Colt Idol is hard at work in the studio at his home in Whitefish, Montana. That’s not surprising, but what is surprising is that he’s surrounded by 21 paintings on the floor and hanging on the walls in a U-shape around him.
“Right now, I have 21 pieces in the works,” he says. “Some artists work in a more linear fashion, but I like to spend about three hours on a piece and then go on to another. I work on four or five pieces each day; it helps me get a stronger end piece by spending time with it. I might see something new, see what the paintings need.”
Those paintings represent an eclectic mix of contemporary subjects, including cattle, landscapes, wildlife, Native Americans, figures, and still lifes. While Idol’s subjects vary, they all have something in common: a magnificent combination of light and color.
Read the full article in the May/June 2025 issue.
You Lookin’ At Me?
oil
40″ by 60″
Feels Like Home
oil
48″ by 60″
