About the Cover Artist: Greg Effinger

Greg Effinger is always up for an adventure – especially if it involves painting en plein air, which his adventures are prone to include.  This edition’s cover artist was born and raised in Steamboat Springs, so he knows where to go. “I like to find back roads and different locations that are unique to our area,” he says. “I like to go off in a direction and find images that I want to put on paper.”

He does that these days with watercolors, forgoing oil paints years ago. “Me and watercolors get along,” he explains. “With oil paints, I was always second guessing myself or waiting for it to dry. But it’s almost like watercolors were made for plein air.”

In addition to his iconic scenes of downtown Steamboat, Greg notes that what he really likes is “tired old stuff.” Cabins that have fallen down, old machinery, barns on their last legs. “It’s a  juxtaposition of the scenery with a subject matter that really tells a story,” he says. “That’s what interests me.”

The cover art, “Strawberry Park Field,” was painted five years ago on a spring morning as the snow melted off the mountain in the background. “Plein air is very authentic,” Greg says. “It’s you, the subject matter and the scene. Well, and the elements as well; the wind kicks up, the sun beats down, the bugs come and bite you and a lot of folks stop and chat.” Which he enjoys, he’s quick to clarify. “I’ve even had people say they want a painting right off the easel.”

That’s bound to happen at this year’s plein air event hosted by Steamboat Art Museum. Greg has attended the event since the beginning, for 20 years. “It’s a great event and it’s important that it’s attended by both local and visiting artists,” he says. “I mean, it’s incredible for me because it’s right here, out my back door.”

This year’s event takes place Friday-Friday, Sept, 18-25 with the paintings on display and for sale through Saturday, Oct. 31. 

Passersby might find Greg downtown, painting one of his favorite Steamboat scenes. It’s a downtown view with a bustling Lincoln Avenue and the mountain serving as a regal backdrop. “I kind of got typecast into it,” he says, “but luckily I enjoy it. It’s quintessential Steamboat.”