In 2019, Sean Michael Chavez held a solo show at Acosta-Strong Fine Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The show sold out in short order, and it felt like validation for the up-and-coming Western painter.
“I had only been with the gallery for less than six months. So, in my mind, if I could just sell one painting that would have been validation enough. I was just happy to connect with new people and meet collectors,” the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based artist says. “But then it sold out and quickly. It certainly felt like validation, but more than that it was just gratitude.”
Encounter, oil on canvas, 36 x 48"
Chavez is back at Acosta-Strong for a sequel to that career-making debut. The solo show, which opens August 1, is called The West — A Second Coming and Chavez hopes to show collectors his vision of the Southwest. It’s a vision that gallery owner Carlos Acosta is excited to present at the Santa Fe gallery.
Study for El Diablero, oil on canvas, 24 x 20"
“I’m proud to present rising star Sean Michael Chavez. Sean’s first show with us completely sold out. I’m excited to see what this new show brings,” Acosta says. “Sean paints our culture, heritage and scenic beauty—basically what he knows, feels and lives. He’s bringing to new light our Mexican vaqueros, the original Western cowboys, who tend to be underrepresented in the art world, and the fact that this is his second show with us, The West — A Second Coming is the perfect title for our rising star.”
Study for A Wild Ride (Greenhorn), oil on canvas, 24 x 24"
One of several distinguishing factors about Chavez’s work is his muted color palette, which suggests the harsh light and staggering heat in the Southwest, where intense sunlight seems to bleach the rocks and create pitch-black shadows. “I’ve spent much of my life in central New Mexico, so I feel like I have a sensitive eye toward color, which is why I tend to lean toward a gray palette that matches the tones of the paintings,” he says. “I love seeing those colors of the Southwest—turquoise, bright oranges, reds—and how they are so subtly seen in the landscape.”
Paisano III, oil, 16 x 12"
His work also has a rawness to the paint, with exposed underpainting and even compositional grids that linger within the backgrounds. “I call those grid lines my armature,” he says. “I don’t want anything to feel overly finished. I also don’t want it to feel unfinished, but I do like leaving some of the layers exposed so you can feel the processes that brought the painting together.”
The Acosta-Strong show continues through August 15. A reception for the artist will be held August 6. —
Upcoming Show
Up to 14 works
August 1-15, 2021
Acosta-Strong Fine Art
200 Canyon Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 453-1825, www.acostastrong.com
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