A THIRD-GENERATION ARTIST, Josh Elliott was raised to appreciate art. His grandfather studied with Grant Wood and dabbled in all sorts of artistic pursuits. His father, wildlife artist Steve Elliott, who gave up a successful career as an ER doctor to become a full-time artist, taught and encouraged him. Elliott learned the importance of painting from life and discovered his passion for painting outdoors. He sees his outdoor paintings as a reaction to what is in front of him and feels that on location study sharpens his skills. He considers his studio paintings to be a culmination of everything he has learned from painting outdoors, combined with his own artistic interpretation. Josh now lives with his wife and two daughters in Helena, Montana.
Josh believes that we were made to appreciate beauty, and he feels his work is a celebration of beauty and truth. Although being true to reality is important to Josh, he aims to create “art;” something interpretive, something more than a good rendering, something of himself. Josh says, “A good painting, to me, is Nature’s truth filtered through the artist.”
Notable Awards and Achievements
2018 Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Quest for the West, Victor Higgins Award of Distinction
2018 Whitney Museum of Western Art at Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Artwork Acquisition
2016 Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Quest for the West, Harrison Eiteljorg Purchase Award
2015 Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Quest for the West, Henry Farny Award for Best Painting
2011 Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Quest for the West, Artists’ Choice Award
2010 Montana Historical Society, Western Rendezvous of Art, Ben Stahl Award
2008 Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Quest for the West, Palette Award
2007 Thunderbird Foundation for the Arts, Maynard Dixon Country Camp Out Invitational, Edith Hamlin Award
2007 Montana Historical Society, Western Rendezvous of Art, Artistic Merit Award
2007 C.M. Russell Museum, C. M. Russell Art Auction, Honorary Chairman Award
2006 Montana Historical Society, Western Rendezvous of Art, Legacy and Artistic Merit Awards
2005 Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Plein Air Invitational, Maynard Dixon and Quick Draw Awards
Gallery Representation
Claggett/Rey Gallery, Vail, Colorado
Maxwell Alexander Gallery, Los Angeles, California
Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery, Tucson, Arizona
Simpson Gallagher Gallery, Cody, Wyoming