Who am I?

I strive to create realms full of energy and wonder. My art lives at the edge of the visible, where imagination shapes the world anew.

My name is Trysten Harness, and I’ve always been driven by the desire to create — to see what wonders can emerge from an idea and grow into something larger than life. From the works of the masters to the vast worlds of video games, I’ve been fascinated by beauty, scale, and the sense of awe that art can evoke.

Painting is my chosen medium. I work primarily in oils, drawn to their vibrancy, flexibility, depth, and the way they let me shape light and motion. Water, in particular, holds a powerful place in my work — it feels like the essence of life itself. I’m captivated by its dual nature: the chaos of a storm, the calm of still waves, the way it can destroy and renew in the same breath. Its beauty, vastness, and rhythm mirror the emotions I strive to express — both the serenity and the tempest within us.

Each painting begins with a clear concept and deliberate planning. Once I find my direction, I follow it with focus — layering, building, and refining until the piece feels alive. Music fills my workspace as I paint, guiding the tempo of each decision. I’m learning to balance that careful control with the freedom to let go, allowing the work to grow naturally.

I’m based in Greeley, Colorado, where I study Art Education at the University of Northern Colorado. My work has received several honors, including the PVA Purchase Award, and one of my paintings now resides in the university’s permanent collection.

Through my art, I hope to share a sense of vibrance and immersion — to invite people into these realms and let them experience what it might be like to exist within them. My paintings offer a moment of reflection, beauty, and wonder.