Inspiration surrounded Stefan at an early age. Raised
in South Lake Tahoe, California, Baumann developed a passion
for painting, travel, and teaching. His parents are of
Swiss and Bavarian heritage; his mother, a business woman
and homemaker, taught him the value of hard work and of
staying committed to his dreams; His father, a bakery
owner, nurtured an appreciation of art and music.
While studying art and architectural history on scholarship
at Stanford University, Stefan worked as a private painting
teacher. After moving to San Francisco in 1980 he began
Baumann Fine Art, an endeavor that showcased his passion
for landscape painting.
Baumann's unique vision and his appreciation for all things
within Nature, came to fruition with The Grand View, a
dynamic public television series that promotes environmental
awareness and outdoor painting.
Baumann has been featured in People magazine and his
work included in the collections of the Rockefellers,
Annenburgs, and former President Reagan. He also creates
original works for Leanin' Tree Publications. He resides
in San Francisco and has a studio in Saratoga.
Mesa One, Hopi Reservation
12x18 Oil on Linen 2003
Journal April 16, 2oo1
I’m
enjoying my trip to Arizona and New Mexico. At a trading post
in Indian
Lands, I ran across an antique postcard; the sepia image was
of a cluster of buildings atop a mesa. I remembered seeing the
image before in an old history text. I purchased the card and
began my quest for the vista. I asked an interpretive ranger
at Mesa Verde National Park and I was smiled upon by fate; he
informed me that it was his family’s home on the Hopi
reservation. After a lengthy discussion about the history of
the village, he invited me to meet his family and be given a
tour of the historical place, The oldest village in America.
After an 8-hour journey, I found myself at the foot of a massive,
ancient rock and began the climb to the top. To my amazement,
the Pueblo village still looked like the old photograph on the
postcard. The family allowed me to do some sketches of the village
in the warm glow of the setting sun. The vision inspired me;
I will take these sketches to my studio and capture the soul
of this experience on canvas..
Sashone Falls
12x18 Oil on Linen 2003
Upon
our journey to Montana I decided to visit the ghost of Shoshone
Falls. I had seen the falls before, but had always dreamed of
experiencing the vista 100 years ago when Thomas Moran captured
the intensity of the roaring vision. My last visit proved disappointing
because the falls were a skeleton of their once grand scale.
But, like visiting a fading friend, I felt obligated to visit.
The falls are still an impressive characteristic of the Snake
River; They drop 212 feet and were once billed as the "Niagara
Falls of the west". Early explorers were amazed by the
vision, as were landscape painters of the late 19th century.
Plans were made to preserve Shoshone Falls as a tourist destination,
but the need for water took precedence, and regional farmers
soon evolved their own agenda for the River. A dam was built
to harness the resource, and the vista was changed forever.
In 1905, the structure was completed, and the gates of Milner
Dam were closed; That night, Shoshone Falls went dry.
But...I find myself graced. Recent warm rains have caused flooding
in Idaho (an event that meteorologist's call the "100 year
flood") and Milner Dam had to be opened for the first time
in 92 years. For only a short time, the Snake River was restored.
Today, I found myself witnessing what very few artists had ever
seen. I sketched furiously in watercolors and oil, knowing that
this moment would be brief. The Falls roared with intensity,
reclaiming their once phenomenal glory. I kept taking snapshots
in my mind...feeling the mist and absorbing the sound; I knew
this would be the last time In my life that I would experience
this vision. It took me a long time to say goodbye; darkness
was the only force that could motivate my departure. I knew
what the dawn had in store for Shoshone Falls and it proved
almost unbearable.
But then I found comfort; For one titanic instant, nature forced
the hand of a modern world. I probably won't go back in the
morning. I fear my fading friend will make me cry.
Nevada Falls, Yosemite National Park
24"x18" Oil on Linen 2004
San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo (The Mission of Carmel)
8"x10" Oil on Linen 2001
Point Lobos, incoming surf, 2004
oil on canvas Mounted on board, (4"x12")
Navajo National Monument, 2003
Oil on linen, (10" x 8")
I’m
enjoying my trip to Arizona and New Mexico. At a trading post
in Indian
Upon
our journey to Montana I decided to visit the ghost of Shoshone
Falls. I had seen the falls before, but had always dreamed of
experiencing the vista 100 years ago when Thomas Moran captured
the intensity of the roaring vision. My last visit proved disappointing
because the falls were a skeleton of their once grand scale.
But, like visiting a fading friend, I felt obligated to visit.
Nevada Falls, Yosemite National Park
San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo (The Mission of Carmel)
Navajo National Monument, 2003