Andy Skaff

by Anne W. Bernard

Andy Skaff has many reasons to love Tahoe. He and his wife, Lois, share memories of bringing their two daughters here, their West Shore home is a tranquil escape from the activity of Orinda and, over the years, his family has accumulated lasting friendships with neighbors and North Lake locals. As a volunteer fireman at the Meeks Bay Fire Protection District and a board member with the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society, Skaff is likewise involved in Tahoe's community welfare. Beyond all this, however, is the fact that Skaff credits Tahoe for his current artistic success. After 34 years practicing law in the Bay Area, Skaff has fi nally turned all of his attention to painting—a hobby that, until his recent retirement, was nurtured almost exclusively during Tahoe summer retreats.

As a plein air painter whose trademark subjects are the white aspens dotting the Sierra, Skaff fi nds inspiration in Tahoe. His favorite spots to set up his easel and color palette include Emerald Bay, Taylor Creek and Blackwood Canyon.

Shortly after leaving law behind, Skaff had the opportunity to study with Kevin Macpherson, a renowned plein air painter and instructor, in France. They decamped to a French château for ten days and used brush and oil to capture what they saw in the countryside villages of Anglessur-l'Anglin, Saint Pierre-de-Maille, Montmorillon and Neons-sur-Creuse. Skaff says that Macpherson challenged his work, using a method of instruction that turned out to be exactly what the new artist needed. Out of this fi rst workshop, Skaff gained a better understanding of his strengths and weaknesses as a painter. He also found a friend in Macpherson, and another favorite place to paint. Skaff has since returned a number of times to the French countryside to seek out his artistic muse.

Skaff's first exhibit was at the North Tahoe Arts Center three years ago. "I needed to fi nd my place in the art scene," recalls Skaff. "North Tahoe Arts gave me that start—the opportunity to hear positive feedback about my artwork and the encouragement to keep painting." He is currently treasurer for the Tahoe City–based arts organization, for which he and his wife are also board members.

Since that first show, Skaff's work has found its niche around Tahoe, displayed at locations such as the Truckee Gallery, Ryrie Gallery and the Rubicon Collection. Last year, after purchasing one of Skaff's aspen paintings, Sunnyside Restaurant and Lodge commissioned Summer on the Deck, a depiction of the resort's busy summer scene that now hangs prominently in the restaurant.

Though this last work was an anomaly for him—Skaff says he rarely paints people—there is no question that he was the right artist for the job. With short, thick strokes and colors vibrant enough to do justice to the most spectacular fall foliage, each of Skaff's paintings exudes life. His paintings tell a story of texture, beauty and movement. A Truckee River scene highlights a swift current, whitewater churning at every dip and turn. A faint breeze rustles tall autumn grass at the wheels of an old truck. Outside an imposing French château, sunlight emanates from an overcast sky.

Skaff has also painted a series of portraits of Native Americans based on vintage photographs, particularly those taken by historian Edward Curtis. Sold at Tahoe City's Rubicon Collection and Truckee's Spirit Interior Design, these images were painted in the same bold strokes that characterize his landscapes, bringing Curtis's sepia-toned photos to life in stunning color.

In only three years, Skaff has managed to break into the West Coast art world, with gallery exhibits in Santa Fe, the Bay Area and the Northern California coast, as well as Tahoe. One of his aspen paintings, October Glow, is part of the Napa Valley Museum's biennial plein air show (through July 8), featuring select works by some of California's most distinguished artists. This summer, Skaff will again open his home to the North Tahoe Arts' annual ARTour, and will offer a one-day exhibit and sale at Sunnyside on August 11. In the fall, Wolfdale's in Tahoe City will exhibit his paintings for the second year in a row.

For more information on Andy Skaff, call (530) 525-4937 or visit www.askaff.com.