Dan Stouffer 1982 Watercolor—Autumn Stream Landscape

Original watercolor on paper by Dan Stouffer (American, b. 1940), signed lower right and dated 1982. This intimate landscape presents a quiet woodland stream in autumn, rendered with the artist’s characteristic control of light and atmosphere. A canopy of warm yellows and ochres filters through slender tree forms, while the reflective water below captures subtle tonal shifts and surface movement.

The composition is thoughtfully structured through a balance of vertical tree trunks and horizontal water, anchored by a diagonal fallen branch that guides the viewer’s eye across the scene. Stouffer’s use of layered transparent washes, combined with delicate splatter technique in the foliage, creates a sense of filtered light and seasonal transition. Rather than relying on dramatic contrast, the work unfolds gradually, rewarding sustained observation through its interplay of reflection, texture, and atmosphere.

Executed early in the artist’s mature period, this painting represents a more contemplative and intimate approach than his larger Southwestern vistas, demonstrating the same disciplined draftsmanship and sensitivity to natural light on a quieter scale.

Professionally presented in a metal frame, double matted, and glazed under glass, this is a refined and well-executed example of Stouffer’s watercolor practice.

Condition:

In very good condition overall, with no remarkable damage observed. The paper remains stable with no visible staining or fading. Frame and matting are clean and intact.

Dimensions:

Overall: 20.25" x 16.25" x 1"
Visible (image area): 14.5" x 10.5"

Artist Biography: Dan Stouffer (American, b. 1940)

Dan Stouffer is a highly regarded American watercolorist known for his precise and atmospheric depictions of the Southwestern landscape. Born in Ohio and educated at The Ohio State University, he began his professional career in graphic design and book production before relocating to New Mexico, where the region’s light and terrain became central to his artistic focus.

Working full-time as an artist since 1979, Stouffer has developed a distinctive style defined by disciplined draftsmanship, controlled transparent washes, and a nuanced understanding of light and atmosphere. His subjects range from the Organ Mountains and desert plains of southern New Mexico to broader Western landscapes, all rendered with careful observation and structural clarity.

Over the course of his career, Stouffer has received more than sixty national and regional awards, including recognition from Watercolor U.S.A., the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition, and Arts for the Parks. He is a member of the Watercolor Honor Society, Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Society, and Paint America Association, and has been honored as a “Local Treasure” by the Albuquerque Art Business Association.

His work has been featured in publications such as Watercolor Quarterly, Southwest Art, and Watercolor Magic, and is held in museum, corporate, and private collections nationwide. Stouffer’s paintings are valued for their technical precision, quiet luminosity, and enduring connection to the landscapes of the American West.