Now on view at the Plainsmen Gallery is this year’s Fall Harvest group show, featuring more than 80 Western and wildlife masterpieces in a variety of mediums. The gallery is excited to also be including animated digital art for the first time. Viewers can expect to see stunning works by renowned artists in the Western genre such as John Coleman, Oreland Joe, Deborah LaFogg and Ezra Tucker.
Victor Blakey, Old Bear Hunter, oil, 24 x 36”
Artist Victor Blakey, from Plano, Texas, will have two new Apache-themed portraits for the show, that focus on the internal struggle of Apache scouts. “Apache scouts were employed by the United States Army during the Apache wars,” Blakey explains. “These men found themselves trapped between two cultures. I hope to illustrate this stress in facial expressions.”
For his piece The Old Bear Hunter, he says, “My inspiration for the work, and with all my work, is man’s struggle to endure in an unforgiving land. When I painted [the piece], I wanted to depict a Captain Ahab-type of personality. He is obsessed with the hunt. So, in this context, the unseen bear is a metaphor. It represents what we pursue at the cost of everything else.”
David Yorke, To Be Brave, oil, 18 x 15½”
David Yorke, out of Florida, will also be including portrait pieces such as Mystic Warrior, of a Native American man in profile and in full regalia. “What I wanted to show for this portrait was a somewhat aggressive pose of a medicine man in firelight, rather than doing a more traditional or formal posture,” says Yorke. “The feeling was intended to portray a sense of urgency and the power of his role in his tribe for their spiritual preparedness. The buffalo-horned headdress was worn primarily by special tribal leaders to reflect the powers and spirit of the animal and enhance their success in battle.”
Yorke uses his own photos taken of live models for his paintings, and often uses his own regalia that he’s researched and constructed.
Sandy Graves, The Prince, bronze, ed. of 50, 33 x 14 x 9”
Sculpture pieces will also be featured, like the work of Colorado wildlife artist Sandy Graves. The artist is continually inspired by her local wildlife and expresses it in bronze pieces like The Prince. “[This piece] was created to honor the bull elk who reigns over his herd,” Graves says. “They are really so elegant in real life. I wanted to show their beauty and status through this piece. The modeled green patina is unexpected and adds a contemporary spin on the subject—a remarkable burst of life, spring color and joy.”
Steven Lang, Before Battle, oil, 36 x 36”
While an important aspect of Graves’ work comes from an emotional place that she hopes translates to the viewer. “I like to hint toward form without giving it all away,” she says. “The negative spaces create tension and comfort at the same time and fulfill a dual purpose of balance in the positive spaces and shadow through light. There must always be several perfect points of physical reference to identify the form and if I hit those targets well, the rest of the form can be free flowing and even imaginary. That balance keeps my viewers engaged and interested.”
The Fall Harvest show will be on full display through November 30. Check the gallery website for opening hours. —
Upcoming Show
Up to 80 works
Through Nov. 30, 2021
The Plainsmen Gallery
2141 Main Street, Dunedin, FL 34698,
(727) 734-8200, www.plainsmen.com
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