TRENT GUDMUNDSEN, B. 1978
Stylistically, I've always been drawn to an impressionistic approach, but I also find the need to do more justice to a particular area by "finishing" it with a bit more detail, which draws the eye in and gives variety to the composition. There are numerous ways to apply paint, and an infinite number of subjects waiting to be painted. I paint people because I'm fascinated by the amazing human form with its' ability to instantly convey a mood; I paint landscapes because I'm truly amazed by the beauty and variety in nature; I frequently combine those two elements. I communicate through the subjects of regular people and familiar settings, which both have tremendous power to convey emotions.
-Trent
SOME GOOD QUOTES:
* "Imitate nothing or nobody, paint all people and things as you see them." -- Diego Velazquez
* "Selection and combination are learned from nature herself, who constantly presents us with compositions of her own, far more beautiful than the happiest arranged by human skill." -- John Constable
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Trent Gudmundsen is described (by Steve Brennen of S.R. Brennen Galleries) as "a young artist who has the mature brushstroke of someone who's been painting for 50 years or more". With a love of both impressionism and detail, Gudmundsen approaches his paintings with a "less is more" attitude, but delights in adding just the right amount of detail where necessary.
Having gained national recognition with his distinct interpretations of restaurant interiors, Trent is now re-visiting his old subjects and ideas, with the intent of focusing more on the individuals instead of just the ambiance of the group settings.
A main focus of Trent's right now is to portray the figure as the focal point in a variety of contemplative situations.
Gudmundsen's work was featured in Southwest Art's "21 Under 31" article, and has been recognized in many prestigious national shows and invitationals. Twice, Trent's entry at the Oil Painters of America National Show was chosen by juror Kevin Macpherson for an "Award of Excellence" (2003 & 2009). Trent's work has been included in Paint the Parks "Top 100", Arts for the Parks "Top 200", and several times in the International Museum of Contemporary Masters' "Salon International", as well as the Richard Schmid Auction, and the Texas Art Auction. Among the recurring invitational shows, are the Windows to the Divine Invitational in Denver, the Shenandoah Invitational in Virginia, and the Dixie State Invitational in Utah. Trent's paintings have appeared in Ensign magazine, and also in the book My Dear Sisters by Gordon B. Hinckley.
Gudmundsen's work is represented by galleries in Arizona, California, Colorado, and Montana. Trent and his wife, Lorajean, and their three children currently live in Logan, Utah. Trent enjoys practicing traditional homesteading skills, and he and Lorajean are currently in the final stages of restoring their 100-year-old house. (Trent also recently built a chicken coop, and filled it with 8 hens...they now get more eggs than they could possibly eat)..
"Trent's signature pieces... marry what he feels
with the realism in
what he sees." --Rob Stern, Samarah Fine Art.
"...Although a young painter, his confident brush stroke is that of a much older and experienced painter."
--Steve Brennen, S.R. Brennen Galleries.
"Bistro interiors, soulful portraiture and exquisite landscapes are painted quickly in order for Gudmundsen to capture
the
essence of his subject while maintaining the quality of light and composition."
--Informed Collector (www.informedcollector.com)
2010
Oil Painters of America, National Show. Legacy Gallery. Scottsdale, AZ.
Salon International 2010. Greenhouse Gallery. San Antonio, TX. (Two paintings accepted>
Honorable Mention. Dixie State College - Sears Invitational Art Show. Dixie State College; St. George, UT.
FineArtViews - Painting Competition (http://contest.fineartstudioonline.com)
- FAV15% (Jury's favorite 15% of entries). January 2010.
2009
RayMar Art - Painting Competition (www.raymarartcontest.com). Finalist for month of December.
FineArtViews - Painting Competition (http://contest.fineartstudioonline.com)
- FAV15% (Jury's favorite 15% of entries). July, October, & December 2009.
- Finalist: December 2009.
Southwest Art. "Simply Divine" (My painting featured in show coverage article). September 2009 issue, (page 20).
Informed Collector. Featured Artist. August 2009.
Invited Artist, "Windows to the Divine" - Fra Angelico Celebration of Art & Spirituality. The Colorado Dominican Vocation Foundation. Denver, CO.
Invited Artist. 6th Annual Shenandoah Invitational Art Show. Southern Virginia University.
Texas Art Auction. May 2009. Juried auction participant. www.txartgallery.com
Award of Excellence. Oil Painters of America National Show. Santa Fe, NM. www.oilpaintersofamerica.com
Honorable Mention. Dixie State Invitational Art Show. Dixie State College; St. George, UT.
Piece accepted. Salon International. International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art.http://si.greenhousegallery.com
10 x 72-foot mural commissioned for American West Heritage Center. Wellsville, Utah.
2008
Texas Art Auction. November 2008. Juried Auction participant. www.txartgallery.com
Painting accepted. Oil painters of America, Western Regional Show. Couer D'Alene, ID. http://oilpaintersofamerica.com
3-Person Show. Samarah Fine Art. August 7th, opening reception.
4-Person Show. Loch Vale Fine Art. June 1st, opening.
2nd Place (oils division). 5th Annual Shenandoah Invitational Art Show. Southern Virginia University.
Painting accepted. Salon International. International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art. http://si.greenhousegallery.com
Invited artist for live auction. Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction.
2007
Invited Artist, "Windows to the Divine" - Fra Angelico Celebration of Art & Spirituality. The Colorado Dominican Vocation Foundation. Denver, CO.
Paint the Parks - Top 100.
Invited Artist, 4th Annual Shenandoah Invitational Art Show. Southern Virginia University.
One-Man Show: "New Paintings of Europe". Loch Vale Fine Art.
Finalist (month of January). Raymar Art Panels, 2nd Annual Fine Art Competition.
Invited artist for live auction. Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction.
2006
Group show: "Castles and Clans," hosted by Loch Vale Fine Art.
Signature Members Show, guest artist. Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters, "Wildhorse Gallery," Steamboat Springs, CO.
Two Man Show. Gallery at the Station, Old Ogden Union Station. Ogden, UT. June 2006.
Painting accepted. Seventh International LDS Church Art Competition. Salt Lake City, UT.
2005
Painting accepted. Deseret News Landscape Art Show. SLC, UT.
Two Man Show: "For the Love of the Landscape". Thatcher-Young Mansion (Alliance for the Varied Arts). Logan, UT. January 2005.
Painting accepted. International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art. Salon International. si.greenhousegallery.com
Painting accepted. Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction.
2004
Arts for the Parks - Top 200.
Included in "Emerging Artists" article. Cowboys & Indians Magazine. January '04 issue.
Painting accepted. Laguna Plein Air Painters. "Meet the Muse"-Figurative Show.
Three paintings accepted. Laguna Plein Air Painters. "Annual Members Show".
Painting accepted. International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art. Salon International.
"First Place-Oil", Outlaw Trail Museum--Juried Art Show. (Vernal, UT)
Invited artist. Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters Invitational.
Painting accepted. Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction.
2003
"Award of Excellence". Oil Painters of America, National Show.
Featured Artist. Southwest Art "21 Under 31", September 2003 Issue.
"Honorable Mention". Northern Colorado Artist Association National Show. (Fort Collins, CO)
Painting accepted. Sixth International LDS Church Art Competition.
Invited artist/Quick-Draw artist. Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters Invitational.
Painting accepted. Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction.
2002
Painting accepted. Oil Painters of America, National Show.
Invited artist. Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters Invitational.
Painting accepted. Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction.
2001 and earlier
Painting accepted. Fifth International LDS Church Art Competition. 1999.
"Best of Show," and "First Place-Oil", Outlaw Trail Museum--Juried Art Show. 2001. (Vernal, UT)
One-man Show. Outlaw Trail Museum. February 2000. (Vernal, UT)
"Scholarship Winner". Sterling Scholar Program. Fine Art cagetory. Northeast Region. Utah. 1996.
Pieces accepted in 1995 & 1996. Two "Awards of Merit" in 1996. Springville Museum of Art--High School Juried Art Show. (Springville, UT)
"First Place". National Geographic Society & Wyland Art Galleries: Marine Art Contest, 1995. (Laguna Beach, CA)
TRENT GUDMUNDSEN IS REPRESENTED BY:
* S.R. Brennen Galleries. Scottsdale, AZ & Palm Desert, CA.
www.srbrennengalleries.com
* Reily Fine Art. Estes Park, CO.
www.reilyfineart.com
* Samarah Fine Art. Whitefish, MT.
www.samarahfineart.com
* Mountainsong Gallery. Carmel-by-the-sea, CA.
www.mountainsonggalleries.com
* Meyer Gallery. Park City, UT.
www.meyergallery.com
GROUP AFFILIATIONS:
* Oil Painters of America. Artist Member since 2001.
www.oilpaintersofamerica.com
* California Art Club. Associate Member since 2009.
www.californiaartclub.org
MY BLOG:
LINKS:
One of Lorajean's (Trent's wife's) paintings...also, visit her blog here
where you can see more.
Trent's uncle's art website:
www.nationalparksart.com (click here) Mark Gudmundsen, artist.
Trent's sister-in-law, Merrilee, is an illustrator and designer (she also goes by the alias: Tuesday Mourning). Check out her website: www.tmourning.com