The bid boxes are a mundane feature at most by-draw sales, a feature that usually only bidders take interest in. But at a Kyle Polzin show, the boxes can be downright thrilling.
Guardian of the Grassland, oil, 31 x 40” SOLD: $200,000
At Polzin’s new one-man show, Grace & Grit—which opened November 16 at the Legacy Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona—the bid boxes were not just full, they were practically bulging open. And not just one or two of the boxes, but 11 of them packed full of intent-to-purchase slips from collectors who were vying to own one of Polzin’s famous Western still life paintings. The show was historic for Polzin: $842,000 in sales across 17 works, six of which were sold by auction, including Guardians of the Grasslands, a 40-inch-wide piece featuring a Native American headdress that fetched $200,000. 
Manifest Destiny, oil, 38 x 38” SOLD: $105,000
The day began with a presentation by the Texas-based artist, who discussed with guests how he creates his stunningly detailed works. Polzin had his entire family in town—his wife, Leigh, and daughters, Kate and Taylor—as well as extended family members. It was the artist’s daughters who were tasked with pulling bid forms during the evening’s draw, which processioned around the room as anxious collectors waited for their names to be drawn.
“It meant a lot to see so many people wanting one of these new pieces. The show was a long time in the making, and it’s kept me in the studio and busy for a long time, but it was worth it to see how many people were bidding for the paintings,” Polzin said at the opening. “It’s a humbling experience for an artist.”
1. Kyle and Leigh Polzin, left, with Brad and Jinger Richardson at the Legacy Gallery. 2. Guests mingle at the gallery opening in Scottsdale. 3. Brad Richardson, owner of the Legacy Gallery, opens the show with Kyle and Leigh Polzin. 4. Kyle Polzin’s daughters prepare to draw bid slips during the draw. 5. Kate and Taylor Polzin pull bid slips during the by-draw portion of the show. 6. Kyle Polzin and his family at the opening of his new solo show November 16, 2019.
Highlights from the auction portion of the sale include Quick Draw, a painting of a gun in a leather holster, which realized $70,000; Tuesday Delivery, featuring an arrangement of peonies, which sold for $85,000; and two saddle pieces that were sold separately, but as a bidder’s choice. Bidding for the saddle paintings concluded at $105,000, after which the winning bidder was given a choice of which painting they wanted to purchase, or to buy both for $210,000—they chose to buy both. 
Defender of the Territory, oil, 38 x 38” SOLD: $105,000
“We’re feeling extra grateful and quite excited. For an artist still in his mid-40s to sell 17 paintings at $842,000, that’s pretty phenomenal,” Legacy Gallery owner Brad Richardson says. “These big shows come with a lot of pressure for the artists. Kyle had 17 pieces, and a normal show of his is between eight and 12, so it’s not that much bigger than an average show. But it’s more stressful because it’s a big event. There is more advertising, more articles…everything is ramped up. But Kyle pulled it all together in a really big way.” —
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