Biography

“From my earliest memories, art has always played a role in my life. My father was a commercial artist as well as a stock horse trainer. I grew up with cowboys, horses, billboard layouts, type books, paint and brushes, and most importantly encouragement. These beginnings additionally instilled an interest in fine art, art history and a passion for the American West. When thinking of the artists that I have most admired, they all had one common thread. They created dramatic impact in their works through a profound understanding of light. Therefore, like my artistic heroes, my images are primarily concerned with the various qualities of light and shadow. The transparent aspect of watercolor particularly suits it to my purposes.”
-Marlin Rotach, 2025
Career Highlights
“Master Painter of the World” – International Artist Magazine
“Best in Show”-Transparent Watercolor Society of America (Kenosha, WI)
“Best in Show”-Watercolor USA (Springfield, MO)
“Best in Show”-Aqueous USA (Louisville, KY)
“Best in Show”-Western Spirit Exhibition (Cheyenne, WY)
“Best in Show”-Celebration of Western Art, Grand National Rodeo (San Francisco, CA)
“Best in Show”-Great Eight Exhibition (Wichita Art Museum, KS)
“Best in Show”-Art in the Woods all-media competition (Kansas City, MO)
Cheyenne Frontier Days Museum Purchase Award-2020
Cheyenne Frontier Days Museum Purchase Award-2017
Steel Dust Award 2017 – America’s Horse in Art, American Quarter Horse Museum (Amarillo, TX)
“Gold and Silver Medals in Aqua-media” – Bosque Art Classic (Clifton, TX)
People’s Choice Award-Hold Your Horses Exhibition (Prescott, AZ) 2020
People’s Choice Award-Hold Your Horses Exhibition (Prescott, AZ)2018
Award of Excellence-Western Art Collector Magazine 2020
Award of Excellence-Western Art Collector Magazine 2018
Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo 125th Anniversary Poster (Cheyenne, WY) 2021
Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo 2014 official poster (Cheyenne, WY)
Galleries and Invitational Exhibitions
Sorrel Sky Galleries – Durango, CO & Santa Fe, NM
Cheyenne Frontier Days Invitational Western Art Exhibition and Sale – Cheyenne, WY
Hold Your Horses Exhibition and Sale – Prescott, AZ
America’s Horse in Art Exhibition and Sale – Amarillo, TX
Bosque Classic Art Show – Clifton, TX
Small Works Great Wonders Art Exhibition and Sale – Oklahoma City, OK
Mountain Oyster Western Art Exhibition – Tucson, AZ