Sweeter in the Shade

Madelynn Mutter

Madelynn Mutter is an oil painter from Northern Utah. She studied illustration in college and has participated in art shows and festivals throughout the Western US. Her work often portrays life in rural America— a place she grew up in and knows intimately. Her paintings reflect the quieter, pastoral aspects of life with muted tones and soft edges. It celebrates the beauty of nature and human connection with the larger animal world.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

“ I paint western art because as the world becomes more centralized, it is easy to lose sight of how life looks in rural America. Growing up in what was once rural Utah, it has been hard to watch farmers and ranchers sell off property because their children are not interested in continuing their way of life. My work is dedicated to the joys and connections that modern rural life has before it is lost to an ever growing & busy world. 

My process starts on local farms and ranches, making connections with these small, family run operations.. I seek out family ranches that are in the Northern Utah region, and spend days throughout the year with them while they work. I ask questions, take notes and photographs which I can reference later. The images and notes I take help me develop a concept for each piece. I'm looking for images that I believe will spark curiosity for the god-fearing grittiness of rural life. I find that I am attracted to reference photos that capture the tender emotion between ranchers & livestock. I believe that real life is often more interesting than a polished front, and I work to keep the paintings true to life in rural America. 

I work through my references in multiple stages, starting with value, composition, and color studies. This extensive preliminary work allows me to sink into the complexity of oil painting, and draw out the feeling and energy I want in the final piece. The final part of my process is sharing my work with the families that allow me to use their livelihoods in my work, and to see their story shared with people across the world. My hope is that through sharing my work, the stories of these hardworking families won’t be forgotten.”