The best painters around Vail Valley

Art has long been part of the fabric of Vail Valley life. The region’s breathtaking landscapes, natural light, and mountain spirit inspire painters to capture moments that balance realism, abstraction, and emotion. Each year, the Best of Vail Valley contest recognizes the artists whose creativity brings color and character to the community’s cultural landscape. This year’s winners and finalists reflect the many ways painters interpret the energy of mountain life—through vivid compositions, bold brushwork, and deep personal expression.

Gus Gruner || @Gus.Contemporary: Based in Vail, Gus Gruner is known for contemporary works that blur the line between natural form and abstract design. His pieces often feature bright color palettes and layered textures that suggest movement and mood. The artist’s social media gallery, @Gus.Contemporary, highlights his ongoing exploration of modern composition and dynamic spatial play.

Margo Thomas || Margo Thomas Art: From her Edwards studio, Margo Thomas creates paintings that celebrate the natural world in richly layered acrylics and mixed media. Her website notes a particular emphasis on texture and color relationships, evoking both the serenity and vitality of Colorado’s mountain landscapes. Thomas also offers workshops and commissions, welcoming viewers into her creative process and encouraging a connection between art and daily life.

Tara Novak || Custom Creations Inc: A longtime Eagle resident, Tara Novak brings a distinctive fusion of realism and impressionism to her paintings. According to her website, she draws inspiration from both Western themes and everyday encounters, creating art that captures emotion through expressive brushwork and vibrant tone. Novak’s portfolio includes murals, commissions, and fine-art originals that reflect her view of painting as both storytelling and craftsmanship.

Bev Ruiz || Bev Ruiz: Working from Vail, Bev Ruiz paints contemporary and impressionistic works rooted in the natural beauty of the Rockies. Her website features bold, color-saturated pieces that balance fine-art technique with a personal sense of joy and spontaneity. Ruiz’s paintings often highlight flora, fauna, and abstracted landscapes that mirror her connection to her mountain surroundings.

Carrie Calvin || Sunward: Based in Gypsum, Carrie Calvin merges her skills as both artist and designer under her brand, Sunward. Her creative work extends across painting, printmaking, and textile-inspired pieces, reflecting an adventurous blend of pattern, color, and form. Through Sunward, she shares her distinctive vision of life in the high country—vivid, organic, and ever evolving.

From the studios of Eagle to the galleries of Vail, these painters bring depth and diversity to Vail Valley’s thriving arts scene. Their work enriches the region’s identity, reminding residents and visitors alike that creativity here is as expansive as the mountain sky.

Thanks, ChatGPT.