2024

Colorado Daybreak

Artist: Raj Chaudhuri

Raj Chaudhuri

Colorado Daybreak

Inventory #: 2024-616
Size: 40 x 60
Frame Size: 46 x 66
Medium: Oil on Board

Raj

Denver, CO

Raj Chaudhuri

My work comes from my life as a human being. I paint what I know and love. Capturing people and their interaction with the environment interests me—be it urban or rural, cityscape or landscape. I strive to find beauty in everyday happenings and how we experience this amazing world in which we live. Growing up in India, I feel my work is enriched by the depth of culture, vibrant colors and energy there. Twenty-seven years ago, Colorado became home, giving me a longstanding enjoyment of the mountains, the brilliance of people here and the rich history of the west. I truly enjoy traveling and painting on location; I thrive in painting subjects with which I have a deep connection and understanding of people, structures and landscape. Art has always been my passion. I found ways to incorporate my artistic abilities in UI design and software development before coming to art full time. To a great extent I find that what like in computer design and now in art is that we are creating abstractions of the real world. There are repeating patterns in how we solve problems in many arenas. The creation of a painting is a technical and visionary problem, with many aspects behind the brushstrokes and values. These challenges underlie the thrill of creating a piece that speaks to viewers, to see what we feel and know about the world around us in art. To me painting is about finding beauty, balance and something visually engaging. I am fascinated by how light illuminates my compositions. It is different literally in every painting! The design of a painting to me is paramount, and I try and find something beautiful, simple and clear in the composition and then build in layers upon layers of complexity. I want to lead the viewer through a visual journey and have them stay connected to the painting. Art is a way of expressing something deeply personal along with the pure enjoyment of the visual. My goal is to find an interesting design clearly present in each painting, so the viewer sees the abstract visual dialogue that sets up the appealing story of the subject in the painting. My wife and I have lived in Denver since 1998, where she started her medical career as a Physician. We have an amazing daughter who is a budding scientist at CU and is just thriving there. In 2023 I was just thrilled to be awarded the Best in Show at the Coors Western Art Exhibition and Sale. It is an honor I will cherish forever.

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More work by this Artist

Herding Team

12 X 12 X 1 inches

Colorado Wrangler

24 X 18 X 1 inches

Winter Run

24 X 48 X 1 inches

Award: Colorado Daybreak

Since 1983, the National Western Scholarship Trust has been a beacon of hope for students pursuing careers in agriculture, rural medicine, and veterinary science. With the establishment of the Trust, a commitment was made to invest in the future of these vital fields by providing financial support to dedicated students. Today, the Trust proudly awards 120 scholarships annually, with individual awards ranging from $2,500 to $15,000. These scholarships not only alleviate financial burdens but also inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators.

Cora Sexton Wheeler

The High Country

Denver, Colorado

Cora Sexton Wheeler

The goal of my art is to engage viewers through multiple sensory outlets, primarily visual and tactile. The saturated colors are playful, inviting and warm. The palette, along with the heavy texture, encourages a closer look and even a touch. My body of work is heavily influenced by my heritage and upbringing in both the city and on a ranch in Durango, Colorado. The paintings tell a story that reflects American history, especially in the West. Every piece starts with sculpting a landscape or image onto canvas with lightweight paste. Then, multiple acrylic color washes are applied to the layers and fine details are painted in. Paintings are completed with either a high gloss resin or varnished with a matte finish. The pieces are sculptures on canvas with the depth adding structure and interest. My work continues to grow and change in both the size and subject matter, always with a western nod and appreciation for my native Colorado upbringing.