Buz Tafoya was born in 1953 in Denver, Colorado. He first became interested in painting at a young age when he traveled with his mother to Taos, New Mexico where he saw for the first time a world of artists and artwork. This early encounter would influence his choices from that moment forward. This would be his dream and career goal.
He studied art at Rocky Mountain School of Art in the mid 1970’s with the great figure artist, Phil Steel. He enjoyed a long career as a graphic artist while raising a family of three daughters. He established a second and current career as a Tile Installer while continuing to focus all of his remaining time on a fine art career. His influences are the impressionists. Most notably Degas, Sorolla, Sargent and many others.
He has continued to refine his knowledge of painting over the years. He has taken workshops from prominent artists and has benefited from artist friends who have helped with critiques and invaluable guidance. He has spent many hours studying the books of Nicholai Fechin, Ramon Kelly, Richard Schmid and many others including his current favorite Zhang Wenxin.
“Learning the vocabulary of those who came before as well as learning from the contemporary masters is vital. This combined with untold time in front of the easel has been a joy and a challenge.”
Shows:
2001 Pastel Society of New Mexico National Exhibition
2002 The Pastel National, Wichita Center
2002 Northern Colorado Artists Association, 11th National Exhibition
2002 Pastell Society of the West Coast, USA, International Open
2002 Pastel Society of Northern Florida, 7th National Show
2002 La Fond Galleries, 8th Annual National
2003 Northern Colorado Artists Assocation, 12th National Exhibition
2004 The Pastel Society of Oregon, 13th National Show
2004 Pastel Society of America, 30th Annual Exhibition
2009 Oil Painters of America, Western Regional Show