Albin Veselka

Born in 1979 in Wyoming and living most of my life in Idaho my interest in art came at about six years old. I am very grateful to my parents who were instrumental in encouraging my interest and development in art even when resources were scarce.

  In 2006 I received my BFA from Brigham Young University Idaho. I credit the knowledgeable and student oriented faculty of the BYUI art department for giving me "the tools all representational artist must have to open the door to communicating in the visual arts". Early in my career I also received direction which helped me break into the gallery scene while I was a college student. Since then I have continued in developing and have been blessed to receive recognition and honors that have aided my progress. 

  Some of the honors I have been granted are listed below.

-Arts for the Parks mini and top 100 show

-Two man show with Josh Clare at the Brigham Young University Idaho Art Gallery 

-The Phippin Museum show (Prescott AZ) 

-OPA National Show and Sale 2009-2014 

-OPA Western Regional Award of Excellence

-Southwest Art's 21 Under 31.

-Scottsdale Salon Show and Sale

-Best of Show in Idaho Paints Idaho 2011

-Gold Medal at OPA Western Regional Show

-Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival Quickdraw

-LDS International Church Art Competition Award of Merit

-Springville Museum Salon Show Award of Merit

-Awarded Oil Painters of America Signature Status

-Great American Figurative Artists Exhibition at Waterhouse Gallery in Santa Barbara California

-Driggs Diggs Plein Air Joror's 1st place award

-Driggs Diggs Plein Air people's choice award

-Fine Art Studio Online Featured Artist

-2nd place Oil Painters of America National show Plein air competition in St. Augustine Fl. 2015

-I have been published in numerous publications such as Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, Southwest Art and Art of the West.

 My career has been a continual learning experience as I find inspiration in a variety of subject matter and working methods. I think an artist's work represents their life. Consequently I paint a variety of things that interest me rather than trying to create an image based around a specific subject matter or style of painting". I find new things to appreciate in what surrounds me as well as in masters both living and deceased. Some of the influences that inspire me are Nicolai Fechin, John Singer Sargent, Abram Arkhipov, Joaquin Serolla, Dean Cornwell, Richard Schmid, Carl Rungius, Mike Malm, Carolyn Anderson and Leon Parson.

  I currently live in Franklin Idaho with my wife Jenee and our four children where I paint full time. Family and art work together for me. They support what I do for a living, patiently dealing with all the ups and downs of living with and being provided for by an artist, and they inspire my work which also allows me to be free to spend time with them when they need it most instead of being tied down to a schedule set by someone else.

  For me the richest blessing of art is enriching the lives of others. There is something of the divine that comes through the work of one who has mastered his mode of expression and who has something good to say. When that message comes through and awakens something within the viewer that improves his or her life; that, I believe, is the higher purpose of art. That is the intent of my work.