Ian Fisher Will Change The Way You See Clouds

Denver artist Ian Fisher captures the dramatic nature of clouds in his oil paintings.

Some people stop and smell the roses. Artist Ian Fisher simply looks up, often spending hours on the roof above his studio in Denver, watching the ever-changing cloudscapes, which serve as inspiration for his vibrant paintings — some almost abstract, others hyperrealistic.

“I push outside the edges, but then I find myself sliding back,” Fisher explains. “I’m forming ideas behind color, line and figure ground, but I’m executing through the vehicle of a cloud.”

Here, we caught up with the artist to learn about his favorite works, his top vacation destination and what his process is like.

He often uses a rag to clean his brushes as he works.

He often uses a rag to clean his brushes as he works.

A large oil on canvas represents "one of the rare moments where I include the notion of a horizon line," says Fisher.

A large oil on canvas represents "one of the rare moments where I include the notion of a horizon line," says Fisher.

He uses oil paints--especially Old Holland--and a variety of brushes to create his pieces.

He uses oil paints--especially Old Holland--and a variety of brushes to create his pieces.

How do you get your creative juices flowing?

You’ve got to make time in the studio. Inspiration happens for me mostly when I’m in the middle of a piece.

What’s one vacation/destination you always tell your friends to add to their bucket list?

The Blue Grotto in Capri, Italy. It’s hard to describe the color, light and darkness once your eyes adjust. It was like traveling through a portal.

The best piece of advice I ever received was…

Work hard. Show up. Be a good person.

If you could get feedback on your work from anyone, who would it be?

My wife is great at this. She’s seen every one of my paintings for the past 12 years, so she’s basically the expert on my work.

If you were given $20,000, how would you spend it?

I’d give it to my wife. If we were being smart we’d pay off debt. If we were blowing it, I think we’d spend it (quickly) on traveling, eating, drinking and buying art.

What are you currently reading?

I just finished rereading Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. He’s one of my favorite authors.

Tell us about one of your favorite art pieces in your home.

I have a sculpture by Dmitri Obergfell. I love the blend of an almost nostalgic, classical form being transformed into a present age and maybe glimpsing into the future.

I always keep these three items on my nightstand.

A phone, some water and a lamp.

PHOTOS: JULIA VANDENOEVER