Elk

Hello Everyone,

I spent the first few days of my time in Colorado watching the elk engage in the annual ritual of the rut. This ritual includes bulls forming "harems" of cows, nervously guarding those cows, stealing cows from other harems, and bugling back and forth either to warn other bulls to stay away, or to announce their approach. I also had the privilege of seeing a few antler clashes between bulls. These magnificent creatures are incredible to watch this time of year, and it could be downright comical at times if the elk were not so majestic.

Below are two paintings inspired by my experience. The first shows a bull seeking out another bull who is calling in the distance. This bull most likely thinks he can steal a cow or two from the other bull's harem.

The second painting shows a lone bull in the meadow calling out in the evening light. Most likely his group of cows is behind him and he is giving a warning call to any others who would dare to take from him.

Answering the Call

Oil on linen panel, 12x16

$1,500, framed.

Meadow Monarch

Oil on linen panel, 12x16

$1,500, framed.

See more at www.JasonTako.com

Oil Painters of America Acceptance!

Hello Everyone,

I'm happy to announce my acceptance as a member of the prestigious Oil Painters of America. This is an organization that features the finest representational oil painters in the United States.

I am also honored to announce that my painting Duckweed & Breeze was accepted into the Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition which will be held at Southwest Gallery in Dallas, Texas, May 13th through June 15th, 2016. If you are in the Dallas area be sure to check out this show which will feature some of the best of representational art.

Duckweek & Breeze

Oil on linen, 24"x18"

$3,000, contact Weiler House Fine Art Gallery to inquire 817-457-3343.

See more at www.JasonTako.com

Mountain Goats at Night

Hello Everyone,

I have always been intrigued by nocturnal paintings, especially the western nocturnal paintings of artists like Frank Tenney Johnson. However, nocturnal wildlife paintings seem to be rare, and I have never seen a nocturnal painting showing mountain goats.

These two paintings show mountain goats traveling through extreme alpine country on a starlit night. While mountain goats do roam at night, hardly anyone gets to witness this. These two paintings give us a glimpse into a rarely seen world.

Midnight Descent

oil on linen panel, 14x11

$1,200, framed.

Night Travelers

oil on linen, 18x24

$3,000, framed.

See more at www.JasonTako.com

Reaching Great Heights

Hello Everyone,

Below is the largest painting I have done to date, and one that I am very happy with, both because of the way it turned out and because of the experience it invokes.

Lake of Glass was my the primary destination in Rocky Mountain National Park. I trained all summer, and once in Colorado I packed my gear and hiked for over 4 miles, with an elevation gain of over 1,500 feet, until I reached Timberline Falls. At this point, one must climb almost completely vertical wet rocks for about 30 feet and then climb another 70 feet at slightly less of an incline to reach the lake. It may not sound that bad until you consider that I had over 30 lbs of painting equipment on my back. After some hesitation, I emptied my pack of all immediate non-essentials, hid them under a bush, and made the climb.

When I arrived at the top of the falls, I walked onto the shore of a beautiful emerald-colored lake lined with rocks and boulders, surrounded by a wall of mountain peaks. It was one of the most beautiful places I had ever been. Looking behind me, I could see how high I had climbed which this produced in me a paradoxical feeling of fear and exhilaration. The wind was incredibly strong but the skies were almost perfectly clear. One thing I enjoy about the mountain peaks is hearing the wind as it blows through the tops of the peaks. After some looking around, I set up and created two field studies, the second of which resulted in this painting.

Ascension-Lake of Glass shows the height and grandeur of the mountain peaks as they tower over the lake. The detail and clarity of the foreground rocks, contrasted by the cooler tones of the peaks emphasizes the feeling height, as well as the large size of the painting. Up close the painting is composed of many bold and thick strokes of color which meld into a realistic image as you view the painting from a distance. This painting is unique given its vertical format and the emphasis on the peak. If you love the west; if you love mountains and have a large wall space, this painting is for you.

Ascension-Lake of Glass

Oil on linen, 48x36

$15,000, framed.

Contact Jason@JasonTako.com to inquire.

Jason working on Ascension

The final painting.

See more at www.JasonTako.com

New Painting!

Hello Everyone,

I have been busy these last few months working on paintings from my September trip to Colorado. One of the places I painted was in Mt. Evans, in central Colorado. Mountain goats can be found at the top of this mountain. When I arrived there I set up my easel to plein air paint, despite the fact that the winds were incredibly strong. Mountain goats have no problem with this, but painting in strong wind always gives me a feeling of urgency and even slight anxiety. However, I was able to get a quick sketch of one goat that was bedded down for a time. This sketch proved invaluable for capturing the colors and glow that the camera missed.

This new painting, "Mountain Glow" depicts a trio of mountain goats bathed in afternoon light. The tundra grasses display a slight autumn color, yet the goats still maintain some of their previous winter coat which will soon be replaced by their new winter coat. The dark shadow side of the more distant mountain side emphasizes the glow on the coats of these beautiful and rugged creatures.

Mountain Glow

Oil on Belgian Linen, 18x36

$6,000, custom distressed wood frame with gold liner.

Contact Jason@JasonTako.com to inquire.

April Workshop

Hello Everyone,

I will be teaching three workshops this year. The first one will be a five-day plein air painting workshop, April 18-22 in Cary, North Carolina. See full description below...

This workshop will focus on learning and developing the techniques and philosophy of plein air painting. Plein air painting is the best way to not only gather accurate colors and values in a landscape, but it is the primary way to grow as a landscape painter. However, as they say, "It ain't easy." How to paint fast? How much detail do you need? How to determine colors and values? How do you deal with constantly changing light, wind, rain, bugs, etc.? These questions will be answered and the answers demonstrated. This will be more than just the typical demo then pat the student on the back workshops that are so prevalent these days. I am always very generous with information that will help the artist grow.

The cost is $550 per artist, and artists can register by contacting the Cary Arts Center at 919-469-4069. My last workshop in Cary sold out and there was a waiting list. Spots are already filling up, so this workshop will most likely sell-out quickly. See more information on my upcoming workshops at www.JasonTako.com/Workshops.html

"Well balanced between lecture, demonstration and individual guidance. A Five-Star experience!" -Margie Rodman, Cary, NC.

"The workshop was fantastic!I cannot think of a concept he did not cover in-depth. My sense of color mixing has vastly improved. I feel I have grown tremendously as an artist in just one week." -Bettina Lewicki, Cary, NC

Preserving the Past

Hello Everyone,

I hope you had a blessed Christmas and a wonderful start to the New Year! For many of us, the new year marks not only a new beginning, but also the passage of time. And we may ponder different memories of these times now past. For me, certain locations can represent a feeling of nostalgia and tell a story about the past. When I paint certain locations I will sometimes think about the stories that might have occurred there. Old barns definitely fit into this category. Who built the barn? What kind of animals where kept there? Did children play in there? Where barns dances ever held there? Sometimes I will meet the owner of the barn and hear these stories. Sometimes the barns are lovingly cared for, other times they are abandoned and left to fall apart. In some cases I wonder if the owner will tear the barn down so they don't have the liability of kids getting hurt while playing in a dilapidated barn under their ownership. In any case the stories are there and when I paint I like to think that in a certain way I'm preserving these untold stories.

The barn in this painting no longer exists. I painted it from a small field study and not long afterwards it was torn down, only to leave an empty lot. I don't know if this area will be developed or if the field will be left empty, but in any case I know that barn had some stories attached to it. For me, painting is a way of preserving these stories, and preserving a part of American history. Someday most barns like this will be gone, but I hope painting them will keep them alive for many generations.

Tree Shadows

Oil on linen, 24x36

$6,000 framed.

Contact Highlands Art Gallery at 908-766-2720 to inquire.

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.