"Fluid Landscapes" by Michael Kinsley
“Adagio Wood” by Michael Kinsley (oil)
“I aim to convey deep emotional connection to Nature, appreciate its fragility, and offer solace and even environmental advocacy.”
Carbondale Arts presents “Fluid Landscapes” a solo exhibition by Michael Kinsley at the Carbondale Arts Gallery, on display October 3 - 30, 2025. The opening reception will take place First Friday, October 3, from 5-7pm at The Launchpad, with an artist talk at 5:30pm.
Note that there are 2 other exhibitions that will run concurrently (October 3 - 30) in the gallery space:
”Intimate. Immensity” by Laura Dortmans and “Recording Time (with Scraps and Words)” by Courtney Kenny
Michael Kinsley’s newer landscape paintings are notable for their intriguing amplification of Nature’s sensual forms. These “fluid” landscapes in oil depict familiar scenes in Southeastern Utah and Western Colorado, especially the Roaring Fork Valley.
Though he often paints outside, his larger studio pieces are based on his outside sketches. Michael says, “In an increasingly troubling world, my paintings are solace to me and hopefully to the viewer.”
Thank you, Sponsor!
Special thanks to Basalt Printing and Art Supply for generously sponsoring this exhibition. Basalt Printing is a versatile office service, art supply resource and large format printer for the Roaring Fork Valley. Learn more at basaltprinting.com
Michael Kinsley, painter
Old Snowmass, Colorado
At age 10, I began painting, inspired by my sixth-grade art teacher and my dad, an amateur pastelist. I painted only occasionally until becoming more serious at 40. My various day jobs, which I thoroughly enjoyed, severely limited my art until 2016 when I began painting fulltime, the positive effect of which cannot be overstated; it transformed my art, which now dominates my life.
My studio began as a corner of my living room; now my living room is a corner of my studio. I am self-taught with lots of help from fellow painters and many workshops. I find candid critiques by pros to be most instructive, though occasionally a little painful.
I meandered into the Roaring Fork Valley in 1970. After the usual odd jobs, I became the director of a local enviro group in Aspen. Then I was one of the young Progressives who prevailed in Aspen politics in the early 70s; I was elected county commissioner from 1975 to ‘85. From ’83 to 2016, I worked for Rocky Mountain Institute, first in sustainable communities and college campuses, authoring books on the subjects, then designing and facilitating complex multi-day technical workshops in green energy.
Currently, I serve on the Pitkin County Open Space and Trails board and the Snowmass Capitol Creek Caucus board. In 2013, I was inducted into the Aspen Hall of Fame.
Also currently, in addition to my art, I am a mediator and facilitator.
Learn more about Michael at kinsleypaintings.com or by following her on Instagram @michaeljkinsley.