Carson Gladson (1940-2023) was internationally renowned for his sensitive portrayals of nature. Gladson started painting at a young age and loved to browse art supply stores in his childhood town, Oakland. At fourteen, the exuberant artist, upon completing his first painting, strapped it to his bicycle and peddled straight to the Oakland Museum of Art. After catching his breath, he asked for and was granted an audience with the art director for a professional critique of his work. Encouraging words spurred Gladson on to pursue art in his curriculum throughout high school.

As a top ranking American landscape painter, Gladson's work is part of the permanent collections of both the San Francisco Museum of Art and the Oakland Museum of Art. His art is part of many corporate and private collections, including AT&T, Toyota, Price Waterhouse, Warner Brothers, General Mills, UCLA School of Business, Chapman University. You can also see his paintings on display at various hotels including Sheraton, Hilton, Westin, Radisson, Marriott, the Beverly Hills Hotel, and the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.