“Is the Peak Open Today?” by Wayne McKenzie

I know, right!? Utterly Amazing! I love the varying blues in the mountain and sky then again in the shadow of the skiers. The mountain seems so massive and surreal. What a wonderful painting! Wayne’s website is full of fabulous paintings. This is one from the Telluride portfolio, so be sure to check them all out!

I love the skiers in this painting. I admire skiers. Wish I was one. I wasn’t the bravest on earth. I did try downhill skiing as a kid. The tow rope…? A death trap in my opinion, same for the “bunny hill” (do they still call it that?) it’s a dangerous place! Why didn’t that ski instructor teach me to do anything but walk up/down a hill with skis on? Why not teach me that swish back and forth that seems so imperative so you don’t come flying down a bunny hill at 90MPH on your rear with skis dangling from your legs?! Hmmm, I sound bitter. Ha. I’m not, it led me to cross country skiing which I truly loved for so many years. I wish I never stopped!

Ok, on to some info about Wayne! From his website…

Wayne Mckenzie’s art emanates a laid back confidence that is a reflection of his Australian upbringing. With loose brushwork and bold use of color, he brings a unique perspective to the contemporary North American art world. Wayne”s strong sense of design is derived from the Aboriginal art of his native Australia. His paintings are a visual journey that allows the essence of his subject matter to come to life.

Wayne divides his time between his studios in Lake Tahoe, California and Telluride, Colorado, where he participates in the annual Plein Air Festival along side some of the most respected artists in the country. He consistently ranks in the top ten sellers, and in 2009 was awarded third place in the Artists Choice Award. Wayne also participates in the Carmel Plein Air Festival, where in 2010 he received an Honorable Mention.

Wayne has appeared in various publications throughout the United States. He was most recently honored as a feature artist in the hardcover book “Best of Artists-Oil-Global edition” by Kennedy Publishing. Renowned art critic Susan Viebrock, wrote “Anyone who doesn’t love a Mckenzie, must have a low opinion of joy….big personality- big work” and went on to describe his work as having, “a delightful sense of movement, vibration and exuberance.”

Catch you back here tomorrow!