My Approach
After years spent navigating the rigid lines and blandness of corporate life, my art is an intentional act of rebellion. I paint to reclaim the vibrancy that often gets bleached out of modern daily life.
I have a ‘no-beige’ philosophy because the wild is anything but boring. My art reflects this bold richness of the landscapes I wander through in Colorado and our greater American west.
It’s a chaotic, stunning, and electric experience that deserves to be celebrated in full color.
May my abstract landscape paintings stir your soul and bring joy. At the end of the day that’s what this wild and crazy life is all about…capturing these glimmers and sharing them with others.
Unapologetic color.
Wild vistas.
Pure Joy.
Newest Original Artwork
The pink and purple hued landscape of this original painting depicts the magical impression of a forgotten era. Standing above the Crystal River in Marble, Colorado, the iconic Crystal Mill holds the echoes of its industrial past, now softened by time and surrounded by wild beauty. This piece is my play on that journey to a place that feels out of this world. While history tells us of the crowded mining days, it is really the feeling of the place, the lingering energy, and the dreamlike wonder of the landscape that remain with us. Through subtle variations of pinks, purples, and evening alpenglow, this canvas captures the quiet magic of a hidden mountain gem. May this piece invite an enduring sense of awe, imagination, and backcountry adventure into your life.
Artwork Details:
Medium: Professional Golden & Liquitex heavy-body acrylics
Surface: Canvas
Size: 40 × 40 × 1.5 inches
Protection: Golden Isolation Coat + UV-protective Liquitex satin varnish
Signatures & Authentication: Hand-signed by the artist on back and front of the piece; includes an official Certificate of Authenticity.
Still Standing Collection
Deep in the backcountry, tucked into aspen groves or perched precariously over mountain rivers, you will find them: the weathered cabins, forgotten mills, and quiet ghost towns that time left behind. This collection is a celebration of these resilient structures that refuse to yield to the elements. By pairing the rough, historic textures of these relics with a vivid, unexpected palette of electric blues, dreamlike purples, and warm alpenglow pinks, I wanted to breathe new life into these historic spaces. These paintings are a tribute to the spirit of the backcountry, the stories built into old timber, and the quiet magic of places that are still standing.
Behind the Studio Doors: The Story & Process
Beyond the frame lies a true backcountry memory. Before this canvas was painted, it was lived. Reaching the iconic Crystal Mill meant white-knuckling a treacherous six-mile 4x4 trail in a 20-year-old 4Runner, helping pull stranded rigs out of mountain rivers, and standing in awe of a piece of Colorado history softened by wild alpenglow.
To capture the lingering magic of that remote valley, I deliberately stepped away from typical postcard realism. By pairing organic river shapes with a dreamlike palette of electric purples, heartwarming pinks, and shadow-drenched aspens, this piece brings a vibrant, living energy to a historic space. It is not just a painting of a landmark. It is a celebration of the wild journey it takes to get there, carrying the authentic provenance of real backcountry grit and artistic intention.
Every original painting carries a unique story of adventure, historical inspiration, and studio process. Read the full story here in the Beyond the Postcard: Reimagining the Crystal Mill blog.
All original paintings are final sale. If you have questions about the artwork, reach out to me.
The radiant pinks and sun-drenched blues of this original painting capture the vibrant, soaking warmth of an afternoon in Patagonia. Zoomed in close so the historic structure fills the frame, Glow on the Old Barn focuses entirely on the electric energy of the summer sun radiating off weathered wood. Back in the studio, I drew directly from my memories of our time on that remote river ranch along Chile’s Cisnes River. I channeled the simple, joyful mood of pausing under the open sky, stretching in the grass, and soaking in the light alongside this old building. Bold, intentional brushstrokes transform an aging ranch structure into a punchy, modern focal point. May this piece bring a wave of joyful energy, brilliant warmth, and vibrant color into your space.
Artwork Details:
Medium: Professional Golden & Liquitex heavy-body acrylics
Surface: Wood panel
Size: 10 × 10 × 1.5 inches
Protection: Golden Isolation Coat + UV-protective Liquitex satin varnish
Signatures & Authentication: Hand-signed by the artist on back and front of the piece; includes an official Certificate of Authenticity.
Still Standing Collection
Deep in the backcountry, tucked into aspen groves or perched precariously over mountain rivers, you will find them: the weathered cabins, forgotten mills, and quiet ghost towns that time left behind. This collection is a celebration of these resilient structures that refuse to yield to the elements. By pairing the rough, historic textures of these relics with a vivid, unexpected palette of electric blues, dreamlike purples, and warm alpenglow pinks, I wanted to breathe new life into these historic spaces. These paintings are a tribute to the spirit of the backcountry, the stories built into old timber, and the quiet magic of places that are still standing.
Behind the Studio Doors: The Story & Process
Beyond the frame lies a true backcountry memory. Before this canvas was painted, it was lived. Glow on the Old Barn was born during an adventurous trip to La Posada de Los Farios along Chile’s Cisnes River. Between fishing runs on the water, my sister and I spent quiet mornings stretching on the grass in the warm Patagonian sunshine, watching the light hit the weathered timber of the ranch outbuildings.
Back in the studio, I wanted to capture that exact feeling of soaking in the joy of the summer sun. Zooming in close so the building fills the frame, I used bold brushstrokes and an energetic palette of radiant pinks and blues to translate that sunlit warmth onto wood panel. It is not just a painting of an old barn. It is a concentrated dose of joyful energy and a celebration of the restful, rejuvenating moments found deep in wild places.
Every original painting carries a unique story of adventure, historical inspiration, and studio process. For more insight, check out the blog From Patagonia to the Palette: How a Chilean Girls’ Trip Inspired My Newest Series.
All original paintings are final sale. If you have questions about the artwork, reach out to me.
There is a distinct kind of magic that only happens when you’re tucked away in a remote ski hut, off-the-grid and surrounded by towering peaks. This piece was born from my absolute love for passing time with family and friends in the stunning ski hut systems of the West sharing laughs, tired legs, and good company after a long day in the snow.
Based on a real-life A-frame ski hut in Alaska, this piece captures that exact feeling of cozy, pure backcountry joy.
Look closely at the snow—true to form, you won’t find any flat white here! Instead, I’ve dialed up the intensity with electric blues and cool teals to make the fiery, unapologetic orange of the hut truly pop. Complete with skis on the porch and a subtle reminder above the door, this piece is a vibrant celebration of the winter spaces that feed our souls.
Bring the warmth of winter adventure into your space.
Artwork Details:
Medium: Professional Golden & Liquitex heavy-body acrylics
Surface: Wood panel or Canvas
Size: 20 × 16 × 1.5 inches
Protection: Golden Isolation Coat + UV-protective Liquitex satin varnish
Signatures & Authentication: Hand-signed by the artist on back and front of the piece; includes an official Certificate of Authenticity.
Chasing Winter Collection
This year, the snow didn’t show up, so I went into the studio and made my own. This collection is a heartfelt attempt to conjure the snow I couldn’t find on the peaks. From electric blues to neon whites, these pieces are how I filled the cup that the mountains left empty. It’s my way of finding the healing quiet of the powder even when the ground stayed bare. It’s raw, it’s honest, and it’s the only way I knew how to survive a winter that wasn’t. I hope you can feel the soul of the winter I so damn wished for in every stroke. Take a look at other pieces in this Chasing Winter Collection here.
All original paintings are final sale. If you have questions about the artwork, reach out to me.
Meet The Artist
*
Meet The Artist *
Howdy! I’m Caley Van Cleave a Colorado-based artist, lifelong rambler, and a self-proclaimed color maximalist. Inspired by the vastness of the American West, I take sketches and memories from my outdoor adventures and dial up the intensity—bringing the hidden purples of a sunrise snowbank and the electric joy of the wild straight to the canvas.
From my home base at 9,000 feet in Silverthorne, CO, or out on the road in my Airstream, I paint to capture the emotional impact of rugged mountain sunshine and red clay canyons. If it’s bright, bold, and celebrates our stunning natural world, I’m enamored by it.
You won’t find any beige here. I bring the ridiculous, joyful color combinations of our wild spaces directly to the canvas so you can celebrate a world of beautiful, vibrant adventure right in your own space.
Where To Buy In Real Life
2026 Breckenridge Fine Arts Festival
July 2, 3, and 4th - Breckenridge, Colorado
August 6, 7, and 8th - Breckenridge, Colorado
2026 Boulder Art Festival
September 5th and 6th - Pearl Street Mall - Boulder, Colorado (Labor Day Weekend)
2026 Firefly Handmade Markets
September 26th and 27th - Denver Design Center
December 12th and 13th - Denver Design Center
2026 Fall Arts Invitational at Cheesman Park
October 3rd and 4th - Cheesman Park - Denver, Colorado
Main Street Gallery October Show
October 9th Opening Show - Brighton, CO
Come say howdy in person! I’d love to meet you and share these delightful contemporary landscape paintings with you in real life (IRL for the win!).
Subscribe to stay up to date on works and shows, plus those fun bits on this artistic journey.
Shop the
New
Chasing Winter Collection
This year, the snow didn’t show up, so I went into the studio and made my own. This collection is a heartfelt attempt to conjure the snow I couldn’t find on the peaks. From electric blues to neon whites, these pieces are how I filled the cup that the mountains left empty. It’s my way of finding the healing quiet of the powder even when the ground stayed bare. It’s raw, it’s honest, and it’s the only way I knew how to survive a winter that wasn’t. I hope you can feel the soul of the winter I so damn wished for in every stroke.
Best Selling Fine Art Prints
It’s a pure joy to witness the first snow layered over the magical fall colors in our Colorado mountains. The initial snow dusting often allows the aspen’s bright colors to peak through for just a few days. This is our mountain equivalent of fully ripened fruit and should be savored. I felt a strong desire to capture this shifting of season and retiring of color from our great western landscapes here at home. Bold brush strokes of fall oranges, reds, and yellows come into transition with the cooler hues of winter snow. While this change in warm colors to cool tones can feel unsettling, it also brings a quieter beauty to our surrounding space. May you feel the reverence for nature’s ever changing seasons.
Limited Edition Fine Art Paper Prints
Bring the vibrant energy of the wild into your space on one of the most prestigious printmaking papers in the world. This limited-edition run features ultra-high-resolution reproductions of my original paintings, ensuring every electric color and trailside detail pops exactly as intended.
Strictly Limited Run: Only 250 prints will ever be created for each size of this piece.
Hand-Signed & Numbered: Each fine art paper print is individually marked.
Certificate of Authenticity: Includes a physical, studio-issued certificate verifying its limited-edition status and securing its place in the permanent archive.
Fine Art Paper: Crafted from 100% cotton, finished with an acid-free velvet surface for accurate, detailed prints.
Chasing Winter Collection
This year, the snow didn’t show up, so I went into the studio and made my own. This collection is a heartfelt attempt to conjure the snow I couldn’t find on the peaks. From electric blues to neon whites, these pieces are how I filled the cup that the mountains left empty. It’s my way of finding the healing quiet of the powder even when the ground stayed bare. It’s raw, it’s honest, and it’s the only way I knew how to survive a winter that wasn’t. I hope you can feel the soul of the winter I so damn wished for in every stroke. Take a look at other pieces in this Chasing Winter Collection here.
All original paintings are final sale. If you have questions about the artwork, reach out to me.
This painting captures the magic of grabbing that first gondola chair on a ski day here in Colorado. The joy of being the first to slice through the powder and create your own turns in pristine snow. I brought the sacred feeling of this moment into the piece with the subtle brush strokes and soft hues of color across the fresh snow on the mountain. The glaze helps to create the dreamlike feeling that comes with this extremely rare moment in a ski season. While catching the first chair, you cherish the loneliness of the mountain before the day’s skiers join which I’ve infused into this piece in the composition layout creating an empty expanse in the terrain. May this dreamlike piece bring you joy like that lottery ticket of first chair on the mountain.
Limited Edition Fine Art Paper Prints
Bring the vibrant energy of the wild into your space on one of the most prestigious printmaking papers in the world. This limited-edition run features ultra-high-resolution reproductions of my original paintings, ensuring every electric color and trailside detail pops exactly as intended.
Strictly Limited Run: Only 250 prints will ever be created for each size of this piece.
Hand-Signed & Numbered: Each fine art paper print is individually marked.
Certificate of Authenticity: Includes a physical, studio-issued certificate verifying its limited-edition status and securing its place in the permanent archive.
Fine Art Paper: Crafted from 100% cotton, finished with an acid-free velvet surface for accurate, detailed prints.
Chasing Winter Collection
This year, the snow didn’t show up, so I went into the studio and made my own. This collection is a heartfelt attempt to conjure the snow I couldn’t find on the peaks. From electric blues to neon whites, these pieces are how I filled the cup that the mountains left empty. It’s my way of finding the healing quiet of the powder even when the ground stayed bare. It’s raw, it’s honest, and it’s the only way I knew how to survive a winter that wasn’t. I hope you can feel the soul of the winter I so damn wished for in every stroke. Take a look at other pieces in this Chasing Winter Collection here.
If you have questions, please reach out to me.
This piece is inspired by an alpine touring day in deep powder to an alpine lake outside of Breckenridge, Colorado. Some days on the trail in winter can feel the exquisiteness of our craggy mountains deeply in your bones. Although winter is typically projected as being shades of white, I often see the sky and atmosphere lending their color via reflections to the white snow. In this piece, you’ll see bold brush work in deep pinks, purples and blues rather than an austere white snow surrounding the iced over lake. It’s this colorful edging of the winter world that awakens my soul as my skis slice through powder on the trail. May you feel this joy too.
Limited Edition Fine Art Paper Prints
Bring the vibrant energy of the wild into your space on one of the most prestigious printmaking papers in the world. This limited-edition run features ultra-high-resolution reproductions of my original paintings, ensuring every electric color and trailside detail pops exactly as intended.
Strictly Limited Run: Only 250 prints will ever be created for each size of this piece.
Hand-Signed & Numbered: Each fine art paper print is individually marked.
Certificate of Authenticity: Includes a physical, studio-issued certificate verifying its limited-edition status and securing its place in the permanent archive.
Fine Art Paper: Crafted from 100% cotton, finished with an acid-free velvet surface for accurate, detailed prints.
Chasing Winter Collection
This year, the snow didn’t show up, so I went into the studio and made my own. This collection is a heartfelt attempt to conjure the snow I couldn’t find on the peaks. From electric blues to neon whites, these pieces are how I filled the cup that the mountains left empty. It’s my way of finding the healing quiet of the powder even when the ground stayed bare. It’s raw, it’s honest, and it’s the only way I knew how to survive a winter that wasn’t. I hope you can feel the soul of the winter I so damn wished for in every stroke. Take a look at other pieces in this Chasing Winter Collection here.
All original paintings are final sale. If you have questions about the artwork, reach out to me.