The Springs Resort, a Colorado hot spring pioneer in water-based wellness, has partnered with Colorado artist Dan Dempster, C.A., to enhance the guest and visitor experience of The Springs Resort through aesthetic appreciation of the San Juan River and the Mother Spring’s mineral soaking pools that are the essence of the resort.
Dempster Fine Art at The Springs Resort is the perfect synergy of The Springs Resort’s focus on wellness and Dan Dempster’s focus on healing through art, both centered on the transformative nature of water.
The vestibule of the Lodge leading from the Phoenix Bar to the soaking pools has been transformed into a jewel box of a gallery. In Mr. Dempster’s opening exhibition, colorful gold and silver framed plein air oil paintings glow against the neutral sage walls. The strokes of blue, orange, red, green and purple with which the artist has captured the high altitude light of the San Juan mountains vibrate and shimmer as they describe surging rapids juxtaposed with tranquil pools: rock and river, hot and cold, fast and slow.
“With the acceptance of his oil painting to the 2018 Copley Society’s Winter Members Show juried by Tom Kellaway, editor of American Art Review, Daniel became a Copley Artist (CA). Achieving this status is a mark of excellent technique, hard work ethic and superb artistry.”
— Copley Society of Art
Mr. Dempster’s particular interest is the play of water and light in the refracted light in the river shallows, the reflected colors and shapes of the pools and rapids and the vast detail of snow and ice of the mountains. There is endless inspiration in the gorgeous natural beauty surrounding Pagosa Springs.
While aesthetically pleasing, Mr. Dempster’s art has a definite contemplative quality. This is no accident. In addition to his artistic mastery, he is an authorized and certified meditation teacher. Combining both, Mr. Dempster curates the rarest and most elusive commodity in this age of information overload: peace of mind. Pointing out the spectacular in the mundane, he teaches how to see.
A graduate of the University of Waterloo and Sheridan College, he has lived and shown in New York, LA, Boston and Bermuda. His work is in HSBC, Swiss Re and other private collections. Among other charitable events, his painting was selected for the British Red Cross Society “Art for Humanity” auction in London. He and his wife were married at Sunset Ranch in 2007 and now live in Pagosa Springs with their two sons.
“As we immerse ourselves in the contemplation of water and the experience of water, our preoccupations dissolve. Mind and body unwind. Free from thoughts of self and other, our minds become clear and open. In this expansive state, we rediscover awe and wonder in the world. Deep satisfaction, joy and kindness follow. That is what my art enables. That is what the water teaches.”
In addition to his highly detailed studio drawings, paintings and sculpture, Mr. Dempster enjoys the freshness of painting en plein air, as demonstrated in this collection. He can often be found somewhere along the river, or out by the Springs Resort’s soaking pools, working deftly at his easel.
The paintings are available for sale, by appointment. Learn more about the artist at his website.
About The Springs Resort
The Springs Resort features seventy-nine welcoming rooms and suites steps from 25 soaking pools, fed by the deepest geothermal hot spring in the world. Whether you’re close to the Mother Spring, with views of early morning steam rising from her mythical depths, or in our Lodge overlooking the San Juan River – wherever you stay, you’ll enjoy 24-hour access to the pools, including VIP access to the adult-only Relaxation Terrace, daily wellness activities and experiences, and unlimited towel and robe exchange. For more, visit https://www.pagosahotsprings.com
The Pagosa Daily Post welcomes submissions, photos, letters and videos from people who love Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Call 970-903-2673 or email pagosadailypost@gmail.com