"California Landscape" 24 x 30 inch original framed painting by Jeff Sojka

I have been a full time professional artist for the last 16 years. I love plein air painting, or "painting on location". I enjoy being able to be out in nature and trying to capture the light and feeling of the day. My work is shown in galleries in California, Park City, Utah, Aspen, Colorado, Bar Harbor, Maine, and the Big Island of Hawaii.

What are my inspirations?

When I was 16 years old, I was fortunate to be awarded a scholarship to study in Europe. I was able to travel thoughout Europe and witness the great museums of Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. I was mesmerized by the art, the people, and the amazing variation of landscape.

"Colorful Cliffs", original painting of the Cinque Terra, Italy

I came back, went to college and graduate school and then became obsessed with plein air painting, especially the California impressionists, and in particular, the work of Edgar Payne.

It is these inspirations that made me want to go on an extended 5 month trip to Europe. My hope is to inspire my 6 year old daughter Natalie, to expose her to the great museums and architecture, as well as people and cultures. We will be following in the footsteps of Edgar Payne, when he traveled to France, Switzerland, and Italy. - trying to capture with my own style, the same magical vistas that he had seen years ago. We will also be making our way through England, and Ireland, as well as Germany, Spain, Slovenia, and Croatia. It is my hope to enrich our lives with new experiences and new inspiration for painting. I will be making numerous sketches, tons of small painting studies, and also larger pieces as we travel thoughout the trip.

The culmination of all this work will be a hardcover book highlighting select images from the travels and an exhibit that will be held in Aspen, Colorado at the prestigious Elliott Yeary Gallery in July of 2014.

Maroon Bells, Aspen, Colorado

6 x 6 study for a coastal painting.

6 x 6 study for the "California Landscape" painting.

6 x6 study for a moon painting with a shooting star.