Visiting Artist: Günther Haidenthaller

Günther Haidenthaller emigrated with his family from Austria as a child, and grew up drawing and painting. His interest in art continued through junior high and high school, and he majored in illustration and advertising design at Utah State University. He spent 27 years in advertising graphic design and art direction, with occasional illustration projects to keep things interesting. In 2015 Günther made the decision to pursue his passion for painting full-time.

“Being Austrian, I am haunted by the ethereal, dreamlike quality of light in the moisture-laden European atmosphere. I strive to express that longing in every image I create, and hope that the viewer will feel my vision. Art is all about passion, and this is mine.” His other passions include soccer, ski mountaineering, ice climbing, skydiving, and whitewater kayaking. He has studied with a number of prominent, well-known artists including Randall Sexton, Joshua Clare, Carl Purcell, Kathryn Stats, Stephen Stauffer, Colley Whisson, Lyn Boyer, Doug Braithwaite, and David Santillanes. He also counts Frank FrazeYa, Bernie Fuchs, Bart Forbes, and John Harris as artistic heroes. Günther is a member of Oil Painters of America and the American Impressionist Society, as well as several local Utah artists’ organizations. He makes his home in Alpine, Utah.