallery. Many thanks to Highlands!

My latest painting was inspired by a scene near the Wind River in western Wyoming. This butte, in the Wind River Reservation, caught my attention as we traveled north along Highway 26 to our cabin in Dubois, Wyoming. My wife and children played along the Wind River while I painted and photographed. It was a gorgeous autumn morning, listening to the sound of the water as I painted.

The composition of this painting was based upon the harmonic divisions first discovered by the Ionian Greek mathematician Pythagoras. In the foreground is an old Cottonwood Tree that is barely hanging on for life, yet still displaying beautiful autumn colors. The main tree branches, as well as the shoreline of the river and parts of the butte follow the Pythagorean divisions. The path on the left, along with the river, lead your eye into the scene and echo the slant of the butte. The thin branches contrast the mass of the rocks while the straight line of the river adds stability to a scene that is otherwise composed of angles.

This painting would look wonderful in a cabin, home or office. Contact Jason at Jason@JasonTako.com to inquire. See more at www.JasonTako.com.

Old Cottonwood & Butte

Oil on linen, 18"x24"

$3,000, contact Jason at Jason@JasonTako.com to inquire.

Thunder on the Prairie

Oil on linen, 18"x24"

$3,000-SOLD

Among the Cottonwoods

Oil on linen, 24"x36"

$7,000, contact Jason at Jason@JasonTako.com to inquire.

Show Acceptance!

Hello Everyone,

I'm happy to announce that my painting "Aspen Serenity" 11"x14" was accepted into the Invitational Small Works Show at Howard/Mandville Gallery in Kirkland, WA.

Aspen Serenity

Oil on linen panel, 11"x14"

$1,200, contact Jason to inquire about availability.

Among the Cottonwoods

Oil on linen, 24"x36"

$7,000, contact Jason at Jason@JasonTako.com to inquire.

Among the Cottonwoods-Moose

Hello Everyone,

I apologize for taking a long time to post. I have been working on several paintings and when I get into painting, I often neglect other things like eating healthy, exercise, social life, and blog posts.

Below is one of my latest and probably one of my best wildlife paintings to date. I spent weeks doing preliminary studies and working out the composition, which is based on golden section proportions. I saw this scene at Gros Ventre Campground in Grand Teton National Park. It was the peak of autumn and the colors were blazing. A mother moose kept careful watch over her calf as they quietly walked among the golden cottonwoods on a perfect autumn morning.

This painting sings with sunlight and brilliant color. The eye dances through the pattern of the cottonwood trunks and rests on the moose before going back into the deeper part of the trees on the right side of the painting. The fallen branch on the left echoes the angle of the moose's body and neck. The foreground sage brush is created with thick strokes of impasto paint applied in an abstract manner which creates an interesting texture up close, but when the viewer steps back these strokes transform into the realistic look of sage. The large cottonwood trunks also echo the large feel of the moose while the small branches and leaves add variety of shape.

This painting would look beautiful over a fireplace, or gracing the walls of a log cabin or a vacation home, or impress your colleagues by hanging this in your office conference room. Contact Jason@JasonTako.com to inquire.

Among the Cottonwoods

24"x36", oil on linen.

$7,000 framed.

Contact Jason@JasonTako.com to inquire.

History Meets the Arts

Hello Everyone,

This Friday begins History Meets the Arts, an incredible show put on by Lord Nelson's Gallery in Gettysburg, PA. For those who have been there, you know the incredible quality of art at the show, created by some of best known artists in the genre, as well as the custom-made black-powdered long rifles, 18th century knifes, powder horns, furniture and historical books that are also exhibited and sold at the show.

I will be featuring a new set of paintings at this years exhibit. While many artists in the past have created narrative and landscape paintings based on the Lewis and Clark expedition, I have created a unique set of five paintings based on mammals that were scientifically discovered and documented on the Corps of Discovery Expedition.

This is a unique combination of wildlife art and historical art. And to emphasize this, I have hand-written in 19th century script, excerpts from the Lewis and Clark journals where they first describe these animals they experienced. These excerpts are written on parchment and mounted on foam-core for display with the corresponding painting. Each painting, as well as the descriptions can be viewed below.

This is a unique set of paintings for the wildlife art lover, and the elegant hand-written description give each painting a historical interest. Each painting is 11"x14", oil on linen panel, $1,200 separately or $5,000 for the entire set ($1,000 savings), each description is 8"x10" and is included with the price of the painting. I hope you will come to History Meets the Arts to see this one-of-a-kind collection of paintings and add them to your collection. If you cannot come to the show, but would like to add these paintings to your collection, contact Lord Nelson's Gallery at 1-800-664-9797, or email me at Jason@JasonTako.com

Awards and Sales

Hello Everyone,

I'm honored to announce that my painting "Painted Paints" (see below) received the First Place Award at Plein Air Camp Hill! This years show had some of the strongest work ever in Camp Hill. My thanks to Dennis Akin, Professor Emeritus of Fine Arts at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA and judge of this years event, and to all the other artists who participated and created such beautiful work.

Along with First Place, my quick draw painting (see below) received the Plein Air Magazine Award of Excellence as well as the People's Choice Quick Draw Award. This was an incredible event for me, not only for the awards and sales, but even more for the fact that I stumbled onto something that has rarely been tried at Plein Air events, painting animals from life.

I will be showing a special exhibit of wildlife paintings based on the Lewis and Clark Expedition at History Meets the Arts, June 12-14th in Gettysburg, PA. Don't miss this incredible event. See more of my work at JasonTako.com

Painted Paints
First Place Award Plein Air Camp Hill

$1,500-Sold.

Evening Paint

$1,200-Sold.

The Dentist's House

Plein Air Magazine Award of Excellence and People's Choice Award.

$1,000-Sold.

Sunset (not pictured due to the fact I couldn't get it photographed before it sold)

$500-Sold.

Jason with his quick draw painting in front of the subject.

Plein Air Camp Hill Tonight!

Hello Everyone,

This evening is the opening for Plein Air Camp Hill. This year I decided to challenge myself and paint a subject that constantly moves, horses. For me, this was a much longer process than the typical landscape painting executed en plein air. I spent the preceding weeks sketching horses from life to learn their anatomy and movement. This was important because during plein air competitions you cannot use photography in the creation of your work, and I knew the horses would not pose for me for the final painting. I also created a barn painting, one of my favorite subjects to paint. However the horses, while very challenging, were a delight to paint, and I may continue to explore painting animals en plein air.

Click here for more information on the Collector's Preview Party this evening.

Painted Paints

Oil on linen panel, 12x16

$1,500, framed.

Evening Paint

Oil on linen panel, 11x14

$1,200, framed.

Fresh Hay Bales

Oil on linen panel, 11x14

$1,200, framed.

12 Days didn't last 12 minutes

Hello Everyone,

I'm very excited to announce that my 12 Days of Christmas wildlife exhibit didn't even last 12 minutes at the Southeastern Wildlife Expo. Thursday afternoon. before the Preview Night even opened, a very prominent art collector was allowed to look at the art. And before walking out without buying anything, he and his wife saw the 12 Days exhibit and bought it on the spot for the special Thursday night purchase price of $11,000 for the entire set. I have to say it was a wonderful feeling to start the show with such a great sale. The set received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from collectors as well as artists. My thanks to the people at the Southeastern Wildlife Expo for putting on such a great show.

This weekend is another incredible show, NatureWorks in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I will have some of my newest work at this prestigious event (see below). If you can make it, do yourself a favor and attend this incredible show. Click here for more information. I hope to see you there.

Jason

Golden Corridor

Oil on linen, 16"x12"

$1,500, framed.

The Fight

Oil on linen, 12"x24"

$2,500, framed.

Pronghorn Study

Oil on panel, 8"x10"

$500, framed.

Regolith Shadows

Oil on linen, 30"x24"

$6,000, framed.

The Overlord

Oil on linen, 18"x36"

$6,500, framed.

New paintings and SEWE!

Hello Everyone,

The Southeastern Wildlife Expo is this coming weekend in Charleston, SC. As I stated in my previous post, my special 12 Days of Christmas project will be exhibited there along with some new paintings which I have posted below the the 12 Days images. If you can make it to this incredible event please stop by my booth and say hello. The 12 Days project is a unique project that has never been done before. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind event.

The 12 Days of Christmas

All paintings are 9"x12", oil on linen panel and will be available at the Southeastern Wildlife Expo this weekend. If you are interested in bidding on an individual painting or adding the entire set contact me or John Powell at jpowell@sewe.com

Partridge in a Pear Tree

Two Turtle Doves

Three French Hens

Four Calling Birds

Five Gold Rings

Six Geese a Laying

Seven Swans a Swimming

Eight Maids a Milking

Nine Ladies Dancing

Ten Lords a Leaping

Eleven Pipers Piping

Twelve Drummers Drumming

Other paintings that will be exhibited for the first time at SEWE.

The Overlord

18"x36" oil on linen

$6,500, custom framed.

Pronghorn Study

8"x10" oil on panel

$500, framed.

Regolith Shadows

30"x24", oil on linen

$6,000, framed.

Golden Corridor

16"x12", oil on linen

$1,500, framed.

See more at www.JasonTako.com