Aspen, Colorado paintings by Topher Straus
Aspen, Colorado
Colorado artist Topher Straus paints Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, the Maroon Bells and the town after the lifts close. Eleven paintings of Aspen and the valley around it.
“Aspen is never only one scene to me. The glow after the lifts close, the energy of the mountain, and the quiet around the Maroon Bells each leave a different impression. I paint those changes in feeling.”
TOPHER STRAUS
The Aspen paintings
Ten paintings of Aspen, one at Snowmass.
Maroon Bellsfrom $11,900The Bells under the stars, reflected in Maroon Lake30 × 60 in to 45 × 90 inThe 45 × 90 in and 30 × 60 in editions have sold.
The Bellsfrom $6,500The Maroon Bells in deep purple30 × 60 in to 45 × 90 in, verticalThe 45 × 90 in edition of 1 has sold.
Winter Bellsfrom $5,500The Bells at sunset above a frozen lake30 × 60 in to 42 × 84 in; also a 90 × 180 in quadtych
Summer Aspenfrom $5,500Colorado aspens in high summer60 × 30 in to 84 × 42 in
Aspen Lightsfrom $5,500The town glowing beneath the mountain at night30 × 60 in to 45 × 90 inThe 45 × 90 in edition of 1 has sold.
The Eightsfrom $5,500Figure eights in fresh snow at Aspen Highlands30 × 60 in to 45 × 90 in, verticalThe 45 × 90 in edition of 1 has sold.
AspenGlowfrom $2,700Sunset over the meadows, gondola towers leading into the glow18 × 36 in to 45 × 90 inThe 45 × 90 in edition of 1 has sold.
Champagnefrom $5,500Nearby: Champagne powder at Snowmass30 × 60 in to 42 × 84 in
Scorpiofrom $5,500The Scorpio constellation over the snow at Aspen Highlands30 × 60 in to 45 × 90 in, verticalThe 45 × 90 in edition of 1 has sold.
Ashcroftfrom $5,500Autumn aspens and a cabin in the ghost town up Castle Creek30 × 60 in to 42 × 84 in
Aspen Elevatedfrom $5,500Gondola cabins rising over the snow above town30 × 60 in to 42 × 84 in
Aspen Lovefrom $2,700Aspen Mountain under rainbow skies18 × 36 in to 42 × 84 in
Where each painting stands
Every painting begins with a real place in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Aspen Mountain
The gondola in Aspen Elevated; the mountain under rainbow skies in Aspen Love.
The town
Aspen glowing at night in Aspen Lights.
Aspen Highlands
Figure eights in fresh snow in The Eights; the Scorpio constellation over the slopes in Scorpio.
The Maroon Bells
Three paintings: Maroon Bells, The Bells and Winter Bells. See them together.
Ashcroft
The ghost town up Castle Creek in autumn in Ashcroft.
Snowmass
Champagne powder in Champagne. Snowmass paintings.
About Aspen
Aspen began as a silver mining boomtown in 1879 and was reborn after the Second World War as a ski town and a cultural capital, home to the Aspen Institute and the Aspen Music Festival. Four mountains surround it: Aspen Mountain rising straight out of downtown, Aspen Highlands with its Highland Bowl, gentle Buttermilk, and Snowmass down the valley.
Topher Straus, Aspen, Colorado artist
“I’ve been coming to Aspen since I was a little boy. My mother owned a home here, so Aspen has always been part of my story, and some of my dearest memories are of being here with my grandmother. Every season is beautiful, and all four mountains are extraordinary, but Highlands is where I love to ride.”
TOPHER STRAUS
Aspen has since become part of his life as an artist. During Aspen Art Week he has been invited to present solo exhibitions at Intersect Aspen, the art and design fair. In 2025 the Aspen Times reported sales of his paintings at a record-setting fair.
The fair also gave him a painting. Celebrating with friends on the gondola at sunset during the 2024 fair, he looked out at the light and began AspenGlow, which he calls “a love letter to Aspen,” to its energy, elegance and sophistication.
He gives back here too: he has taken part in fundraisers for the Boys & Girls Club in Aspen, and at Intersect Aspen 2026 he was among the artists giving 15 percent of their sales to the Aspen Community Foundation. “Through my art I’ve made so many great friends in this community,” he says. “I feel a part of it now, and that is a tremendous honor.”
Topher Straus in Aspen, Colorado
Topher Straus in the Aspen press
The Aspen Times, the Aspen Daily News and Modern Luxury have covered Topher’s work at Intersect Aspen and during Aspen Art Week.
- The Aspen TimesIntersect Aspen Art + Design Fair sees record attendance, sales Read on The Aspen Times →
- The Aspen TimesMountain Mayhem: Art Week Read on The Aspen Times →
- Aspen Daily NewsThe intersection of local and global art Read on Aspen Daily News →
- Aspen Daily NewsIce rink transforms to a world of art Read on Aspen Daily News →
- Modern LuxuryAspen’s Art Fairs are a Nexus of Culture Read on Modern Luxury →
- Vail DailyDigital Nomad Read on Vail Daily →
See the work in Aspen
A private viewing
Topher arranges private viewings for collectors, at his studio in Golden, Colorado or by appointment.
Arrange a private viewingIntersect Aspen
Topher presents solo exhibitions at Intersect Aspen, the art and design fair held each summer during Aspen Art Week. See the 2024 show.
Art for an Aspen home
Made for the scale of a mountain home: each painting is sealed into museum-grade aluminum.
30 × 60 in
to 45 × 90 in for most Aspen paintings; Winter Bells also as a 90 × 180 in quadtych.
Numbered
Each size is a small, numbered edition, with as few as one made at the largest size.
Installed
Across Colorado, we can refer you to installation specialists we trust.
Questions collectors ask
Which painting feels most like Aspen?
Aspen Lights is the town at night; Aspen Elevated and Aspen Love are Aspen Mountain; The Eights and Scorpio are Aspen Highlands; Maroon Bells, The Bells and Winter Bells are the Maroon Bells in three seasons and moods.
Can I see the work in person?
Yes. Topher arranges private viewings, and his work was shown at the Intersect Aspen art fair in 2024.
Can you help with installation?
Yes. Across Colorado, we can refer you to installation specialists we trust.
How much does an Aspen painting by Topher Straus cost?
Aspen paintings start at $2,700 for an 18 × 36 in edition and run to $135,000 for a 90 × 180 in edition of 1. The most chosen size, 30 × 60 in, is $5,500 to $6,500. Each painting’s page shows which editions remain.
Which size suits an Aspen home?
For a great room or a double-height wall, 42 × 84 in or 36 × 72 in holds the space; above a fireplace or a sofa, 30 × 60 in usually fits. Send a photograph of the wall and Topher will tell you which size works.
Do you work with interior designers and architects?
Yes. Designers and architects can send plans or wall photos for sizing and placement, arrange a private viewing, and get help with installation.
Commission your Aspen
Your run, your view from the deck, the valley you return to.
Start a commissionMore of Colorado