Jim Bortz is a master of wildlife painting, known for his powerful ability to bring the untamed beauty of nature to life with breathtaking accuracy and depth. A devoted outdoorsman, Bortz ventures deep into the wilderness, observing animals in their natural habitats to capture not just their form—but their spirit, motion, and environment with unmatched authenticity.

His paintings resonate with a raw, intimate energy—each brushstroke informed by firsthand experience and a deep respect for the natural world. Whether it’s the silent stillness of a deer in morning light or the kinetic grace of a trout beneath the water’s surface, Bortz delivers scenes that are as dynamic as they are reverent.

Particularly acclaimed for his underwater trout compositions, Bortz has earned national recognition for portraying these elusive fish with a stunning blend of technical skill and artistic soul. His work reflects not only what wildlife looks like—but what it feels like to encounter it in the wild.

Now showing at Illume Gallery West, Bortz continues to redefine wildlife art through a lens of adventure, respect, and masterful realism.

 

Brent Cotton is a nationally acclaimed landscape painter whose work is renowned for its dreamlike mist, glowing light, and deeply personal connection to the natural world. With a painter’s eye and a fisherman’s soul, Cotton captures not just the beauty of streams and forests—but the primal, almost spiritual urge to be within them.

His signature scenes often feature softly illuminated mist rising from a quiet river, pierced by golden beams of light filtering through the trees—often revealing a solitary fisherman immersed in the moment. The mood is timeless. The atmosphere, ethereal. Each painting feels like a memory you’ve lived, or wish you had.

Cotton’s mastery of light and shadow is amazing, creating compositions that feel both grounded and otherworldly. As an avid fisherman, he paints from experience, imbuing his work with authenticity and emotional depth that resonates with collectors. His pieces aren’t simply landscapes—they are invitations to step into stillness and reflection.

A long-respected figure in the art world, Brent Cotton continues to captivate audiences and collectors alike, with works that linger in the heart long after they leave the wall. Now exhibiting at Illume Gallery West, his paintings remain a celebration of nature, solitude, and the timeless call of the water.

 

Jeremy Goodding is a master of classical still life, best known for his striking and thoughtful paintings of pottery. His work transcends simple representation—each piece is a study in form, contrast, and restraint. Drawing inspiration from ceramics found across the globe, Goodding gives ancient vessels new voice through contemporary composition and timeless technique.

What sets Goodding apart is his intentional use of negative space. In his hands, emptiness becomes eloquent—framing the pottery not just as objects, but as icons of culture, history, and quiet beauty. There is never redundancy in his work; every painting is a fresh meditation, a balance of tension and tranquility.

Highly awarded and widely respected, Goodding’s work is marked by bold contrasts and subtle control. His pieces are minimal yet powerful, classical yet modern—allowing the simplicity of the subject to command space with quiet authority.

Now on view at Illume Gallery West, Jeremy Goodding continues to elevate still life painting with clarity, depth, and reverence for the global stories held within every vessel.

 

Colt Idol stands at the intersection of tradition and bold innovation, blending classical Western subjects with a distinctly contemporary energy. Known for his vivid use of color and commanding large-scale compositions, Idol’s work captures the spirit of the American West with a power and luminosity that feels almost elemental.

His paintings often explore themes of Native American history and life, telling stories of resilience, beauty, and connection to the land. Whether depicting vast landscapes bathed in the glow of dawn or portraying the enduring traditions of Native cultures, Idol infuses each piece with a reverence for heritage and a fearless approach to color.

Sunrises and sunsets are recurring moments in his work—not simply for their visual splendor, but for their metaphorical weight. His canvases seem to burn with the very fire of the sun, illuminating not just the scene, but the soul of the West itself.

Now featured at Illume Gallery West, Colt Idol continues to push the boundaries of Western art, creating immersive, radiant works that are both timeless and unmistakably his own.

 

Shanna Kunz is among the most celebrated landscape painters in the United States, known for her impressionistic style and her rare ability to evoke mood, memory, and quiet storytelling through the land itself. Her work doesn’t shout—it resonates. With a palette that leans toward the subtle and sophisticated, Kunz creates paintings rich in color and emotion, where the light feels lived in and the scenery speaks for itself.

Every composition invites the viewer into a personal dialogue with nature—whether it’s the hush of a foggy morning, the warmth of twilight across open fields, or the quiet presence of rural life nestled within the land. Her farm scenes are not the focus but the whispers—woven into the fabric of her landscapes with honesty and grace.

Kunz’s mastery lies not only in what she paints, but in how she paints it—allowing space for introspection, for breath, for connection. Her paintings are deeply sought after by collectors across the country, drawn to the calm authority and emotional depth of her work.

Now exhibiting at Illume Gallery West, Shanna Kunz continues to elevate the American landscape with sensitivity, reverence, and timeless beauty.

 

Elizabeth Robbins is widely recognized as one of the top still life floral painters in the United States, celebrated for her ability to capture the delicate beauty and soulful presence of flowers with unmatched grace and realism. Highly awarded and ranked among the top five in her genre, Robbins brings a rare authenticity to her work—growing many of the flowers she paints, including her signature heirloom roses.

Her paintings are a study in light, texture, and emotion, combining classical technique with a deep personal connection to her subjects. Each composition is a quiet, contemplative moment—an homage to nature’s fleeting elegance and timeless symbolism.

While roses remain her specialty, Robbins’s work also explores the vibrant diversity of floral life and the striking imagery of Native American Indian headdresses, blending cultural reverence with masterful execution.

Currently exhibiting at Illume Gallery West, Robbins continues to elevate the still life tradition with sincerity, skill, and a profound love for the natural world she so intimately portrays.