About Me
Artist Jonathan S. Vordermark
Education and Background
I began painting about fifteen years ago while still in my first career (university-based pediatric urology). I took early retirement from surgery in 2013 to focus on my painting full-time.
My training has included undergraduate art history courses and university-based and art league style adult continuing education courses in painting and drawing, and several workshops. I have painted intensively at the East Studio Art League which is associated with the Oscar Blumenschein home and museum in Taos since 2014 as well at my detached studio at my home.
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Galleries
Wild Sage Gallery, 129 Kit Carson Road, Taos, New Mexico 87571
Phone: 512-905-6282
Work in my studio available by appointment in Ranchos de Taos.
Exhibits and Awards
Taos Artist’s Organization Labor Day Studio tour (2014).
Taos Fall Arts Festival (2014-2017). Awarded Best of Show (2014).
Blumenschein Museum Fall Show (2017, 2018, 2019).
Blumenschein Studio Christmas Show (2016, 2018).
Wild Rivers paint-out show (Red River, New Mexico 2018).
New Mexico Art League (2018, 2021).
Taos Plein Air Society—multiple local shows.
American Impressionist Society--Virtual Show (2021).
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Current Focus
I work exclusively in oils, painting mostly local landscapes and architecture--especially geology and old adobes. I paint some still-life’s and monochromatics in a loose, representational style, working on location and in my studio. My work varies from small format pieces (8 x 10) up to larger canvases including 16 x 20 and up to 20 x 24. My work is presented in traditional frames. I do not seek commissions.
Inspiration
I grew up visiting the great museums in this country and Europe, but my interest in painting was sidelined by other demands. After careers in the military and academic surgery, I am now able to pursue my first passion full time and am relishing every minute of the process. I bring the lessons in my former careers to my easel every day. Man is by nature a creative being and we all have a deep-seated desire and need to create and put our mark on our world. I now am trying to make up for lost time in the world of fine art with the advantage of having been a lifelong student and having pursued careers that demanded creative thinking.
I am now living in Taos, New Mexico and painting the breathtaking scenery of Northern New Mexico.
Every artist I have met has positively influenced me, but I especially admire the Russian Impressionists. We learn from everyone we come in contact with as we try to create art, so, in a very real sense, everyone is your mentor.
A great painting is one that stops you in your tracks. It is usually a painting created with power, passion and efficiency. We all evolve in our chosen fields not in a straight line, but by fits and starts, leaps forward and unexpected setbacks. For that reason we cannot predict the path our creative endeavors will take us. The world of art is a full time, tiring occupation, and one that demands discipline, humor and humility. It has been a great ride and I wake each morning anxious to discover what each new experience brings.
