The James Ratliff Gallery has extended its Desert Spring Blossoms Show with new paintings by Greg Heil. His work has been hung many times at the gallery with his signature vibrant flowers, grand mountains and valleys.

These desert locations beckon the viewer to step into the space if only in their minds. This new series is more impressionistic and depicts the rebirth of the land warmed by the spring sun and a renewal of life.

Heil intrinsically adds the soft blush of emerging flowers seen at each site he visits. His recent work still captures the essence of mountains and canyon lands he has spent time in. Hiking in with easel and paint, he can find a location where he is alone with the silent world around him. 

After some small plein air paintings and myriad photos, he returns to his studio where the real work begins.

The shadows from photos guide his hand when paint flows from brush to canvas and each shade of light and shadow are placed with an analytical eye. He works through a piece like an intricate puzzle that he must solve and does not judge a piece finished until then. He views his frustration with a piece as a motivator and finally finds the balance that portrays the real world in a moment in time.

The finished piece is accurate and recognizable to those who travel in the same areas. Excitement in the recognition of these beautiful places is what makes his work so special but Heil admits that the emotions exuded come from the viewer and not the painter. His paintings may even become the antithesis of his persona from time to time. The spring renewal is like a new beginning that mere humans don’t enjoy in the same way the wildflowers do.

Heil studied art in college and always worked at depicting the great Southwest. He has studied in drawing, charcoal, pastels, acrylic and other media but oil painting has given him the best way to tell his story. He has made a name for himself as a young emerging artist and he admits that he could never really love any other kind of job.

The show will be at the James Ratliff Gallery through the end of June.