About the Artist

Eric Butters is a well-known Washington, D.C. landscape painter.  His subject matter ranges from scenic views of the Potomac to urban landscapes of downtown Washington.  His paintings belong to numerous public and private collections in the region, including the D.C. Commission on the Arts.  Eric was awarded a Masters of Fine Arts degree in 2001 from American University.  He has been a faculty member of the Yellow Barn Studio in Glen Echo, MD, for seven years.  He is also the Assistant Department Chair of Graphic Design & Foundations at the Art Institute of Washington in Rosslyn, VA.

Artist’s Statement

I enjoy the challenge of painting directly from nature.  Nature never stands still: due to ever-shifting sunlight and weather conditions, her appearance is constantly changing. I am drawn to paint the landscape largely because of the challenge of choosing, from many possibilities, one particular way to represent a scene. 

I also enjoy working in several different media which allow for different effects: pastels excel at showing texture and subtle color shifts; acrylics showcase bold color and glazes; and watercolors capture a feeling of fluidity and color washes.