Surrounded by the beautiful red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, Mountain Trails Gallery holds its yearly Summer Group Show, featuring quintessential depictions of cowboy culture and the Southwest. “Our Summer Group Showis a time to look at our artists who do amazing work all year long and to present an outstanding example of what they do best,” says Julie R. Williams, director of Mountain Trails Gallery. The exhibition features a stellar lineup of paintings, sculpture and mixed media works by artists like Susanne Nyberg, Joe Garcia, Simon Winegar, Raymond Gibby, Shawn Cameron, Dustin Payne and more.
Joe Garcia, Double Take (coyote), oil, 9 x 12”
“Where I live, I am fortunate to have a variety of native wildlife. The coyote is one of them,” says Garcia, whose acrylic Double Take (coyote) captures a decisive moment in which the wild canine spots potential prey. “The coyote is an interesting subject in that they are highly resourceful and very intelligent. They have been able to adapt to a variety of habitats. I happened to see this fellow just as something caught his attention.”
Susanne Nyberg, Blooming Yuccas, oil, 12 x 16”
In Gibby’s bronze Occupational Hazard, a burro is precariously scaling down a cliff face, carrying a full load of explosives on its back. The piece, Gibby says, has multiple layers of meaning. “The burro’s lead rope has worn loose, so it is just wandering alone with the dangerous payload…So, first and foremost, the piece provides a ‘you decide the adventure’ sort of scenario for the viewer.” Gibby adds that the bronze also touches upon the concept of “the faithful burro…as he so reliably and selflessly helps fulfill the dreams of the treasure-seeking miner.”
Dustin Payne, Where the North Star Leads, bronze, ed. of 20, 10 x 25 x 6”
Circle at Sunrise, an oil by Cameron, depicts the working life of a rancher. “Occasionally a rancher wants to ride a pasture to evaluate livestock, grass and water conditions. When covering a large area the day begins early, often before sunrise and usually at a trot to see the whole country in a short amount of time. The rancher in Circle at Sunrise is doing just that…his ride will answer many questions at the day’s end,” says the artist.
Raymond Gibby, Occupational Hazard, bronze, 17 x 12 x 8”
The exhibition opens June 2 with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. and continues through June 30. —
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