Jim Hutton Studio

“Cinders and Sage”. My watercolor painting of Denver & Rio Grande Western #268 depicted during its final years in the high mountain valleys of the Colorado Rockies. Available as a signed and numbered Limited Edition Print (21”X27”). Message me if interested. Special Holiday offer.

There is probably no other narrow gauge engine of the D&RGW that is so recognizable and had such a grand tenure. In 1949, being Rio Grande’s oldest operational narrow gauge locomotive, #268 was painted in “Grande Gold” for the Chicago Railroad Fair. Three years later, #268 starred in Paramount Pictures’ movie “The Denver & Rio Grande”. In 1955, after 73 years of continuous service, #268 was formally retired and placed on permanent display in Gunnison, Colorado.

"Redlands Autumn" Original watercolor. Artist's Collection release - Now Available. Image size: 20"X30" - Framed: 28"X38" Looking South toward Red Canyon, Colorado National Monument. If interested, msg me.

One of my watercolor nightscapes of Mt. Garfield. (20" X 30"). The painting was quickly purchased by a local real estate broker for a client. It must have been one expensive property to warrant such a gift.

Happy Anniversary Grand Junction. Founded on this date, July 22, 1882
This is a traditional style portrait (acrylic on canvas) that I painted of the founder, George Crawford. It was painted for the City's 125th Anniversary in 2007. It was on display at City Hall for a number of years and then The Museum of Western Colorado until recently. The Museum would love to have this painting in their collection, but IRS tax code only allows an artist to deduct the cost of materials, so if you are looking for a tax write off, contact me for details. For a bit of perspective, Montrose was founded on May 1, 1882 and Fruita in 1894.

This is another one of my nightscape watercolor paintings of downtown GJ. It is titled. “Holiday Night” (20” X 30”). It was purchased by the City of Grand Junction for their 2019 “Champion of the Arts Award”. The scene is from the intersection of 5th and Main St. looking southwest. I hope you enjoy it.

"Moonlight and Monoliths" Acrylic on canvas. 6.5 ft. X 4.5 ft. In honor of Independence Day, here is a nightscape of Independence Monument. It is a yearly tradition for a group to climb the Monument every July 4th. so if you get up that way, be sure and check them out. Have a Happy 4th. !

"The End of a Blazing Hot Day" Watercolor 29" X 21" In a Private Collection.

“Red Canyon” - A Hometown View- Watercolor (29” X 21”).

With most of the Nation in a major heat wave, maybe staring at my painting will give you a few moments of relief. If you have friends in Grand Jct. or have friends and family with ties to GJ, please consider “Sharing” this post. Since some of you are seeing this post on a GJ “Group” page, consider sending me a “friend request” or follow me on my FB Page at Jim Hutton Studio so you won't miss seeing posts of my art that aren't GJ related.

When I moved back to GJ to handle my parent's estate, I didn't plan on staying here and thus, set out to paint scenes and images that would always remind me of my hometown. To me, this painting is the quintessential view of GJ. It has all 3 of our geologic icons: the Monument, Mt. Garfield and the Grand Mesa. It has been in my private collection for many years and since archival prints were made, I finally decided to sell the original. The painting was recently delivered to the Blue Pig Gallery in Palisade where it was sold before it even had a chance to be hung on the walls. After I delivered it, a customer saw it in the Director's office and immediately purchased it. I'm sorry to say that it was not a local who purchased it. Once again, please share, friend me or follow me on my Jim Hutton Studio page. Enjoy!

Being that it is Juneteenth, it seems fitting to post this watercolor portrait from 30 years back. "Buffalo Soldier". The subject is Dana Gaffin, a member of Buffalo Soldiers of America. The painting is in his private collection.