Scott L. Christensen

For Scott L. Christensen, painting is not just a passion—it’s a necessity. Born in 1962 and raised in Lander, Wyoming, Christensen developed an early aesthetic shaped by the region’s wild beauty. While attending Chadron State College in Nebraska on a football scholarship, a severe neck injury ended his athletic career and shifted his path. Seeking solace, he took up fly fishing and spent time with his grandfather, a wheelchair-bound amateur oil painter. The smell of oils sparked Christensen’s imagination, leading him to enroll in art classes and eventually earn a degree in art education.

Though trained to teach, Christensen chose to pursue painting full-time, bringing the same discipline he once applied to sports. His practice is grounded in plein air studies, which serve as the foundation for works completed in the studio. His distinctive combination of athleticism, intellectual curiosity, and a deep reverence for nature has become the driving force behind his success.

Christensen’s work has been featured in prestigious gallery and museum exhibitions, including the Prix de West, and is held in major collections such as the permanent collection at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center in Grand Teton National Park. Today, he continues to paint and teach, sharing the knowledge and passion that have defined his career.