For nearly four decades Settlers West Galleries in Tucson, Arizona, has hosted its American Miniatures show with more than 175 artists presenting new small-scale paintings and sculpture to collectors. This event, which kicks off on February 13 with an intent-to-purchase draw, is one of the gallery’s signature shows and allows collectors the chance to buy artwork by some of the biggest names in the Western art world at a more affordable price.
Scott Tallman Powers, Senora de Oaxaca, oil, 10 x 8”
“American Miniatures always brings forward a unique combination of styles and subject matter by some of America’s greatest artists,” says gallery owner Stuart Johnson. “Their task is to create a large painting in a small frame, which is not easily accomplished. This will be Settlers West’s 39th annual American Miniatures, and we look forward to seeing all the wonderful works gathered for this stellar event.”
Included in this year’s show will be new works by Scott Tallman Powers, Robert Griffing, Joe Kronenberg, Daniel K. Tennant, Tina Garrett, William Acheff, Robert Peters, R.S. Riddick and more.
Robert Griffing, They Crossed Here, oil, 12 x 9”
Powers’ painting Senora de Oaxaca depicts a woman in Mexico who he came across during his travels. Recounting the inspiration, Powers says, “Walking through the markets throughout Oaxaca, Mexico, you will find many kind and colorful vendors selling their wares. I was inspired by this woman as she organized and meticulously arranged her produce in hopes for profitable sales that day.”
Joe Kronenberg, Three Amigos, oil, 6 x 18”
Three Amigos, by Kronenberg, is a horizontal composition with multiple wolf portraits, which was the initial inspiration for composing the piece. “I had intended to paint three to five standing wolves across a long, narrow scene,” Kornenberg explains. “As I was going through reference photos
I came across some close-up images of these three. By cropping the image in to portraits I felt I could paint a more intimate piece, showing the closeness and bond between the animals.”
Daniel K. Tennant, A Beautiful Fruit, gouache, 11¾ x 8¾”
Garrett says, while it may be “self-serving” she creates paintings that she would want to enter and live within. Such is the case with her work Cinnamon Summer, which was the smallest figure she ever painted. The work depicts, “a quiet place where time is still, where weeds and wildflowers cradle stirring bugs and slivers of shade and breeze cut the morning heat,” Garrett shares.
Tina Garrett, Cinnamon Summer, oil, 8 x 12½”
Robert Peters, Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde, oil on linen, 12 x 9”
Tennant’s painting A Beautiful Fruit is a deceivingly simple composition of Concord grapes against a wooden backdrop. “This small painting of a clump of Concord grapes brought back memories of one of my great-grandmothers who had a large grape arbor filled with them. I always thought they were such a beautiful looking fruit— plump, with deep coloration and they have such a sweet taste (but you have to spit out the skins as they can be sour),” says the artist. “This clump was from an Amish friend who also grows Concord grapes. I did not realize the vines were so colorful either. Concord grapes are the most popular type of grape used in making grape jelly. I put in different textures in the painting—smooth grapes, rough wood and shiny leaves—all to add interest.”
American Miniatures will hang at the gallery through February 28. —
Upcoming Show
Up to 350 works
February 13, 2021
Settlers West Galleries
6420 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85718,
(520) 299-2607
www.settlerswest.com
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