Settlers West hosted its first Summer Show in 1985. Ever since, it been an opportunity for the gallery to showcase new works by some of the most established artists in the Western art world—this year, Don Oelze, William Acheff, Harley Brown, Robert Griffing, C. Michael Dudash and Daniel Smith—as well as promote paintings and sculpture by new and emerging talents like Cody Oldham, Terry Nybo, Jason Tako, Ashwini Bharathula. “The result is hopefully an exciting mix of styles and subject matter for our collectors and art enthusiasts,” says gallery manager Mike Salkowski.
John Fawcett, Whoop and Holler, watercolor, 15 x 19 in.
The show, featuring 80 new works by nearly 50 artists, opens Saturday, May 4 with an all-day preview followed by an opening reception at 5:30 p.m. All works are sold by intent to purchase draw at 7 p.m. that evening, and the show will continue through June 1.
Artists John Fawcett and Denis Milhomme are veterans of the show, both having participated for 20 years, give or take. “I am always excited to provide new work and see what my colleagues have produced for the show that culminates the season in Arizona,” says Fawcett. With his watercolor Whoop and Holler,he wanted to express the action of this Lakota brave on his horse, and convey the determination of both him and his mount.
Darcie Peet, June’s Wild Iris Surprise, oil, 20 x 20 in.
Milhomme’s piece Awakening is a very early morning scene inspired by a famous place called Schwabacher Landing in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. “It takes some work and planning to be there for first light, rising well before dawn, driving down dirt roads, and finding that special place, waiting in morning cold for the light to be just right,” Milhomme says. “Inspiration doesn’t come easy sometimes, but finding those moments in nature, are what drives me and being able to share that beauty with others.”
Rachel Brownlee, Tempest, charcoal, 20 x 16 in.
Brand new to the show this year is Ashwini Bharathula, who will be showing her floral Pillow Fight.“Growing roses in the Sonoran Desert is not straightforward,” says Bharathula. “Many things have to fall in place for them to thrive in the dry heat and intense sun. This small yet prodigious bush in my garden seems to break no sweat though. It has been the first to awaken two springs in a row, blooming in playful, fragrant white clusters. These beauties bring me a lot of joy, and I paint what makes me happy.”
Ashwini Bharathula, Pillow Fight, oil, 14 x 18 in.
Settlers West’s Summer Show is part of the finale of a long winter Western art show season in Tucson and for returning artist Darcie Peet, it is one last chance to see artist and collector friends before they disperse to different destinations as the Arizona summer approaches. “Thus, I’m celebrating Settlers West's Summer Show with a subject from ‘mountain cool’ country,” she says of her alpine landscape. “I stumbled upon this lower valley setting by accident and immediately stopped to take in the sweeping rows and batches of color. Edging ranchland fields just north of Silverthorne, Colorado, and at the base of the jagged Gore range still laden in late spring snow, broad, foothill, late-day shadows set-off the happy and sun-struck wild iris strewn everywhere…an upbeat sign of a bountiful wildflower season to come with all kinds of painting inspiration.”
Denis Milhomme, Awakening, oil, 16 x 24 in.
Also a relative newcomer to the show, Rachel Brownlee will be showing her dramatic charcoal piece Tempest depicting a horse and rider emerging from darkness into full light. “It is an image at the beginning of a story, containing tension and anticipating confrontation,” she says. “I want my viewers to feel involved with a story for which they will have to write the ending themselves.”
Kenny McKenna, Happy Hour, oil, 24 x 18 in.
“In today’s modern, fast-paced society it’s easier than ever to overlook the importance of experiencing fine art as it is meant to be experienced—by standing in front of it, enjoying and absorbing it,” says Salkowski. “While the time we spend in the gallery arranging and cultivating a collection like we have at our Summer Show pales in comparison to the efforts of our artists, I believe witnessing the exhibition at the opening reception reaffirms the importance and value that fine art adds to our lives. The excitement of meeting and brushing elbows with the creators of the paintings and sculpture we have on display only adds to the experience, as does our lively purchase draw at the end of the evening.” —
Powered by Froala Editor
