Seth Butler

I paint surrealistic landscapes, using photographs as only a touchstone from
which to branch out, and creatively interpret what the imagination sees. As I dip
toes into fantasy realms, reality is never a safety net, but just the bottom of the
creative swimming pool. I take the viewer and myself floating to the surface, as I
seek not only to show the surface beauty of the natural world, but also it’s
timeless and bold nature. To stop, breathe, and reflect on the mystery of nature,
is to reinvigorate our intent, and reflect personal restoration. As I extend the
space of possibilities, the act of such is merely a reflection of the natural world
living simply.

Seth Butler is a fine artist based in Upstate New York, specializing in capturing
contemporary landscape and fantasy scenes in bold color and decisive markings and patterns. Recently, he collaborated with artist curator Dan Cameron for a pop up show in Greenwich NY, and later a group show at Lake George Arts Project. There is an ongoing conversation with Mr. Cameron about how the work is evolving and morphing. American, and born in 1974, Mr. Butler attended UAlbany MFA program, where his work spun off from fantasy subjects, embracing landscape as a conduit of information and the basis of future work, without forgetting creative interpretation as the vehicle to steer. Mr. Butler works primarily in oil, in a variety of scale, and currently is working from a collection of nature photos taken on serene walks in the woods. Color and shadow are accentuated to explore abstraction and not-so-obvious qualities that inform the structure of the composition, sometimes using pattern for a tree trunk or leaves, and bold darks set against airy highlights. The landscape sets the table at its base, allowing for new language to emerge.