It’s been an incredible year! Rounding out the year is this cool Spotlight article on the “My Artrepreneur Program” Facebook page!  😉

I feel very fortunate to have been part of this program presented by the Idaho Arts Commission. It has profoundly added to my experience as a professional artist. I have learned a lot and had the opportunity to connect with many talented artists and art professionals. ❤

Note: I have included the full article in the post at the bottom. I realize not everyone has FB. 😉

My Artrepreneur Program: Forum Spotlight

Written by Dr. Edrienne Kittredge

This week, the My Artrepreneur Program Forum Spotlight celebrates Idaho painter, Paige Weber who has never outgrown her love of animals.

Referring to her “inner six-year-old self,” Weber owns her deep dive into the joy she finds in painting animals. She focuses on the story she finds “in the eyes of living creatures; the silent stories exchanged in nature we often don’t see. It might be that moment of recognition between a bear and bird before the latter takes flight. It could be the sound horses’ tails swishing away flies as they traverse a pasture.”

Obviously, Weber sees more than what the animal communicates through its eyes. She wants to “engage the viewer’s senses in a single moment.” For her, that focus tells so much more and echoes the words of the poet William Blake, “To see a World in a Grain of Sand.”

Weber has found that, “Bringing the menagerie into focus allows me to examine our role in protecting the delicate balance of our natural world.” She wants to bring attention to wildlife conservation and help a wider audience learn about the natural world and its inhabitants.

This artist began developing her focus on wildlife in 2015 when, inspired by her mother to “find the courage to create art NOW,” Paige Weber began a year-long, self-generated daily painting practice. “To make it more digestible, each month had its own theme. It was through this process I discovered a passion for animal portraiture.” Her work evolved in other ways, too. She now works in oils instead of watercolor, and the scale of her work has grown much larger.

Weber broadens her exposure to other landscapes and unique wildlife through travel. She always carries her trusted camera to capture fleeting moments. From her photos and knowledge of digital illustration, she creates digital compositions. These she transfers to canvas through her paint brush and “chiaroscuro methods.” That Italian word, which means “light-dark,” describes emphasizing contrasts between light and dark to capture how light falls unevenly and provides a three-dimensional illusion.

Of this approach, Weber writes, “I relish the tangible and tactile feel of oil paint. It enables me to explore subtle shifts in color and light, creating realistic animal paintings.” She has found that painting on larger-sized canvas, even large murals, provides her maximum impact for her work.

Creating a larger image helps this artist to go deeper than simply tell the viewer about the beauty of a wild horse with words like “regal, intelligent, mysterious, gorgeous,… or curious.” It opens ways “to mirror my awe of these creatures” while inviting the viewer to participate.

At year end, Weber reflects on how small steps lead, over time, to bigger benefits. About a year ago, she committed to painting full-time after experiencing major burnout. This year she has faced new projects, developed new directions, gained a mentor, and made like-minded friends. For example, her small steps include, “I got a ‘dumb’ phone.’” From getting a flip phone, she has found more time to paint and add “Zen time.” She has also added using a sketchbook, writing occasional letters, and looking toward a refreshed body of work.

Born and raised in Idaho, Weber’s love of nature grew from life in her native state. Her childhood in the Idaho Panhandle triggered her interest in animals and the surroundings shared with them. She learned to draw from her mother who was an accomplished painter.

However, Weber provides an example of what to do when passions or dreams may get interrupted. She found herself working for years in the construction industry’s administration and accounting areas to make ends meet. At 26, in academia’s terms a “nontraditional” student, she returned to college with a creative focus in her studies.

Weber chose to attend Boise State University and in 2008 completed her BFA studies in Graphic Design. While there, she added an emphasis in painting, studying under such teachers as Gaye Hoopes, Tudor Mitroi, and Cheryl Shurtleff, in addition to serving in multiple internships. In 2018, she received her MA of Illustration Academy of Art University.

In 2022, “Western Art Collector” featured Weber, and “Tatler” magazine, a British publication featured her work in multiple issues, November, December, and this coming January. Her clients include CatsMelvin, Pocatello Children’s Clinic, Thanks a Brunch, Cottonwood Junction, Donut Brothers, Sixes Creative, Busters Bar & Grill (Boise), and Huddle.

The Idaho Commission on the Arts selected Weber in 2022 to become part of the My Artrepreneur Program. That group met in Moscow, ID, and included artists from across Idaho and marked MAP’s fifth year in the state.

In addition to designation as a Founding Member of Cowgirl Artists of America, Weber participated in the 2022 Idaho Cowgirl Congress at the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho. In 2021, Creative Boom highlighted her as one of “Thirty Awesome Illustrators” to follow for Inspiration.

As an artist who believes in helping others learn more about art and what it yields, Weber teaches classes online. She has a YouTube channel (Youtube.com/GumptionWorks) on which she provides tutorials and goes live with her “Gumption” class. Her paint club (www.wrpaintclub.com) meets on Zoom once a month, offers month painting classes, and a painting fundamentals class at: www.watercolorrockstar.com.

In 2023, readers can see Weber’s art in the Moscow Arts Commission/ MAP Show (Moscow, ID), closing reception August 31. She will be featured artist in the August Jensen Ringmakers Gallery Show (Twin Falls, ID) and will participate in Art and Soul at Jensen Ringmakers Gallery (Twin Falls), June-July.