I paint landscapes. It’s that simple. Landscapes connect us to the world and ourselves, to the past and the present, and to a deep sense of humanity. I explore my surroundings until something inside me says “there’s something more to explore here.” Then, I paint to better understand what that “something” is. From there, I look deeply and paint with as much detached honesty as I can. When I’m done, I hope the work sparks a personal emotional response in you. Sometimes a small outdoor piece inspires a larger studio painting. Sometimes the outdoor study stands on its own. If the painting makes you pause, take a second look, and feel something, then I’ve done my job. Not all of my work achieves that, but I can’t stop trying.

I also wrote a book called See, Think, Draw: An Easy Guide to Realistic Drawing and Beyond. I love teaching, and my goal is to inspire more people to draw—it’s great for the brain!

-Scott Maier