Gene Diodato’s plein air paintings on display at HRRMC

A collection of paintings of the Upper Arkansas Valley by plein air artist Eugene "Gene" J. Diodato (1935-2013) are currently on display at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (HRRMC) through March 31. 

Diodato was arguably considered one of the greatest plein air artists in the Upper Arkansas Valley, dedicating the last 25 years of his life to his passion of painting outdoor scenes that caught light in vibrant and unique ways. Diodato masterfully mixed color pigments in the moment to match the unique palette of his surroundings. Several of his paintings on display highlight these color palettes. Diodato attended the Ringling College of Art & Design in Sarasota, Florida, as well as the Art Institute of Colorado in Denver, Colorado, and had a brief career on commercial art before transitioning full-time to fieldwork, dedicating his time to painting exclusively outside. 

Diodato passed away in 2013.

"Diodato's work reflects a complex understanding of the relationship between light and color as they play together across the composition," said John Pyson, who now manages Diodato's collection.

All of Diodato's paintings in the hospital exhibit are for sale, and 25 percent of the proceeds are donated to the HRRMC Foundation. This is the hospital's first exhibit of 2021, which is part of its mission to create a healing environment for patients and visitors.

HRRMC displays the work of regional artists each quarter, with an emphasis on the Arkansas Valley. Call 719-530-2217 for more information on exhibiting art at HRRMC.