In 1984 and again in 1985, Nikolo Balkanski was invited to Colorado to paint and exhibit his work, but he returned to his home in Finland. After his relocation to Evergreen, Colorado in 1986, he began devoting more time to painting the western landscape, although he continues to paint portraits, still life’s and figurative works to this day. Over the years, Nikolo has been involved in countless solo and group exhibitions, including Artists of America, Great American Artists, Artists of the West, American Impressionists Society, Oil Painters of America, The Brinton Museum, Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale, C.M.Russell Auction, Western Visions and others. He has won many awards including Premier Platinum and Williams E. Weiss Purchase Award at BBAS 2012, President’s Award of Excellence at OPA National 2013, Grand Prize Purchase Award at Paint the Parks 2012, Collectors Choice Award at Colorado Governor’s Invitational 1999, and Impressionist Award of Excellence at OPA National 2018. Nikolo Balkanski is Master Signature Member of Oil Painters of America.