For the premier edition of Steamboat Magazine's Eye Candy section, we focus on ski art from national and international artists. People say carving the perfect turn is an art in and of itself. These images feature not only perfect turns, but perfect brush strokes as well.

Above: "Slope Adventure," David V. Gonzalez, acrylic on panel, 30" x 30", 2019.
David V. Gonzalez is a Colorado-based artist whose bright acrylic paintings often feature skiers as well as cyclists, landscapes and towns. “Slope Adventure” depicts a female skier absorbing the sun and having fun carving through a snowy hillside. “The spirit soars in this skier as they merge with their love and excitement of being one with the snow on a sky-blue day,” David says.

 "Steamboat," Topher Straus, sublimed on aluminum, 30" x 60", 2023.

Topher Straus has always loved Steamboat Springs. “It’s where I learned to ski powder as a boy,” he says. His painting, “Steamboat,” celebrates the life of his friend, Justin DeSorrento, who loved Steamboat as well. “The style is very different than my other, more psychedelic paintings, because it’s full of the energy of the town and mountain,” Topher says. “I put a sole star in the sky to celebrate DeSo."

 "Bar-U-E," Pete Caswell, acrylic on art paper, 65 x 50 cm.

Pete Caswell is an international ski artist who has been painting his favorite resorts for 20 years. While his work has taken him around the globe, Bar-U-E is one of his favorite lifts. “This really is a lift I could ski and paint all day,” Pete says. “Painfully slow but that is a perk. The bottom of this lift with the old mechanism and skiers lined up was just a dream of contrasts so it had to end up on the easel. Great colors and a very loose style made it come together in a dream. I love it.”

 "Gentem Rider," Max Rowe, acrylic on canvas, 36" x 36", 2023.

Max Rowe combined his passions – skiing and painting – to help him find his voice as an artist. He aims to explore skiing and ski culture with his work, often finding inspiration in other artists, interpreting their pieces, and then inspiring more skiers and snowboarders with his own paintings. “Gentem Rider” depicts the unique style of snowboarding he encountered while traveling in Japan. “These riders, who exclusively ride the brand Gentem (identifiable by the red mark on the tip and bottom of the board), are specifically interested in making beautiful carves both on and off piste,” Max says. “Their dedication to their craft is both admirable and inspiring."

"Last Run," Mark McMahon, watercolor on paper, 30" x 32", 2023.

Mark McMahon is from Lake Forest, Illinois. His work depicts cities – Chicago, in particular – sports, universities, the Great Lakes, and classic scenes of Steamboat. He is represented locally by Schoonover Gallery.