ARTWORKS BY AARON BRENT HARKER

Learn About the Artist - AARON BRENT HARKER

Born and raised in Utah, Aaron Brent Harker grew up surrounded by creativity and the natural world. With two artistically inclined parents, he developed an early love for drawing, art, and the wild landscapes of the American West. His childhood explorations across Utah’s mountains and deserts fostered a lifelong appreciation for nature—an influence that remains central to his work today.

Seeking a deeper understanding of classical technique, he moved to New York City in 2004 to study at the renowned Water Street Atelier under painter and educator Jacob Collins. During his two years there, he received rigorous training in drawing and painting rooted in traditional realism. He continued his education through additional study at the Art Students League of New York and specialized workshops with respected artists Tony Ryder, Dan Thomson, and Patrick Connors. His practice remains grounded in the study of master painters, past and present.

Working in the tradition of classical realism, he adheres to the principles of painting from life. Western themes and animal subjects have become hallmarks of his work, reflecting both his technical discipline and his strong connection to the natural world.

Over the course of his career, he has received numerous national awards recognizing excellence in still life, animal painting, and classical draftsmanship. His work has been honored multiple times by the Art Renewal Center Salon, the Springville Museum of Art, The Artist’s Magazine, and exhibitions across the country.