Albin Veselka was born in 1979 in Casper, Wyoming and raised in Idaho where he presently lives with his wife, Jenee, and three children. Veselka's interest in art began at the age of six years. He expresses his gratefulness to his parents for encouraging his emerging talent even when resources were scarce.

In 2006 Veselka received his BFA from Brigham Young University, Idaho. He credits the knowledgeable and student-oriented faculty of the BYUI art department for giving him “the tools all representational artists must have to open the door to communicating in the visual arts.” While still a college student, Veselka received direction in how to break into the gallery scene. Since then, his career continuously flourishes, with his artwork receiving numerous honors from prestigious organizations and exhibitions.

Presently, Veselka teaches part-time in that very same Art Department at BYUI that provided him his painting skills. He explains, “Teaching is another way I can share the beauty of what I have learned; it fulfills me to be around like-minded people in the art world. I feel blessed to continue my education with the faculty and students with whom I work. In this environment I can continually refine and develop through teaching.”

Veselka’s career has been a continual learning experience as he finds inspiration in a variety of subject matter and working methods. “I think an artist's work represents his life. Consequently, I paint a variety of things that interest me rather than trying to create an image based around a specific subject matter or style of painting.” Veselka is constantly finding new subjects to appreciate based on what surrounds him, as well as the works of the masters—both living and deceased. Some of the influences he credits for his inspiration and development include the works of Nicolai Fechin, John Singer Sargent, Abram Arkhipov, Joaquin Serolla, Harvey Dunn, Richard Schmid, Carl Rungius, Mike Malm, Carolyn Anderson and Leon Parson.

Veselka states, “If I can enrich the lives of those who view my work in any way, I have accomplished my goal. There is something of the divine that comes through the work of one who has mastered his mode of expression and who has something good to say. Be it simple or profound, intellectual or spiritual, when that message comes through and awakens something within the receiver that improves his or her life that, I believe, is the higher purpose of art. That’s what I strive for.”

Selected Collections

BYU Idaho, Rexburg, Idaho

LDS Church Museum of History and Art, Salt Lake City, Utah

Freemont County, St. Anthony, Idaho

Selected Exhibitions

2012-2015   Masters in Miniature show and silent Auction at Trailside Gallery

2013-2015   Small Gems Exhibition at Waterhouse Gallery

2012-2014   Great American Figurative Artists Exhibition, Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, California

2012-2013   National Museum of Wildlife Art, Plein Air Event and Silent Auction, Jackson, Wyoming

2012-2013   Trailside Galleries, Masters in Miniature Show, Jackson, Wyoming

2011-2012   Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival Quickdraw

2009-2014   Oil Painters of America National Show and Sale

Howard Mandville Small Works Invitational

Two-man show with Josh Clare at the Brigham Young University Idaho Art Gallery

Phippin Museum, Prescott, Arizona

Selected Publications

Fine Art Connoisseur, Southwest Art and Art of the West.