Yosemite National Park. Photo by Rakshith Hatwar.

California is a state of diverse terrain—dazzling SoCal shorelines, the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges, the colossal redwood trees of the north. The list goes on. No matter where you turn, the Golden State has inspiring views. It’s also a state of abundant culture, including ranching and cowboy life—which still thrives to this day—as well as deep Native American influences, all of which culminate in something that feels like its own distinct flavor of the West.

A view of the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles. Photo by Jake Blucker.

For the Western art lover, don’t miss major institutions like the Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park in Los Angeles. In addition to collections that feature themes like “California history,” “Native America” and “ranching and cowboys,” the museum also holds the Masters of the American West Exhibition & Sale each year. The annual show brings in more than 60 of the biggest names in Western art today, including Bill Nebeker, Billy Schenck, Dennis Ziemienski, Shonto Begay, Amery Bohling, Preston Singletary, Brett Allen Johnson, Thomas Blackshear II, Logan Maxwell Hagege, Brent Cotton and many more. The 2024 event takes place this February 10 through March 24.

Towering redwood trees at Redwood National Forest. Photo by Venti Views.

Continue exploring the following pages to learn more about the top galleries and artists currently based in California, like the esteemed Maxwell Alexander Gallery, as well as artists like landscape painter Julia Munger Seelos and Frank Serrano, who paints cowboys, ranchers and sprawling scenes of the West.

Julia Munger Seelos, Land & Sea, oil, 12 x 18”

Seelos’ art is a celebration of the natural wonders of California, the graceful elegance of equestrian life, and the captivating allure of water. She will be painting again in the Carmel Art Festival in May and will be featured at Viewpoints Gallery, Los Altos in August.

Maxwell Alexander Gallery, Shadow’s Edge, oil, 16 x 24”, by Logan Maxwell Hagege.

California is an amazing state with much to offer. Specifically, Los Angeles and now Pasadena—where Maxwell Alexander Gallery’s new gallery is located—are towns full of culture, great weather, world-class museums and restaurants and, of course, art. In a post-Covid world, the gallery is continuing to do much business over the phone and email, shipping artworks nationwide and internationally, but in the last year it has noticed a large uptick in collectors wanting to visit the gallery in person again. 

Maxwell Alexander Gallery, The Western Sky, oil, 30 x 40”, by Eric Merrell.

 

Maxwell Alexander Gallery, Drifters, oil, 30 x 30”, by Glenn Dean.

“With so many folks being tied to Los Angeles, whether they are from here originally, have a kid or grandchild in college here, business relations, etc. Whatever it may be, we are a must visit destination for those who want to see the best in the West,” says owner Beau Alexander. “Sales have continued to increase each year and we expect a large increase from the upscale neighborhoods of Pasadena where we purchased our new building to house our gallery. Come visit us next time you’re in town!”

 

 +++

Frank Serrano, Wyoming Siesta, oil, 6 x 8”

Western artist Frank Serrano is drawn to the vast landscape and cattle ranches of the Owens Valley in California. Flanked by the Eastern Sierra to the west and the Inyo Mountains to the east, there is no shortage of great subject matter that continues to inspire this spirited painter of the West.

Frank Serrano, The Cattle Ramp, oil, 11 x 11”

Serrano is well-traveled and loves painting on location from life but also spends time in the saddle cowboying, which adds a level of authenticity to his work. When he isn’t outdoors, he is in the studio working on large paintings for museum exhibitions, gallery shows and commissions for collectors eager to own one of his Western paintings.

Tehachapi Arts Commission, One Last Look, oil, 18 x 24”, by Frank Ordaz.

An elegant evening event is planned for Friday, July 19, 2024, when the Tehachapi Arts Commission unveils the paintings juried into the fourth annual Art 2024 Tehachapi. A paint-out held in May brings 52 artists from across the country to Tehachapi, many of them for the fourth year in a row. The artists spend four days, roaming the area and beginning the paintings that will eventually be submitted for the July show.

Tehachapi Arts Commission, Until Tomorrow, o il, 18 x 24”, by Karen Winters.

The featured artist for Art 2024 Tehachapi is Laura Wambsgans, whose painting, Engine 29, won the Best of Show award at Art 2023 Tehachapi. Among the artists returning for the fourth year will be Peter Adams, Nita Harper and 2023 featured artist Junn Roca. Guests at the Friday evening opening will have the opportunity to speak with the participating artists and collectors from all over the country while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and drinks provided by the Tehachapi Arts Commission. An awards ceremony will be the highlight of the evening. The show is open to the public on July 20 to 21.

Tehachapi Arts Commission, Eastern Sierra Cattle Drive, oil, 16 x 16”, by Frank Serrano.

For more information on the show, visit the website of the Tehachapi Arts Commission at www.artstehachapi.org. —