Todd Mayfield likes to tell people he was born with a paintbrush in his ear.
Mayfield said he inherited the artistic gene from his father’s side of the family. Many of his family members have been prolific artists, including his late father, Wayne, which helped stoke a great interest in anything creative. His love for fine arts combined with an appreciation for the people and places of the Southwest also inspire his creations and style. Mayfield is creatively fueled by a drive to improve his craft.
“I’ve always believed that, especially as you get older, you have to stay current. You cannot rest on your laurels. You have to keep challenging yourself,” he said. Drawing inspiration from French Impressionism, Vincent Van Gogh and contemporary Native American influences, Mayfield has settled into a vibrant, dynamic art style that he calls Southwestern Impressionism.
He grew up in Hawaii, and currently resides in both Ouray and Mexico, where he finds much of his inspiration.
The 20 pieces in his upcoming show represent the places and people of the Southwest with bold colors. Mayfield described his latest style as similar to Van Gogh’s fields of colorful brushstrokes, though not quite as loose.
Mayfield described his creative process as intuitive, letting the painting evolve on its own without a firm plan.
When the community takes in his art, he hopes they will “feel the joy of representing people and places that are more geared towards indigenous existence.”
A longtime graphic designer, Mayfield started Avia Design Group 23 years ago, a business focused on branding, advertising and wayfinding. This work led him throughout the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and South America. His design work for clients includes creating sign systems for cities and towns, graphics and logos for businesses and video advertisements. He makes his own art to express himself, he said.
His career as a graphic designer helped him develop a strong sense of balance and composition, which he applies to his artwork. “I’ve learned a lot through graphic design, how to really emphasize good composition,” he said, “but then my impressionistic desire has forced me to take that and loosen up, so it’s a little more expressive.”
During his career, he created his own art whenever he had the time. Now, he is in the process of semi-retirement: slowing his business down and focusing on Ouray Studio, where he does his own art.
His portfolio can be found online at ouray.studio. His art show, “Southwestern Impressionism,” is on display at the 610 Arts Collective, 610 Clinton St. in Ridgway from June 2-26.
The opening reception is from 5-7 p.m. Friday, during Ridgway’s First Friday Art Walk. To encourage people to attend, Mayfield will do a drawing to give one of his oil paintings away, valued at $450.
