Manitou Galleries brings two significant artists together in one show: oil landscape painter Jeff Cochran, out of Taos, New Mexico, and bronze wildlife sculptor Jeremy Bradshaw from Kennewick, Washington. Both artists are dedicated to the natural world, inspired by their surroundings and joining forces to display timeless works of art.
Jeff Cochran, Wind and Water, oil on birch panel, 12 x 12"
Cochran has been painting the landscape of New Mexico for many years, with a current goal to “get better and purer,” he says. His home among alfalfa fields and his history as an organic farmer has instilled a deep love and respect for the land in which he paints.
He continues, “I am trying to get to a point where the paint falls into place. I have reached a point where subject matter does not carry the weight it did when I was younger. It has been a great relief to lose that attachment and to now put all focus on technique and practicing techniques that let the paint do the work.”
Jeff Cochran, Talking About Glory Days, oil on birch panel, 41 x 42"
Cochran has become interested in giving movement to his paintings. He wants them to feel as if the wind is blowing or have “a sense of catching a glimpse of a scene as you’re walking,” he furthers. This is felt in pieces such as Wind and Water, depicting a stream surrounded by trees and tall grasses, as well as Talking About Glory Days. This painting shows clouds in a blue sky that cast shadows along a mountainscape that meets with an open field. The shadows, along with the use of bold yellows and reds, give a sense of sunlight moving across the scene.
Much like Cochran, Bradshaw is influenced by nature but focuses on the animals within the landscape for his bronze creations. “I try to make time for watching wildlife in nature,” he adds, “and Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons are favorite places to find inspiration. I am fortunate to have a good friend that trains large animals for movies and television as well, so when I need specific references, I have some exceptional opportunities.”
Bradshaw really enjoys creating characters. “Most of the time I stylize the faces and expressions of my wild animal subjects to bring a greater sense of connection with viewers,” he explains. “I want people to see something slightly unexpected that draws them in for a closer look and holds them there for a longer moment of joy.”
Jeremy Bradshaw, Cinnamon Roll, bronze ed. of 25, 17 x 23 x 24"
This can be seen in work such as Badlands Brawler, of a bison in a charging pose. While the piece is a bit of a departure from Bradshaw’s usual playful characters, it still resonates.
“I wanted to challenge myself to tackle a more precise and direct interpretation of a bison ready to face a challenger,” he says. “There was certainly a frenetic energy that I wanted to impart to the sculpture with the wider stance, lowered head, raised tail and, of course, the hoof kicking up dirt.”
Jeremy Bradshaw, Badlands Brawler, bronze, ed. of 25, 18 x 8 x 11"
More playful pieces are ones like Cinnamon Roll, a bear cub that was originally designed as a companion piece to Bradshaw’s larger adult bear sculpture, Cinnamon Twist. “It seems that people are really connecting well to the sense of fun that the bear cub is having and feel camaraderie with him as we all celebrate more freedoms and openness this summer,” Bradshaw says.
Everyone is invited to celebrate these wild beauties with Manitou Galleries, beginning with an opening on September 10 and remaining on display through October 2.
Upcoming Show
Up to 35 works
Sept. 10-Oct. 2, 2021
Manitou Galleries
225 Canyon Road
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505)-986-9833
www.manitougalleries.com
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