My Paintings are
Inspired by Creation
"Study direct from nature. Study to 'feel', and to know something of her visible functionings. Nature, to the thoughtful, will always remain a vast and delightful storehouse, the fountain of inspiration. Nature is forever providing for the artist untabulated surprises; it is for these that he is to be envied. It is the artist's privilege and prerogative to capture these miracles and to transmute them into an expressive form." -- John F. Carlson, 'Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting'
If the shoe fits
This painting is about preparation. I believe the most important preparation is spiritual. We must all choose to spiritually prepare or not. If cowboys decide not to prepare the horse's feet, the horse could be injured. If we refuse to spiritually prepare how God shows us in the Bible, we can be injured in this life and in the one to come.
Recent Paintings
Plein Air Painting: Red ledges sunrise
Painting a sunrise from life while it is happening is extremely challenging! The light keeps moving, the clouds keep shifting, and the paint brush has to keep flying! The typical time that I can plein air paint in one place before the light has changed too much to continue is about two hours, but for a sunrise, it is about forty-five minutes.
Isaiah Hoppe's Story
Growing up on a hobby farm in Bovey, Minnesota, Isaiah’s love for the outdoors began. Daily chores at his home on Isaac Lake threw Isaiah outdoors during all times
of the year. Early on, Isaiah enjoyed observing the beauty around him. His love
of the woods and lake motivated Isaiah to begin drawing. Encouraged to take
lessons, Isaiah began a distance learning art program. He won awards for his
drawings at the Itasca County fair and the Minnesota State fair. He went on to
pursue art at Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida. Isaiah earned
his Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art, then went on to earn his Master of Arts in
Fine Art. He enjoys painting Western Wildlife and Portraiture in oils.
“The art of painting, properly speaking, cannot be taught, and therefore cannot be learned. Only certain means can be discussed. I believe about art, as I believe about music or archetecture, that the only way to study is to practice; and that any good teacher can point out certain intellectual or technical “makings,” certain helps that will give a fulcrum to the lever of practice.” — John F. Carlson, pg. 9 of Carlson’s Guide to Landscape Painting
Continually Learning
An artist must always be learning and studying, seeking to perfect his craft. An artist must constantly study nature, painting from life as often as possible. Painting from life in the outdoors, plein air painting, is a wonderful way for an artist to hone his craft. Plein air painting is fun, enjoyable, challenging, and sometimes daunting, but it is most definitely very rewarding. Painting from life, I notice so much more accurate color and temperature changes than just from photos. Our eyes can see a much wider color spectrum than cameras can.
"Sunrise Over the Basin"
Fruitland, UT
"Upper Rock Creek"