The enduring allure of the American West lies in its dramatic variety of landscapes—from rugged mountains to vast deserts—each offering rich inspiration for photography and painting. Rather than capturing the scenery itself, I choose to paint the object that preserves these images: the camera.

(Scott Yelonek)

What most people might look for in a compelling photograph, Yelonek looks for in the camera itself- a particular moment in time, a unique personality, an object of beauty. “The first step is finding a camera with character—something visually interesting or with a story of its own.”, says the artist. Once he has his lead character he plays with the supporting roles- the complementary objects that he thoughtfully arranges to evoke a particular feeling or narrative. “What surprised me most about this new body of work was how much personality each camera seemed to reveal once I began painting it. I started out focused on their design and history, but as I worked, I found myself responding to them almost like portraits—each one had its own character, its own presence.” This felt intimacy has drawn collectors to his work with its’ emotive quality.

The artists most recent body of work acts as something of a travel log; exploring new places is his greatest source of creative inspiration. “It’s what fuels my search for the next painting. While on the road, I love visiting antique stores in search of old cameras and unique objects that often become the subjects of my work. Many of the cameras and other items in my paintings were discovered during my latest adventures.”, says Yelonek.

Yelonek works in both oil and watercolor and is inspired by the character and detail of his subjects. The subtle nuances of his pieces are captured seamlessly by his photorealistic style, which he has honed for over twenty years. After receiving his Fine Art degree in design and training under a wide array of artists, Yelonek has enjoyed successful careers in both graphic design and painting.