"Bell Rock" 24 x 20 original framed acrylic by Andrew Bolam retail $3,400

Andrew is an English-born painter who currently resides along the shores of Lake Tahoe, CA. He was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne in Northern England in 1971. He was educated at the Newcastle College School of Art and Design in England, where he received a degree in graphic design. His career as a professional artist began as an illustrator in Los Angeles in 1990, where he refined many of the techniques he now employs in his work. The lack of creativity and the constraints of graphic design eventually drove him from that career, however at which time he relocated to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in 1995 and returned to his first love of painting landscapes. It was there, amidst the awe-inspiring peaks and valleys of the Sierra, that Bolam unearthed a newfound passion for painting. Collectors began to take notice, and soon he was painting full time to supply demand for his work.

Although a studio painter his work is firmly rooted in experience. A passionate traveler and explorer, field work is the essence of his painterly oil. Whether neck deep in muddy water in a Utah slot canyon or road side in rural Montana, Bolam can be found, sketch book in hand, chasing his muse. Bolam confesses "I have so much affection for the American west that I can hardly keep up with my desire to paint what I see." His subject matter is diverse as his travels. He paints a broken down old barn in the California foothills, a soaring Rocky Mountain peak or the last touch of sunlight on the Colorado plateau.

Recently, Andrew embarked upon a new series of works inspired by his travels around the American west and studies of Native American art and artifacts. These arresting paintings blend art, culture and history into new works of art that display depth, texture and nuance.

"I blend my personal history and interests with a deep love for the American west and a profound respect for its culture and people onto canvas."

Long recognized as one of the premiere fine art galleries of the West, Mountain Trails Gallery proudly represents many of the most renowned contemporary and western artists of our time. The gallery features an eclectic mix of representational and impressionist paintings and sculpture as well as a broad selection of western artifact reproductions. A wide variety of subject matter is offered, including western, figurative, wildlife, still-life and landscapes.