Artists become known for signature works and increasingly Dan Smith’s “water” paintings are becoming “must haves” for collectors. As is the case for “Stillwater Crossing,” evidently “must haves” for museum collections as well. Dan created this painting specifically for the Eiteljorg Museum’s Quest for the West Art Show. In a strong overall showing of art, Smith’s painting won the show’s Harrison Eiteljorg Purchase Award and is now part of the museum’s permanent collection.

It is easy to see why museums and collectors think Smith is doing something special. Water and its qualities are one of the toughest real world experiences to translate convincingly into painting. From the reflective qualities of the placid surface to the bison’s turbulent wake, what you see here is flawless. A true signature work from a highly respected American artist.

Mountain lions once roamed nearly all of the United States. They were prized by hunters and despised by farmers and ranchers who suffered livestock losses at their hands. Subsequently, by the dawn of the 20th century, mountain lions were eliminated from nearly all of their range in the Midwest and Eastern U. S.

Mountain lions require a lot of room—only a few cats can survive in a 30-square-mile range. They are solitary and shy animals, seldom seen by humans.

Certainly, a bison itself is anything but ethereal ― each is about as light and delicate as a Mack Truck.

Yellowstone’s winters are often severe with deep snows and temperatures that reach -44F. With thick skin and underfur, long hairs and layers of fat, these massive beasts are built to survive and thrive in such an environment. Even so the geyser basins, hot springs and thermals are attractive destinations during these frosty months.

“Living in the mountains of Montana has provided me with ample time to experience snow,” says Smith. “Fresh snow creates wonderful textures and a quiet serenity that is always inspiring. Wolf reintroduction in the West has rekindled my interest in this extraordinary predator.

“My paintings are a reflection of many years of field work and my passion for the natural world. My objective is to share my passion through a scientifically accurate, realistic painting while maintaining artistic integrity.”

“Painting the fur on the American Bison is a challenge in my highly realistic style. But when I do that successfully, you can get a real sense of proximity to this incredible beast. The smooth water of the Lamar River carries golden reflections of the surrounding prairie intermingled with the blue patches of sky. I am really pleased with how this painting came out.”

This access gave Dan a leg up at this year’s Masters of the American West Exhibition and Sale where the 30” x 48” “Heavy Hitters” took home the 2011 Bob Kuhn Wildlife Award for best wildlife painting. “It’s an incredible honor,” Smith states with awe. “I’m the youngest to have been selected for this award. You always hope that your work will be recognized, but never expect it. To be included in the ranks of Bob Kuhn, Tucker Smith, Ken Carlson and Kent Ullberg is a privilege.”

“Heavy Hitters” focus is the look in the eyes of a 2000 pound, six-feet tall by twelve-feet in length bison in rut that lets you know he means business. The ferocity of this intent combined with all that mass is an extraordinary display. The snorting and pawing of dirt builds to the point where the two males make contact. You know by the look in left-hand bison’s eyes that this is the real deal.

There is a return to things that radiate the greatness of our national heritage. One of our most renowned treasures is the American wilderness. “Radiant Repose” captures the essence of the untamed beauty that that makes the wilderness wild. The painting was created for the 2009 Couer D’Alene Auction.

Daniel’s use of early morning light cast across this sinuous mountain top brings to life the positive and negative shapes of this snow and rock terrain.

“Fully Engaged” captures the complete essence of this mountain lion in a single moment, a brief pause in an otherwise very physical existence. This 28″ x 20″ Fine Art Canvas Edition leaves us stilled at the fierce beauty of this alpine predator.

Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) has a wide distribution and adapts quickly which is why its population has increased alongside that of man. They are omnivores, eating berries and bugs, but prefer squirrel, rabbits, mice and other small mammals.

“Painting the fur on the American Bison is a challenge in my highly realistic style. But when I do that successfully, you can get a real sense of proximity to this incredible beast. The smooth water of the Lamar River carries golden reflections of the surrounding prairie intermingled with the blue patches of sky. ”

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This access gave Dan a leg up at this year’s Masters of the American West Exhibition and Sale where the 30” x 48” “Heavy Hitters” took home the 2011 Bob Kuhn Wildlife Award for best wildlife painting. “It’s an incredible honor,” Smith states with awe. “I’m the youngest to have been selected for this award. You always hope that your work will be recognized, but never expect it. To be included in the ranks of Bob Kuhn, Tucker Smith, Ken Carlson and Kent Ullberg is a privilege.”

“Heavy Hitters” focus is the look in the eyes of a 2000 pound, six-feet tall by twelve-feet in length bison in rut that lets you know he means business. The ferocity of this intent combined with all that mass is an extraordinary display. The snorting and pawing of dirt builds to the point where the two males make contact. You know by the look in left-hand bison’s eyes that this is the real deal.

Few species have undergone the change in public perception, thanks to conservation and education efforts, like the wolf. Dan’s involvement with the Yellowstone Wolf Recovery Project in the mid-1990s, when wolves were first being reintroduced to the Park, reinvigorated his interest in this apex predator.

North American cougars are now largely extinct in the Northeast United States but are still prevalent in parts of the West, notably Wyoming which has the largest North American population. A solitary, stalk-and-ambush predator, cougar favor deer, elk, bighorn sheep and the occasional domestic cattle.

Fleeting Sun is unusual for Daniel Smith in that the sunlight is hitting his subject perpendicularly, highlighting the silky, tawny coat against the cool shadows of gathering dusk in the cliffs.

During confrontations with others, the mane makes the lion look larger Weights for adult lions range between 330–550 lbs. for males and 264–400 lbs. for females. Nowell and Jackson report average weights of 400 lbs. for males and 280 lbs. for females. Lions tend to vary in size depending on their environment and area, resulting in a wide spread in recorded weights. For instance, lions in southern Africa tend to be about 5 percent heavier than those in East Africa, in general.