Andy Skaff’s love of the West provides the inspiration for his light- filled, vibrant landscapes. By painting outdoors in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and throughout the West, he has developed a deep appreciation for the color and beauty of the western landscape. His paintings convey the clear sense of strong color and deep contrasts, which he sees in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and high deserts of New Mexico and Arizona.
Andy works in oils in the Plein Air tradition. He began college as an art major at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Although he enjoyed a successful law practice, Andy never lost interest in painting and collecting art. After 34 years, he decided to pursue his passion on a full-time basis. He has studied extensively with the renowned painter Kevin Macpherson. Andy is a member of the Oil Painters of America, the California Art Club, and the North Tahoe Arts Association. He is also a volunteer fireman at Lake Tahoe’s Meeks Bay Fire District.
In 2005 and 2006, Andy’s paintings were shown in several successful solo exhibitions in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe. In 2007, his paintings were selected for The semiannual Plein Air exhibit at the Napa Valley Museum, the Oil Painters of America Western Regional exhibit in Santa Barbara and for the 2007 Sunset Magazine Western Idea House in Truckee. Andy is a resident instructor in plein air painting at the new Martis Camp Folk School (Lake Tahoe). Andy published his book, “The Color of My World” in June 2008. The Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe purchased Andy’s works for its collection and for limited reproduction in its executive suites. At the recent North Tahoe Plein Air painting event, his painting, “Big Ben” received the People’s Choice award.
