I'm constantly amazed by the beauty I see in seemingly simple events and scenes in every day life. My emotions are captured by these scenes, so I want to remember my feelings. That is why I paint what I do.

-Trent

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Raised in a small farming town in eastern Utah, artist Trent Gudmundsen spent his childhood wandering among the fields and canyons near his home, and was driven from an early age to record his impressions of life with his brushes and paint. By the time he was twelve, Gudmundsen already had a determination to make his life one of art. With little training or "book knowledge" he would bring his easel out into the pastures and hills near his house to paint whenever he got the chance. He is grateful to have received some guidance from landscape artist VaLoy Eaton, who introduced Trent to the works of various master painters of the past and present.

Some years later, as a young art student in college, Trent eventually found his grades slipping after he began spending nearly all day every day painting in the nearby canyons instead of going to his classes. Not only did Trent's hands-on experience at that time help to fine-tune his ability to see and appreciate nature, but his attitude towards hard work and self-education has continued all his life.

The artist finds beauty in many places, and is therefore attracted to paint a variety of subjects, but his mature style and honest approach are easily recognizable in any subject. Trent found his artistic beginnings in the landscapes of the West, and admits that he once was quite intimidated by the thought of painting people, but is now known more for his figures than anything. Gudmundsen is described as "a young artist who has the mature brushstroke of someone who's been painting for 50 years or more". With a love of both impressionism and detail, Gudmundsen approaches his paintings with a "less is more" attitude, but delights in adding just the right amount of detail where necessary.

Having gained national recognition with his distinct interpretations of restaurant interiors, Trent is now re-visiting favorite subjects and ideas, with the intent of focusing more on the individuals instead of just the ambiance of the group settings.

A main focus of Trent's right now is to portray the female figure as the focal point in a variety of contemplative situations, (including within the landscape, for which he still has a deep appreciation).

Gudmundsen's work has been featured in Southwest Art's (In a solo feature in 2010, and earlier in their annual "21 Under 31" article). Trent has been recognized in many prestigious national shows and invitationals. Twice, Trent's entry at the Oil Painters of America National Show was chosen by juror Kevin Macpherson for an "Award of Excellence" (2003 & 2009). Trent's work has been included in Paint the Parks "Top 100", Arts for the Parks "Top 200", and several times in the International Museum of Contemporary Masters' "Salon International". Gudmundsen has been invited to participate in the Richard Schmid Auction, the Texas Art Auction, and regularly participates in the Windows to the Divine Invitational in Denver, the Shenandoah Invitational in Virginia, and the Dixie State Invitational in Utah. Trent's paintings have appeared in Ensign magazine, and also in the book My Dear Sisters by Gordon B. Hinckley.

Gudmundsen's work is represented by galleries in Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, and Utah. Trent and his wife, Lorajean, and their three children currently live in Logan, Utah. Trent enjoys practicing traditional homesteading skills, and he and Lorajean are currently in the final stages of restoring their 100-year-old house. (Trent also recently built a chicken coop, and filled it with 8 hens...they now get more eggs than they could possibly eat)..