Celebration of Fine Art

Kirk Randle has been a part of the Celebration of Fine Art since the very first year in 1991. We’ve watched his work explode into stunning works that take your breath away and we’ve seen his family grow up (more about that later)! His collectors span the globe and many are very familiar faces at the Celebration! He’s even been immortalized in a song tribute written by one of his collectors! Bountiful, Utah is his home base, but from January 16 through March 29, 2009 you’ll find him in his working studio at the Celebration of Fine Art from 10 am until 6 pm. He often comes back after dinner to paint late into the night which shows his passion for what he does.

Kirk Randle is what he paints. To appreciate his work, one must assume the romantic’s sensitive, highly perceptive stance. As it applies here, this is an attitude of emotional candor that establishes the artist’s feelings towards a person, place or event as that entity’s most important feature. Working from this premise, Kirk tends to paint more from feeling than from an immediate response to an object or a scene.

A native of Utah, Kirk’s subject matter is often Rocky Mountain vistas, landscapes, country homesteads and Native American subjects. His landscapes frequently contain sunsets like those vivid bleeding colors that are the hallmark of the Arizona sunsets.

In 2008, he was invited to spend a week living and working in the original home and studio of Edward Hopper on Cape Cod.

Edward Hopper, 1935
…following his first retrospective

“In every artist’s development the germ of the later work is always found In the earlier…What he was once, he always is, with slight modifications. Changing fashions in methods or subject matter alter him little or not at all.”

We all have experiences that “rock our world”. These experiences focus us in a new direction or add layer to our success. “It was one of the most important experiences of my life. Seeing from his perspective the vastness of the land and ocean, smelling the air and listening to the rain all became moments of inspiration.” Says Kirk.

Look for a new body of work to premier at the 2009 Celebration of Fine Art with the numerous paintings based on his trip to the Edward Hopper House. You will see his eyes light up as he describes his experience while creating each of these paintings.

As a family man, Kirk encouraged his son, James Randle, to pursue his passion in painting. James’ success allowed him to join the Celebration in 2008 and to return in 2009.

(left) Kirk watches James add a finishing touch to one of Kirk’s paintings.

Now a Grandfather, Kirk is passing the brush on to his daughter’s son, Henry, to carry on the family business.

Kirk’s grandson, Henry gets in on the action!

Giving back to our community has been an integral part of the Celebration of Fine Art since it’s inception.  Over the years we have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars back to a variety of worthy causes through partnerships with our artists.  At this time when needs are ever increasing and giving has dropped significantly, we feel it is more important that ever to continue with our commitment to give back to our community that we love being a part of. 

For 2009, the Celebration of Fine Art management and it’s participating Artists have once again partnered in pledging support through cash donations to both Liberty Wildlife and St. Mary’s Food Bank.  The Celebration of Fine Art will donate $2500 to support each organization.  Each artist has had the opportunity to select a specific work of art which, when sold, will result in a portion of the proceeds going to the charity of their choice which will be marked with a special tag.  And, the purchaser will know that in addition to adding a beautiful work of art to their collection, they have helped make a difference in the community. 

In addition, visitors can lend their support to these organizations when they visit the event.  We are an official collection center for canned food items and cash donations for St. Mary’s Food Bank from January 16 through March 29, 2009.  Please bring what you can and drop it at the donation box on your way in to visit.  And be sure to join us for the annual “Art of Food” Event which will showcase the talents of the students of the Community Kitchen Culinary Training Program sponsored by St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.  Also, you can lend your support to Liberty Wildlife by making a cash donation each time they visit with their birds.  Please see our “Special Events” page for more details on these events.

We count ourselves as very blessed and find true joy by giving to others.