Arch in Curve, Painting #1 of the Cathedrals of Light Series painted in Zion National Park

Original Plein Air Acrylic Painting | 9 x 12 Inches

Cathedrals of Light Series

Painted on location during a three-week painting residency in Southern Utah, Arch in Curve captures one of the quiet moments of wonder found within the landscape of Zion National Park. Bathed in warm morning light, the sandstone cliffs glow with oranges, golds, and violets while a graceful bridge and winding road lead the eye into the heart of the canyon.

Created entirely en plein air, this original 9 x 12 inch acrylic painting reflects the experience of standing beneath Zion's towering walls and witnessing the ever-changing patterns of light that transform the landscape throughout the day. The dramatic blue sky and luminous cliffs embody the spirit behind the Cathedrals of Light series, a collection inspired by the sacred beauty of the American Southwest.

Loose brushwork and bold color relationships emphasize the fleeting quality of light and atmosphere. Painted on sight in Zion National Park during April of 2026. Painting is signed in the lower right corner.

Whether displayed in a home, office, or mountain retreat, Arch in Curve brings the majesty of Zion National Park and the spirit of outdoor painting into any space.

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Details

• Title: Arch in Curve
• Series: Cathedrals of Light
• Medium: Acrylic on panel
• Size: 9 x 12 inches
• Created: En plein air in Zion National Park
• Signed by the Artist
• Unframed
• One-of-a-Kind Original Painting
• Part of the Cathedrals of Light collection releasing June 25

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Artist Statement

During a three-week painting residency in Southern Utah, I carried my easel into Zion National Park to capture the extraordinary relationship between stone and light. The massive canyon walls seemed less like geology and more like architecture, they looked like natural cathedrals carved over millions of years that echo the many cathedrals in Europe where I have also drawn and painted. Through the Cathedrals of Light series, I seek to convey the wonder, peace, and reverence I experienced while painting these remarkable landscapes on site.

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Perfect For

• Zion National Park lovers
• Collectors of plein air painting
• Southwest landscape enthusiasts
• National park collectors
• Cabin and mountain home décor
• Travelers who cherish memories of Utah
• Collectors of original contemporary landscapes

About the Artist

Scott Raynor is a working artist, educator, and social media content creator whose career spans more than three decades. He earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in art from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and completed additional graduate study at Johnson State University in Vermont. His artistic development has been enriched through prestigious residencies, including the Vermont Studio Center and the Scuola di Ars Grafica in Venice, Italy.

Raynor's work has been exhibited nationally and internationally in more than sixty juried and solo exhibitions. Recent venues include the Blue Mountain Gallery in New York City, the San Diego Museum of Art, and the Savannah College of Art and Design. His paintings and drawings have also been exhibited in the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany, and China. In addition, he has served as a visiting artist at several universities and has received numerous awards for his work.

A professor of art for more than 28 years, Raynor balances teaching with an active studio practice rooted in direct observation. His paintings range from intimate still lifes and woodland scenes to luminous landscapes inspired by the American Southwest. Through series such as Cathedrals of Light and 100 Paintings in 100 Days, he explores the beauty of ordinary subjects and extraordinary places with expressive brushwork and a deep appreciation for light.

Collectors have acquired more than one hundred of Raynor's original paintings and prints in the past year alone, and his work is held in private collections throughout the United States and abroad. Through his artwork and widely followed educational content on art history and painting, Raynor continues to share his belief that beauty, curiosity, and creativity remain essential parts of everyday life.

Artist: Scott Raynor / RaynorShine Studios