Artist Statement – Ken Church

I paint landscapes because I’m drawn to the raw, unfiltered beauty of the natural – world especially the drama written across the rocks and skies of Southern Utah. Living near Zion National Park, I’m surrounded by towering cliffs, twisted rock formations, and shifting light that can change the entire mood of a scene in minutes. Painting gives me the chance to pause, observe, and interpret those moments. My process begins in the field: walking, sketching, taking notes, and simply sitting and observing. I listen to the wind, track the movement of shadows, and let the landscape tell me what it wants to say. Later, in the studio, I build each painting from a focused concept—something as simple as the tension in storm clouds or the rhythm of layered colors. I use bold outlines, vivid contrasts, and a rich under-painting to bring structure and energy to each piece. I’m always looking to share that sense of wonder. When someone connects with one of my paintings—when they see a place the way I saw it, or feel what I felt standing there—that’s the moment I value most. We all respond to beauty, and through landscape painting, I get to be part of that shared recognition of home.