“Everywhere I’ve ever been, my art has been about that place,” says Walker. “I remember most powerfully the places I’ve painted and drawn. The act of recording them makes me remember.” ~ Travis Walker
Hip, happening Jackson Hole artist and entrepreneur Travis Walker will give a free plein air painting demonstration on Saturday, July 14th, 2012, 9:00 am – Noon, at Grand Teton National Park’s Willow Flats Turnout, overlooking Mt. Moran and the Oxbow Bend vista. Get up early and catch Walker where we rarely get to see him: painting those glowing, transluscent landscapes. Here in Jackson, the arts community has come to know Walker’s work so well. His paintings are unmistakable, and his profile as an artist continues to grow. For his demonstration Walker has chosen one of the Park’s most scenic spots—the vista overlooking Mount Moran is recognized around the world. Moran’s peak is reflected in the Snake River, winding through the area. Oxbow Bend is also a very good place to view wildlife~~the earlier you arrive, the more likely you are to see blue herons, bears, moose, eagles, ospreys….you get the picture. In fact, take LOTS of pictures.
Walker’s demonstration is the second in a series of four summer plein air demonstrations offered by “Artists in the Environment,” a Grand Teton Association program. Each demonstration is free and open to the public, with Park admission. All are invited to bring chairs, a snack,…some bear spray is a good idea…and your own artists materials should you feel inspired to draw or paint alongside the artist.
Walker wants his paintings to be like windows, points of light that brighten a room. He’s been described as a “satellite, zooming in and out of our landscapes, freezing vast spaces and solitary formations.” Flaxen parachutes float forever, purple
shadows never give way to night, deserted cabins hold the secrets of generations of Western settlers. His paintings have an extra-terrestrial glow. Walker’s “Trailer Series” explore what he considers a symbol of the transient west. Manifestations of contradictory words, “mobile” and “home,” trailers represent the American dream. Walker’s background in printmaking informs his landscape painting~~his work combines the tranquillity and line of Japanese woodblocks with Pop, Warhol-like color.
After graduating in 1999 from the Virginia Commonwealth University with a BFA in Painting and Printmaking, Walker moved to Jackson Hole in 2002 to pursue an arts career. From 2003-2005 he exhibited his work regionally while working full time at the Art Association of Jackson Hole, co-producing exhibits, classes, film series, fundraisers, and teaching printmaking. In 2007, Walker founded Teton Artlab,opening in a tiny space in the rear of Stage Stop Mall. It was the first commercial gallery dedicated to a new generation of experimental, contemporary artists. He’s created some of Jackson’s most exciting contemporary arts venues, including approximately seventy exhibitions. Walker established Jackson’s Factory Studios and Caldera Festival, and his newest project, the Big Haus Studios. He has been a resident artist and guest lecturer at the National Museum of Wildlife Art and a Vermont Studio Center resident printmaker. www.traviswalker.com www.tetonartlab.com www.grandtetonpark.org
Tammy Christel 
