Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2024/No. 205 i Western Art Collector

Welcome to the September issue of Western Art Collector! We are showcasing wildlife art this issue, and we did not stop with just one section devoted to the genre—there are more than six wildlife features and shows. This issue should be called “The Best Wildlife Art of the Year.” The first question is: How much wildlife art in your collection is too much? Well, if you are like us, the answer is there can never be too much. If you lean toward wildlife art like I do, for me it is a simple question of which piece I want to acquire when working on this issue. (Yes, one of the benefits of being a publisher is getting to see the art first and having first dibs on whichever artwork—and there…

Ongoing The Women of the Southwest: A Legacy of Painting Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West Scottsdale, AZ – (480) 686-9539 www.scottsdalemuseumwest.org Through October 12 America’s Horse in Art Show & Sale AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM Amarillo, TX – (806) 376-5181 www.aqha.com/museum Through October 31 One with the Land: The Mountain Man’s Journey into the Unknown MUSEUM OF THE MOUNTAIN MAN Pinedale, WY – (307) 367-4101 www.museumofthemountainman.com Through December 31 Creating Common Memory THE WESTMORELAND MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART Greensburg, PA – (724) 837-1500 www.thewestmoreland.org Through January 5, 2025 Out of Site: Survey Science and the Hidden West AUTRY MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN WEST Los Angeles, CA – (323) 667-2000 www.theautry.org…

Published on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Briscoe Western Art Museum in October 2023, The West Starts Here: A Decade at the Briscoe is an appreciation of the famous art destination in San Antonio, Texas, as well as a deeper examination of key pieces in its robust and exciting permanent collection. Featuring essays and comprehensive art descriptions by Michael Duchemin, Emily Crawford Wilson and Judith Sobre, The West Starts Here explores the history of the building, which once housed a public library, and also looks to the future as the Briscoe has become a major art destination for all things related to the West. Even the title carries significance about the American West: San Antonio straddles the 98th Meridian and signifies the divide between East and West.…

A quick Google search will tell you Carrie Wild is from Michigan. As a kid, she showed horses and loved drawing. In high school, she picked up a camera and later a brush. Internet biographies are peppered with points of parity like “loves of the outdoors” and “passion for art from an early age.” If you were to read everything that’s been written about Wild (hypothetically speaking, of course), you’d be left with a sense that she’s like most other artists. Take a look at her work, and you’d wonder if there’s more to the story. “Intimidating” is a word used to describe Wild, who juggles four galleries, two kids and an art practice of her own. It’s tough to get her on the phone, but when you do, you…

Start talking to the wildlife artists and they will tell you the same thing: “The animals aren’t hard to find…” Then they’ll take a dramatic pause and finish their thought: “…If you know where to look.” And they’re right. The animals are out there—grizzlies in Glacier National Park, wolves and bison in Yellowstone, moose in Jackson Hole, mountain lions in Southern Arizona—for those adventurous enough to seek them out. Sometimes it comes down to luck and being at the right place at the right time, and other times the odds can be stacked in the artist’s favor by hiring a guide or, alternatively, spending a great deal of time outdoors and knowing what to look for, and where, while out in the wild. Wildlife encounters are special moments between a…

When Geoffrey Gersten was working in computer-aided design for Honeywell and Boeing he was bored. “I was looking for the word ‘electrolysis’ in an encyclopedia,” he relates, “and, while flipping through the pages, came across ‘etching.’ Its accompanying illustration was an etched copper plate from which a print was being pulled. It looked like a typical drafting drawing—so natural to me, so familiar, but one that had been shuffled. All of the lines were out of place, creating something entirely new and different—a work of art. An endeavor to create an image representing a deeper truth, which we specifically call art. This was my eureka moment in life.” He became an artist, teaching himself by studying the work of Dutch and Danish masters and their use of light and shadow.…

Landscape and figurative painter James Ayers, had several goals in mind during his preparation for his new solo show, Intersect, at Canyon Road Contemporary Art. While representational in style, Ayers set-out to incorporate abstracted elements to his pieces that are inspired by themes of interconnectedness, while also tapping into an expressionistic style that “provides a way for a viewer to experience a moment instead of simply observing.” The artist adds, “The title Intersect, reflects the intersection of natural landscapes and human activity. “I use spray paint and crayon—mediums typically associated with urban life, alongside traditional oil paint—to create a dialogue between the past and the present, the natural and the man-made. This approach speaks to the many layers of my life, merging my love for nature with my connection to…

Rising quickly through the ranks of Western art is Brad Teare, whose paintings are finding their way into many new and important collections around the country. “I paint landscapes to give people joy because the textures and colors of nature bring me immense happiness,” he says. “There’s something profoundly soothing about the way sunlight dances on leaves, the vibrant hues of a sunset, and the intricate patterns on a lichen-encrusted boulder. When I translate these natural wonders onto canvas, I share a sense of awe and peace with others.” Teare’s inspirations are deeply rooted in the beauty of the American West, particularly the canyons, mountains and deserts of Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. “Light is a critical element of my work, transforming the scenery from the golden glow of dawn…

Knowing the West: Visual Legacies of the American West was curated to explore how how people see the American West, and then expand it. It aims to tell a more inclusive story and show the diverse groups who shaped the art and life of the West. Co-curated by Mindy Besaw, Crystal Bridges’ curator of American art and director of research, fellowships, and university partnerships, and Jami Powell (Osage), associate director for curatorial affairs and curator of Indigenous art at the Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth, the exhibition presents more than 120 historic works by Native and non-Native American artists, including textiles, baskets, paintings, pottery, sculpture, beadwork, saddles and print, spanning the early 19 th century to today. “Throughout the development and planning for this exhibition, we have prioritized the display…

Returning for the 43 rd year of celebrating Western culture in all its unique forms—and inspired by the event’s location in Cody, Wyoming—is the esteemed Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale. Featuring more than 100 contemporary Western artists, showcasing impressive Western scenes in oil, watercolor, pastel and bronze, the 2024 edition is one collectors won’t want to miss. “The artwork showcased in the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale represents the West in unique and incredible ways,” explains Katelyn Parker, show director. “Our artists represent the West, both old and new, and produce pieces that honor our landscape, historical figures, cultures and wildlife. It is remarkable to see the West through their unique viewpoints.” Parker also notes that the five-week event is organized by the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce,…

On June 22, Brian Lebel’s Santa Fe Old West Show & Auction, with Morphy Auctions, presented its summer sale to bidders at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. Several hours after bidding started, the sale closed to the tune of $2.2. million. While fine art held strong in the sale, much of the total was generated from Western gear, historic artifacts and other material related to West. The top lot in the sale was Edward H. Bohlin’s Justin Dart “Disney” Saddle. The custom-made saddle, intricately designed with silver work on almost every piece of the saddle, was estimated at $125,000 to $175,000, but flew past those numbers before closing at $307,000. Lebel’s sales frequently feature historic firearms, and this summer’s sale was no exception with a Colt Single-Action Army revolver…

One of the many endearing qualities about the Western art market is the cyclical nature of all the shows and events. Every month is jam packed with annual events and happenings. In January, there’s Denver. In March, Great Falls, Montana, or Phoenix and Wickenburg, Arizona. April is Scottsdale, Arizona. It’s like this all year round. June in Oklahoma. August in Santa Fe, New Mexico. November is Fort Worth, Texas. I’m painting with a broad brush here; with a finer brush I could tell you what’s happening every weekend. There’s even a handful of weekends with events every hour! In September, it’s all about Jackson Hole, Wyoming. But then also Cody, Wyoming; Indianapolis; Alpine, Texas; Solvang, California; and, this year, even New York City. (You can read about each of these…

October 11-12, 2024 Lone Star Art Auction  Dallas, TX – (469) 608-7600 October 12-13, 2024 Cherokee Art Market Tulsa, OK– (918) 384-6714 November 1-2, 2024 Cowboy Artists of America Show & Sale Fort Worth, TX – (817) 247-1200 November 8-9, 2024 Santa Fe Art Auction’s Annual Signature Live Auction Santa Fe, NM – (505) 954-5858 November 2024 (Dates TBA) SWAIA Winter Indian Market Santa Fe, NM – (505) 983-5220 January 11-26, 2025 Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale Denver, CO – (303) 291-2567 January 24-25, 2025 Brian Lebel’s Old West Show & Auction Las Vegas, NV – (877) 968-8880 January 2025 (Dates TBA) PIWAA Symposium Denver, CO – (720) 865-5000 February 14-16, 2025 Southeastern Wildlife Exposition Charleston, SC – (843) 723-1748 March 20-25, 2025 The Russell Great Falls, MT –…

1 Dan Knepper brings new work to Jackson Hole Painter Dan Knepper, who’s been on a hot streak throughout the last year, will be showing a brand new painting at the Jackson Hole Art Auction on September 14 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The sale, which always features a stunning selection of wildlife and landscape art, will take place at the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts. His piece, The Last Wild Places, features a waterfall crashing around a rocky stream. “I went to the mountains and realized this is what I want to paint, the last wild places,” the artist notes about the work. To learn more about the artist, visit www.danknepperart.com. 2 New Nancy Boren work sails out over the West Riding the Prairie Wind, showing a figure clinging…

A juried art show limited to just 30 to 35 artists, the 14 th annual SLOPOKE Art Exhibit showcases a variety of depictions of the American West in a wide range of mediums from paintings and drawings to sculpture, photography and more. For the eighth year in a row, SLOPOKE will be held at Flag Is Up Farms, the famous equestrian ranch of internationally renowned horse trainer Monty Roberts, in Solvang, California. The paintings of participating artist Josh Louchheim are a combination of the natural world and the world within his imagination. The artist considers himself a landscapist, focusing on his Sonoran Desert home. “Growing up in the desert has provided me with so much inspiration, which I try to depict in my paintings. Though I paint the landscape and mountains…

Dustin Van Wechel began his career in the arts as a graphic designer and art director—and the entire time, he yearned for something different. “I always knew I wanted to do my own thing and become a fine artist, but I didn’t really know how,” he says. He began to explore art shows around the country and build relationships with other artists. “Once I started talking with other artists, they convinced me to give it a go. But honestly, I wasn’t too hard to convince.” Van Wechel’s newest venture is Wildscapes of the West, a solo show at Broadmoor Galleries in Colorado Springs, Colorado. When putting together a show, Van Wechel doesn’t think about traditional narrative themes—instead, he views the collection of work as a musical composition. “It’s like hitting…

Now in his 70s, Glenn Renell has decades as a painter under his belt. “I’ve been at this a long time. As a kid, painting was the only thing I ever did.” He went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in art, then taught at the Maine College of Art in Portland, Maine, for more than 20 years. In his early days, Renell was an abstract expressionist. “I took drawing classes and developed figurative skills, but I was an abstract painter,” he says. In the mid-1980s, he shifted his focus to landscapes, though there’s still an abstract quality to his work that shines through. For the past two years, he’s been working on a series of paintings based on the views immediately surrounding his home, which is located around…

Painter Naomi Brown notes that her two landscape paintings, Peaceful Desert and Summer Ocotillo, are home to her. “Painting home makes my heart happy because of all my memories of growing up there,” she says. “Although I call Queen Creek, Arizona, home now, my heart will always belong to Twentynine Palms, California, where the vastness of the Mojave Desert captures my love for the desert. The Bullion Mountains out in Wonder Valley (just east of Twentynine Palms) display their beautiful, sometimes vibrant peaches and golds each evening as the sun sets. It’s always a delight to see each evening as a desert local.” Brown’s work has resonated deeply with collectors, and that excitement for her work has been fueling her ascent in the art world. She’s represented by three galleries,…

Stemming from the donated collection of Fran and Edward Elliott, comes the significant exhibition The Women of the Southwest: A Legacy of Painting, hosted at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. “This collection represents one of the most significant donations of artwork by women to an American institution,” says museum representatives. “These artists were drawn to Arizona [specifically] by its dramatic landscapes, vibrant desert hues, unique light and rich cultural history. Despite the challenges posed by the absence of major art centers and patrons, these women thrived and left an indelible mark on the art world.” Betsy Fahlman, professor of art history at Arizona State University, founding board member of Western Spirit and friend to the collectors’, adds that “Fran Elliott formed a truly remarkable collection of Arizona’s early…

The epic landscape of the Grand Canyon National Park holds a timeless allure for many, including artists who seek to capture even a sliver of its majestic qualities. This is why the annual Grand Canyon Celebration of Art has reached immense popularity among patrons and artists alike. More than 23 artists gather along the South Rim of the canyon to paint in plein air from September 7 to 14, and infuse their own vision into inspiring Grand Canyon depictions. “[This] is an extraordinary event that celebrates the profound connection between human expression and the majesty of Grand Canyon National Park,” adds Mindy Riesenberg, chief communications officer for the Grand Canyon Conservancy. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to watch artists at work, including during the “official” Artist Paint-Out on September…

This fall, Heritage Auctions hosts its second auction from the collection of passionate collector Jack Harrod Jr. Taking place September 17, Southwest Visions II: Property from the Collection of Jack B. Harrod Jr. will offer bidders a broad and colorful selection of Southwestern and folk art, including paintings, sculpture, works on paper and Zuni pottery, as well as ceremonial sculpture from the many Indigenous cultures native to the Southwest. A highlight in the forthcoming sale is Dan Namingha’s 1998 acrylic Hopi Landscape, an abstract piece made up of the naturally bright, warm colors of the Southwest. The painting has a presale estimate of $2,000 to $3,000. Other highlights include Early Morning Brings the Abundant Gift of Life (est. $7/10,000) by Helen Hardin, and Preston Singletary’s richly hued glass and mixed…

Western Art Trail Calendar OUR GUIDE TO SPECIAL EVENTS, SALES & AUCTIONS FROM COAST TO COAST September 2024 Through September 1 Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West  DESERT CABALLEROS WESTERN MUSEUM Wickenburg, AZ – (928) 684-2272  www.westernmuseum.org September 1-November 30 64th Annual Art and the Animal Exhibition  SIOUX CITY PUBLIC MUSEUM  Sioux City, IA – (712) 279-6174  www.siouxcitymuseum.org September 2-21 Miniatures by the Lake  COEUR D’ALENE GALLERIES  Coeur d’Alene, ID – (208) 667-7732  www.cdagalleries.com September 4-15 Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival JACKSON HOLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Jackson Hole, WY – (307) 733-3316  www.jacksonholechamber.com September 5-October 1 Dustin Van Wechel: Wildscapes of the West  BROADMOOR GALLERIES Colorado Springs, CO – (928) 231-3564 www.broadmoorgalleries.com September 6-15 James Ayers: Intersect CANYON ROAD CONTEMPORARY ART  Santa Fe, NM – (505)…

Now within the permanent collection at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is William R. Leigh’s classic 1947 painting The Struggle for Existence. The painting shows a tightly grouped circle of horses trying to wait out a pack of wolves that has surrounded it. The piece comes from the collection of William and Joffa Kerr, the founders of the museum. “This painting is just one of the 1,261 artworks that the Kerrs have donated to the museum,” says associate curator of art Kennis Forte. “Their donations and long-term loans, which number an additional 193 pieces, make up the JKM Collection. This particular member of the JKM Collection arrived at the museum in 1995. Since that time, it has been a part of at least two special…

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Featuring the world’s top conservation-themed artwork, the annual Artists for Conservation Festival returns to the VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver. The 2024 festival will see 169 artists showcasing 200 artworks depicting wildlife and nature. The organization behind the festival, the Artists for Conservation, has a mission to “support wildlife and habitat conservation and environmental education through art that celebrates nature,” explains Jeff White, AFC president and founder. “The festival is the organization’s flagship event and was created to fulfill this mission. It’s the embodiment of ‘art in action.’” Whiting adds, “Since its launch, AFC has grown into an international movement at a critical juncture in human history. Over that same period, our natural world has undergone a profound transformation with over 70 percent of global wildlife lost in that time.…

When the surface of a bronze sculpture is exposed to oxygen and moisture, it oxidizes and is recognized as the greenish film on the Statue of Liberty, for instance, or the green of copper gutters and roofs. The Egyptians and Romans developed artificially patinated surfaces and the art form progressed through to the present where subtle patinas are applied to bronze sculptures using natural elements and heat. The seemingly miraculous transformation of heating iron, copper nitrate, silver, titanium dioxide, cobalt and other materials to produce a variety of colors on bronze was, in the past, called alchemy. Nathan Bennett, who applies patinas to the sculptures of other artists, has developed an extraordinary control of the process to create subtle patina paintings on bronze panels. “In times past,” he says,” I…

The Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival was originally started as a way to boost tourism after Labor Day. The event, hosted by the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, has become one of Wyoming’s most anticipated and liveliest events of the entire year. It’s helped put Jackson Hole on the map as a year-round art destination and is home to some of the most prominent galleries in the country. This year, the chamber will celebrate the event’s 40th anniversary by bringing back time-honored events, hosting a very special anniversary party and featuring two incredible artists. What makes this festival so special to the community as well as art enthusiasts is the commitment to serving the most immersive experiences in wildlife, Western and landscape art. Attendees will have the chance to explore…

The Bosque Art Classic kicks off on September 14 with a sale and awards dinner celebrating the work of 100 Western artists. The juried exhibition features 175 works of representational art, much of which pays homage to the Western way of life through subjects like ranching, landscapes, wildlife and scenes of everyday life. “I don’t see this show as only a celebration of a Texas way of life but as a slice of American life,” says art council president Karen Cornett, adding that entries come from every corner of the country. “Many subjects have been integrated in the artwork that makes up this show giving it universal appeal.” Cowboy Artists of America member Martin Grelle served as juror for this year’s show, which features the work of talented newcomers David…