EnglehartBookCover

Book cover of Stanton Englehart’s “A Life on Canvas” published by the Spiralbound Studio Publishing in Durango, Colorado — Detail of Stanton’s painting entitled “Season on the Plateau”

Last week, when Dan, his parents and I were in the Toh-Atin Gallery of Native American Art in Durango, I came across this book and said to Dan that I totally admire this guy’s paintings; over the past few years every time I’ve seen this man’s work, just makes my heart pitter-patter…and I know that when I feel that feeling, it’s called love.

And then without even opening the book, I said to Dan “…can you show me what is your favorite piece of art in this gallery…?”  (I asked him that because every time Dan and I go to an art show, an art fair, an art market, or to any gallery, anywhere,  we always like the same exact piece(s) of art…!”  So Dan led me directly to a large painting towards the back of the Toh-Atin gallery above a stairwell.  Low and behold, it was a Stanton Englehart—!  What did I tell ya!?  After checking out the rest of the gallery art works in Navajo rugs, jewelry, pottery, sculpture and other paintings, again, Dan and I like the same exact piece of art picked out of thousands in a gallery!    So of course, I had to buy the book because I will study every painting in this book and Stanton’s painting style will influence my next set of paintings!

Stanton’s paintings are not acrylics on canvas; they are oil on canvas.  My daughter Ursala, who has been working in oil paintings for the past couple of years since her classes at Ft. Lewis College in Durango, has been encouraging me to drop acrylics and go into oils.  I will do so after I use up my $500 worth of acrylic paints; I refuse to let them go to waste!

Who is Stanton Englehart?  Stanton is a dedicated prolific artist for over 50 years.  He is a celebrated painter of the landscapes of the Colorado Plateau.  Englehart’s vision has been carried worldwide.  His vividly hued paintings are held in collections in Germany, Canada and across the U.S.

He is known for his passion as an educator.  Throughout his thirty-year teaching career at Ft. Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, Engleheart inspired students and faculty alike.  Upon his retirement, he was granted the title of Professor Emeritus of Art.

This book project was initiated by the Durango Arts Center and brought into print by Durango-based Spiralbound Studio Publishing in association with the Ft. Lewis College Foundation.  Proceeds from book sales will benefit the Stanton Englehart Scholarship Fund for art students at Ft. Lewis College.