Temples Of Time

"Temples of Time" Oil on canvas 20" x 20"  Copyright Jake Gaedtke, 2012

The universal reaction for most people when they experience the Grand Canyon is one of humility and of an overwhelming contrast of something so huge next to our smaller selves. The age of the canyon and the spectacular work of nature that never ceases to amaze us, captures our imagination and  the realization of how little control we really have in this world and this life. To capture those emotions in paint and canvas is very challenging, and yet freeing. Atmosphere, aging rock, color, light, exquisite shapes, and depth all come together for me to respond to this wonder I see before me.

This painting will be on exhibit and available for sale at the 2012 Grand Canyon Celebration of Art Plein Air on the Rim Event. I was very fortunate to be selected along with 24 other very fine artists to participate in this year's plein air event this September. I am so much looking forward to it. Each participant was asked to create a studio painting of the Grand Canyon for the show that will hang with our spontaneous plein air paintings we will do in a weeks time. I can hardly wait!

Autumn's Repose

"Autumn's Repose" 24" x 24" Oil on Canvas   Jake Gaedtke copyright, 2012

Calm. A seasonal calm. I took this from a place that is very close to where I live. It's a grouping of ponds where people like to come and fish, walk, ride their horses, run, or sit and read or think. For me, I like to paint. You can see from it's beauty, why it is a popular place to come to. I simply can't resist painting water. It's a connection that I am so very close to. It's something that goes so far back in my life. There is so much of myself in this painting. I hope there is a lot of me in all of my paintings, but some go deeper than others. This is one I am especially fond of because of it's deeper meaning on a personal level. I notice in the Fall that the warm colors of orange, yellow, reds, and ochres permeates even the atmosphere. It's not restricted to the trees. Even the sky seems to take on a yellowish hue to it as Fall reflects itself everywhere. It's what causes that smell in the air that is Indian Summer. A crispness I feel that teases at the winter season that is to come. I added more warms in the sky to give the painting an overall harmony of yellow-orange so you are immersed in the season that is Autumn and in this case the quiet that is Fall.

Equestrian Nobility

"A Warming Chestnut" - 9" x 12" - oil on canvas
"Grazing" - 10" x 8" - oil on canvas  Copyright 2012, Jake Gaedtke

Landscapes have been my primary genre of subject matter for many years. To be sure, I love the landscape and it is my favorite subject to paint, however, I have always considered myself an artist where any subject is game for my canvas. Whatever catches my heart and my eye. I love painting horses and I continue to study and paint them when given the opportunity. I am not a full-fledged equestrian, but I do love the sensuality and forms of horses. Their character and beauty continue to raise my passion for painting and drawing them. The more I paint them the more I want to learn about them and broaden my knowledge. I learned to ride when I was a very young man and always surrounded myself with horses throughout my life. These paintings were recently done for the 2012 Western Stock Show held in Denver. I was invited to show some of my work for the Stock Show Club which is a private show and, unfortunately, not open to the public. I still considered it an honor and an opportunity to show some of my equestrian passion to those who know the horse. I do plan on doing more horse related paintings in the near future.