Dan Bodelson is a rebel. Not a James Dean kind of rebel, not a rebel without a cause, but rather one whose focus is art. You see, so much about art, according to Bodelson, has to do with defying the rules—in essence, rebelling.

“In fact, there are no rules,” he says. “Because, if someone says ‘You can’t do that and don’t mix that color with that [other one],’ the first thing an artist will go and do is just what you said not to.

Dan Bodelson (New Mexico)

Too Cold to Ride
Oil
40″ x 30″
“I came across this cliff in the mountains across the valley near us. I just wanted to paint it because of the way the snow hung on it. The idea was a reminder of the cold days hunting in Colorado with my Dad. I always thought it was too cold to ride, but knew not to say anything. Having a fire was a luxury I never had.”

Dan Bodelson (New Mexico)

Sacred Smoke
Oil
30″ x 24″
“One of the models I was working with one day at my house was taking a break and wanted to smoke some sweet grass. He wanted to say a prayer for some of the items we were using that day. I had some things he thought needed a blessing. This painting grew out of that day, using some of my things and some of his.”