On view: October 2 to October 30, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, October 2, from 5 PM- 7 PM
Artist Talk: Friday, October 2 at 5:30 PM

Michael Kinsley: Sensuous Landscapes
Michael Kinsley is a self-taught painter and long-time valley resident who focuses on local landscapes. For Michael, landscapes are more than just a scene; they invoke a feeling of peace.

In Sensuous Landscapes, Kinsley combines improvisation, abstraction, and realism to create paintings that capture both the physical character and emotional energy of the places he encounters. His use of color, shape, and form introduces a sense of psychedelic looseness, exaggerating elements of the landscape and freeing them from strict representation. The forms maintain their inherent naturalness while being liberated from the literal.

“Because I can’t bear leaving Nature behind, I roll Her up in oil paint and take Her home,” says Kinsley.

Through his paintings, Kinsley seeks to preserve moments in nature that may be changing or disappearing. His work reflects both an appreciation for the beauty of the natural world and a recognition of its fragility, encouraging continued protection and appreciation of the places that surround us.

About Michael Kinsley:
Michael Kinsley came to the Roaring Fork Valley in 1970, drawn to the depth, strength, and engagement of the community. Shortly after arriving, he became deeply involved in Aspen’s historic Freak Power and Hunter Thompson era. From 1975 to 1985, he served as a county commissioner, advancing environmental, transit, and social policies. Kinsley is also a mediator and facilitator and worked with the Rocky Mountain Institute from 1983 to 2016. In 2013, he was inducted into the Aspen Hall of Fame.

This exhibition is generously sponsored by Andrea Gurule, State Farm, and Cathers Home. The Art Base also extends its gratitude to Alpine Bank, the 2026 Annual Exhibition Sponsor, for its continued support of exhibitions at the Art Base.