(Published September 2017) Aleta Pippin presents contemporary visions of the landscape in her upcoming exhibition, Inspired Views, opening Friday, September 8th, 5-7pm. Pippin offers modern interpretations of typically traditional subject matter through her own distinct style, which is guided by an emotional, visceral response to nature.

Aleta Pippin fully abandons the classical techniques of landscape painting in favor of abstraction. Her current environment in Santa Fe as well as memories of her childhood in the Coachella Valley instilled in her an awe-inspiring view of the desert. Pippin recalls the desert’s ever-changing light as a young girl exploring the San Jacinto foothills and fascinated by the rose-colored skies descending over craggy mountain ranges at sunset. Light and color are Pippin’s driving sources of inspiration; these elements along with a fluid and intuitive painting process allow Pippin to reveal her personal relationship with the landscape, which is one of freedom and adventure.

The Journey is a 54×18” atmospheric oil painting that Pippin created for Inspired Views. Pippin says of this painting: “I like the color and light in this piece. When I was a child the idea of climbing the first hill to see what was there and wonder what was beyond inspired me to spend hours hiking. This painting illustrates the many hills you can choose to climb and if you continue on you’ll eventually reach the furthest pinnacle. To me, it’s a metaphor for life’s adventures and challenges, as we explore the many opportunities.”