aRTISTS
dAVID BARANSKI
This online gallery was created in admiration of the body of work of David Baranski by his son, Conor Baranski.
Originally hailing from Toledo, Ohio, David left his home in the Midwest as a young adult in search of mountains! He found one of his favorites in Little Cottonwood Canyon and would ski Alta Ski Area for five years. It is there that he met his wife, Peggy, and in 1974 they moved just north of Sandpoint, Idaho, where they lived with no running water and no electricity for a couple years. It is in the Sandpoint area that they would make their lives, gaining both electricity and running water, and even a son!
Throughout the 80’s and 90’s, David supplemented his income as an artist by building homes. Every home was complete with a custom shop so he could continue to create art.
David remembers winning an art contest in middle school, but as a kid he only used art as an outlet for feeling frustrated. It was not until adulthood, when he moved to Sandpoint that he really started creating art more regularly. Living off the grid in the 70’s, there wasn’t much to do in the winter months, so that was the first time he dedicated more time and energy to his craft. It started with watercolors, but according to him, he was not particularly good. When a friend showed him woodworking, he immediately enjoyed the more physical aspect of sculpting instead of painting.
He said appreciation of his talents spread through word of mouth, and he essentially gained clients as different people were impressed with his work. He also gained fans and clients when he had the Baranski Studio open out in Hope, Idaho. Tourists visiting the area would stop in, fall in love with a favorite piece to take home, and continue purchasing artwork from David for years to come.
Nowadays, David simply creates art when he feels inspired, between biking, playing pickleball and traveling. He tired of snow a while ago, so spends his winters in warmer climates, and always brings smaller items to carve and paint. Even though David has a wide range of mediums, all his art has a similar theme and feel to it. As his family, we are some of his biggest fans, and I hope you enjoy his talent too!