SLOPOKE 2024 | September 27-29, 2024 | Solvang, CA

Many Interpretations

The annual SLOPOKE art show returns to Flag Is Up Farms to showcase more unique depictions of the West.

By Alyssa M. Tidwell

A juried art show limited to just 30 to 35 artists, the 14th annual SLOPOKE Art Exhibit showcases a variety of depictions of the American West in a wide range of mediums from paintings and drawings to sculpture, photography and more. For the eighth year in a row, SLOPOKEwill be held at Flag Is Up Farms, the famous equestrian ranch of internationally renowned horse trainer Monty Roberts, in Solvang, California.

Josh Louchheim, Guardian of the Valley, oil on canvas, 24 x 18 in. The paintings of participating artist Josh Louchheim are a combination of the natural world and the world within his imagination. The artist considers himself a landscapist, focusing on his Sonoran Desert home. “Growing up in the desert has provided me with so much inspiration, which I try to depict in my paintings. Though I paint the landscape and mountains surrounding the Phoenix Valley, I do so with a lot of creative liberty, incorporating my internal image of my surroundings into my work.”

Kasia Kaznocha, Midnight Sun, acrylic and gold leaf on canvas, 36 x 48 in.

Lisa Skelly is a soft pastel artist who is deeply inspired by the beauty of nature. Through her paintings, she captures the essence of the natural world, with a particular focus on seascapes, landscapes, waves, skies and clouds. Drawing on her lifelong love of nature, her work reflects her passion for the outdoors and her deep appreciation for the power and beauty of the natural world. By using soft pastels, she is able to convey the fluidity and movement of waves, the depth and texture of landscapes, and the ever-changing drama of the sky. One of her pastels in the upcoming show, In Edgar’s Footsteps, depicts a horseback rider moving steadily up a mountain with a packhorse trailing close behind.

Shannon Patterson, I think I lost a button, bronze, ed. 1 of 10, 13 x 13 x 17½ in.

Kasia Kaznocha, The Great Escape, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 48 in.

Helle Urban, Early Frontiersman, oil, 10 x 8 in.

Polish artist Kasia Kaznocha, who now lives in Los Angeles, combines her passions for art, horses and horse riding. Working primarily with acrylic on canvas, she often combines paint with golden and silver leaves, which introduces an illusion of space in her artwork. “Like every year, I can’t wait for the SLOPOKEart festival,” she says. “This unique show, bringing together great artists, has a unique atmosphere. This year, in addition to portraits of horses, I will also present portraits of longhorns. Both horses and majestic longhorns are, for me, a [great] excuse to talk about our emotions. I will also continue the story of travel in my paintings, as our life is a constant journey also into ourselves.

Shannon Patterson, I don’t think so Scooter, bronze, ed. 2 of 10, 8 x 9 x 10 in., 15½ in. at base (19 in. with rope)

“There are so many stories that never get told in sculpture; I hope to tell those stories,” says sculptor Shannon Patterson.She finds inspiration in the old and new tales of the everyday lives of working ranch folk. “As we all know, not everything in ranch life is funny when it happens. But as the story gets retold these folks find the humor in it. [As a sculptor], I hope that I can capture that one second that makes people want to know the story!”

Pat Roberts, Miss Tessie, bronze, ed. of 35, 18½ x 22 x 6 in.

Helle Urban brings a sepia-toned portrait of an early frontiersman to this year’s SLOPOKE show. “My inspiration to create beautiful art is to bring joy to others. I am blessed to have been an artist for over 40 years, [and] painting is my true passion,” says the artist, whose favorite subjects include rustic cowboys, children, animals and rural scenery. “I like paintings to tell a story, to draw the viewer in. I try to emphasize a softness in my brushwork to create a strikingly life-like portrait. An eloquent portrayal of my subject’s eyes is very important.”

Kasia Kaznocha, Journey, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 48 in.

Pat Roberts creates realistic depictions of the equine form in her bronze sculptures. “Life as an accomplished horsewoman, breeding, training and showing thoroughbred horses has provided me thorough knowledge of the frame and musculature of a horse, which translates into my equine sculpture,” says Roberts. “My sculptures of horses and other animals, and even humans, are all about capturing movement in a moment of time. Even when the subject is standing still, it still must move in the eye of the beholder”

The featured artist and awards jurist for SLOPOKE 2024 is esteemed Western and wildlife artist Ezra Tucker. A selection of artwork from legacy cowboy artist Fred Oldfield, who painted until he was 99 years old, will be showcased as well.