Meet our New Artist Jeffrey Durrant

Jeff took a couple of art classes in college, however by the time he thought about pursuing the subject further he had graduated in International Relations and was pursuing a doctorate in Geography at the University of Hawaii.  As part of his doctoral research Jeff moved to Moab and worked as a river guide.  His research eventually led to publishing “Struggle Over Utah’s San Rafael Swell: Wilderness, National Conservation Areas, and National Monuments” with the University of Arizona Press.

Jeff met his wife Marie while she was working as a snowboard instructor in Park City.  Marie left for a Peace Corps assignment to Chad, Africa and a few months later Jeff followed her and they were married in the capitol city N’Djamena.  Jeff has visited over 100 countries.  However Africa remains his passion, and he regularly leads trips to Mount Kilimanjaro where he lived with his wife and three sons while she completed her PhD dissertation on local community interaction with the national park.

In recent years Jeff has settled in Castle Valley and focused more on his art.  While Jeff dabbles in many different medias, most of his work is in acrylics.  While his paintings are often quite loose, his subjects are dominated by the rugged landscapes around Castle Valley and his interest in motorcycles with a soul.  If he isn’t painting, you can often find him hiking and paddling.

Meet Jeff and enjoy his art at a reception at Gallery Moab on February 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. As an added bonus there will be chocolates galore to indulge your sweet tooth! And while you're browsing the gallery, you just might find the perfect gift for your Valentine (or for yourself!) among the wide variety of art and craft items on display. We offer something for every taste and budget.