Smoky Mountain Cascade Pass is an 18×24 oil painting I created during a Kevin Hill class in Clarksville, Tennessee. This blog takes you behind the scenes of the waterfall design, the forest lighting, and the Tennessee inspiration that shaped the piece. It blends the soft atmosphere of the Smoky Mountains with the warm, glowing light I often use in my Colorado landscapes. A peaceful, personal painting that holds two places close to my heart.

A gentle tribute to Diane André, Bill Alexander’s first Master Artist and one of wet-on-wet painting’s quiet pioneers. Though Hope never met her, Diane’s recorded lessons, soft teaching style, and intuitive palette continue to influence studios today. Her story blends resilience, artistry, and kindness in every brushstroke.

Photography and painting share the same visual language — balance, light, and emotion. In this guide, explore seven timeless rules of composition that make both photos and paintings come alive. Plus, learn how to take better reference photos for your own art, wherever inspiration strikes.

Celebrate the season at the Blakely Art Collection’s November 22 Open House in Arvada! Enjoy original art, light refreshments, and meet Hope Blakely in her studio. Holiday-themed ornaments, cards, and gifts priced at $25 or less will be available—perfect for collectors and art lovers alike.

The Blakely Art Collection celebrates fine realism—art that balances breathtaking detail with genuine emotion. From still lifes that shine with life, to landscapes that draw you into their atmosphere, to portraits that capture personality as well as likeness, each piece tells a story. Many even weave in impressionist touches, offering collectors timeless art that feels both familiar and fresh.

Dana Jester is more than an artist—he’s a living link to Bob Ross and a master of landscapes, portraits, and wildlife. From his Old Town Arvada gallery to his decades of teaching, Dana’s work carries both skill and soul. My own piece, Yellow Mountain, is a treasured reminder of the friendships and workshops that grew from knowing him. Collectors will find in his art not just beauty, but history and heart.