About the Artist
Laureen "Reen" Axtell grew up surrounded by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains and the Denver/Boulder area, where she developed a lasting love for the region. Her artwork is deeply rooted in the landscapes of the American West and the High Plains of Eastern Colorado, home to her family's third-generation farm.
Reen studied art and graphic design at Colorado State University and spent over 40 years in the creative industry, working as a Graphic Designer, Art Director, and Creative Director. Her experience in design sharpened her skills in visual problem-solving, color theory, and unique image composition. In 2018, she transitioned from the corporate world to focus fully on her passion for fine art.
Artist Statement
After a long and career in advertising and graphic design, I returned to my first love—fine art. My background in design continues to influence my creative process; I still rely on a designer’s eye for composition, shape, and color. Each piece begins with strong design fundamentals, bold forms, and a vibrant palette.
I’ve always had a deep appreciation for vintage photographs, memorabilia, and the stories tied to my family’s Western roots. These elements have become central to my work, where I explore a playful and contemporary take on the past.
In my paintings, I combine vintage imagery with abstract, mixed media backgrounds. My process involves building up layers of acrylic paint, then removing sections, adding new layers, and incorporating scratches, marks, transfers, and collage elements until a visual story emerges. My goal is to create artwork that’s rich in color, grounded in strong composition, and infused with a sense of joy.
Exhibitions and Shows
Paintings:
- Transcending the West, Artworks Gallery, Loveland, CO (Oct - Dec, 2022)
- Western Spirit Art Show, CFD Old West Museum, Cheyenne, WY (March - April, 2023)
- New Frontiers Art Show, CFD Old West Museum, Cheyenne, WY (Nov - Dec, 2023)
- Arvada Center Fine Art Market, Arvada Center Galleries, Arvada, CO (Nov - Dec, 2023)
- Contemporary Realism Now, Gallery 1261, Denver, CO (Jan 6 - Jan 27, 2024)
- Introductions, Gallery 1261, Denver, CO (June - July, 2024)
- Badass Women of the West, Gallery 1261, Denver, CO (November 22 - December 28, 2024)
- Icons for a New West, Gallery 1261, Denver, CO (January 9 - January 28, 2025)
- Stampede Western Art Exhibit, Greeley, CO (June 24 - July 6, 2025)
- 42nd Annual All Colorado Art Show, Greenwood Village, CO (July 12 - August 29, 2025)
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Education: Bachelor of Fine Art (concentration in Graphic Design), Colorado State University
Work Experience: Over the course of her 40-year career, Reen gained extensive experience in the creative industry, working with advertising agencies, leading corporate in-house design teams, and running her own freelance graphic design business. In 2018, she founded Brilliant Blue Studios, which later evolved into Reen Axtell Art.
Art Workshops + Classes Completed:
- Tubac School of Fine Art, Tubac AZ — Techniques in Acrylic Paint, Amy Brakeman Livezey, Instructor (March 2022)
- Arvada Center for the Arts, Arvada, CO — Painting in Watercolor, Pam McLaughlin, Instructor (March 2022)
- Lincoln Gallery, Loveland, CO — Pastels & Oils, Mike Beeman, Instructor (April 2021)
- Art Students League of Denver, Denver, CO — Painting in Watercolor, Dennis Pendleton, Instructor (2022); Working in Pastels, Judith Scott, Instructor (2018); Plein Air Landscape, Doug Dawson, Instructor (2016); Studio Landscape with Oil & Pastel, Doug Dawson, Instructor (2015)
- Scottsdale Artist’s School, Scottsdale AZ — Acrylic Landscapes, William Hook, Instructor (April 2015)