Dan Stouffer — Organ Mountain Watercolor, Las Cruces Landscape

Magnificent original watercolor on paper by acclaimed New Mexico artist Dan Stouffer (American, b. 1940), signed “© D. Stouffer WHS” at lower right. This commanding composition portrays the Organ Mountains near Las Cruces, their jagged granite spires rising from the desert floor beneath a veil of luminous, drifting clouds. In the foreground, yucca, creosote, and blooming desert marigold anchor the scene with botanical accuracy and seasonal vitality. Stouffer’s masterful control of transparent washes and subtle light gradations evokes the serenity and grandeur of the high desert, capturing both the permanence of the mountains and the transience of the passing sky.

Executed with Stouffer’s signature control of tone, texture, and atmosphere, the piece reflects both technical mastery and deep reverence for the region he has painted for over four decades. The large format—notably larger than most of Stouffer’s known works—enhances its visual impact, making it a centerpiece example of his mature style. Presented in a Rustic by Design frame, triple matted, and glazed with TruVue TruGuard UV-protective conservation glass, this museum-quality piece is ready for display in a private collection or institutional setting.

Highly significant to Las Cruces and southern New Mexico collectors, this watercolor not only exemplifies Stouffer’s artistic excellence but also honors the landscape that defines the cultural and natural identity of the region. A superb and important example of contemporary Southwestern watercolor painting.

Condition:

Excellent condition overall. The artwork shows no signs of fading, staining, or damage. Frame, matting, and glazing remain clean and well maintained, with no scratches, chips, or discoloration noted.

Dimensions:

Overall: 33 ½" x 51 ½" x 2"
Visible (image area): 19" x 37"

Artist Biography: Dan Stouffer (American, b. 1940)

Dan Stouffer is a distinguished American watercolorist whose luminous depictions of the Southwestern landscape have earned him national recognition and deep regional reverence. Born in Ohio and educated at The Ohio State University, Stouffer began his professional life in the fields of graphic design and book production, working with the University of New Mexico Press after relocating to the Southwest. Captivated by the region’s stark beauty and clarity of light, he turned to painting full-time in 1979, establishing his studio in Bosque Farms, New Mexico.

Stouffer’s watercolors are celebrated for their precise draftsmanship, atmospheric depth, and subtle tonal layering—qualities that reflect both artistic mastery and a naturalist’s eye. His subjects range from the Organ Mountains near Las Cruces to the mesas and desert plains of central and southern New Mexico. Through his disciplined technique and meditative compositions, he conveys the enduring stillness and spiritual resonance of the desert environment.

Over his career, Stouffer has earned more than sixty national and regional awards, including honors from Watercolor U.S.A., the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition, and Arts for the Parks. He is a member of the Watercolor Honor Society, Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Society, and Paint America Association. In 2010, he was named a “Local Treasure” by the Albuquerque Art Business Association and has been voted Best Artist multiple times in the Albuquerque Journal Reader’s Choice Awards.

His work has appeared in numerous exhibitions and publications, including Watercolor Magic, Watercolor Quarterly, and Southwest Art. Stouffer’s paintings are represented in museum, corporate, and private collections nationwide, where they are valued for their authenticity, craftsmanship, and reverent portrayal of the American Southwest.