It is no wonder that Jeff Hepworth is a northern Utah artist with strong emotional ties to the mountains and rural valleys along the Wasatch front. He was born and raised in what was then, a rural Clearfield, Utah in the early 1950’s - an era when a young boy would spend all of his spare time outside, roaming the open fields and hillsides with his slingshot or BB gun instead of playing video games or watching TV. Jeff’s parents were avid boaters and campers and frequented Utah’s beautiful lakes and mountains. Except for a couple of trips to Yellowstone, Jeff does not ever remember vacationing outside of Utah. “Why should we spend our time and money to travel outside of Utah,” his mother would boast, “When we have such a beautiful state to play in?” Though he occasionally paints outside of Utah, he echoes his mothers’ sentiments and draws heavily from the beautiful diversity of the Beehive State.

Jeff’s love for the Utah landscape is evident in his painting style. From the beginning to the end of the painting process he focuses on the emotions expressed in the landscape. His soft, feathered edges and subtle palette render pieces that are comfortable for the viewer. He believes that if viewers don’t have an emotional response, they won’t appreciate art enough to buy it. He is convinced that the overall mood of a painting is the first and most important way in which a viewer connects with a landscape.

In Jeff’s landscapes you will usually see typical Utah forms such as tall cottonwoods, distant mountains, or quiet waters lined with reeds, carefully placed in settings that are immersed in seasonal changes and weathered conditions. He begins with a slightly toned and textured canvas. He lays down the darkest values first and progresses rapidly through the mid-tones, painting very lean in the early stages. He then applies a thicker, but still minimal layer of the lighter values. He puts the finishing touches on with a series of glazes, tonal effects, and soft edges to manipulate the light, the time, and the atmosphere.

Jeff’s love for art began at an early age. He remembers receiving an art kit for Christmas, which he cherished for years. His mother was an oil painter and he would work alongside her using his very own brushes and paints. This translated to success in elementary school, where he was an annual winner of the school fire safety poster contest. In high school however, other interests seemed to take precedence over art – something that Jeff regrets. Jeff picked up his brushes again at Weber State University, where he studied painting under Farrell Collette and Richard VanWagoner. Upon graduation, Jeff went to work teaching school for Weber School District. For 15 of his 30 years for the district he taught visual art to students in third through sixth grade. His efforts with young children and art were recognized in 1988, when he received the Utah Arts Alliance Award from the Superintendent of Utah Schools. In 1989 Jeff was recognized as a finalist for Utah Art Teacher of the Year.

While teaching school Jeff operated a part-time sign painting business. For years, his hand-painted signs and billboards dotted the northern Utah landscape – something Jeff now finds ironical. The majority of Jeff’s paintings are pure landscapes – no buildings, no people, no wildlife, and no outdoor signage! Though he has always painted, it is only in the last four years that he has resurrected his skills and turned his attention toward a new painting career. He is currently part owner/operator of Gallery 25 on Historic 25th St. in Ogden, Utah, where he shares space with nine other talented artists. He is quickly gaining recognition both locally and regionally. His work has been purchased for private and corporate collections throughout the United States and in Canada. He has received numerous painting wards, including Best of Show in the 2005 Traces of the West Competition. He has been juried in to many prestigious show and fairs and has just finished a three- man show at the Gallery at the Station in Ogden. Next on his agenda are the Park City Art Festival and a one-man show at the Wasatch Frame Shop Gallery beginning August 18th. This fall Jeff will be adding his work to new galleries in Scottsdale, Arizona and Jackson Hole. Jeff and his wife Dixie currently reside in West Haven, Utah, where Jeff paints in his home studio nearly every day. They have four married children and seven grandchildren. And yes, they are avid boaters and campers who frequent the beauties of the Utah landscape.

 

 

Wasatch Frame Shop presents

Artist In Residence

Jeff Hepworth

 

 

Hallowed Ground 30x40

 

 

 

Autumn Sage 24x48

 

 

 

Standing Sentinel 40x60