‘Tis the season for small works exhibitions, which allow collectors to purchase pieces by prominent artists at more affordable price points. In that spirit, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum will host its 19th annual Small Works, Great Wondersart sale on November 8. The sale will feature paintings and sculpture by more than 130 of the nation’s finest contemporary Western artists, among them William Acheff, Joseph Bohler, Glenn Dean, Josh Elliott, Walt Gonske, Z.S. Liang, Walter T. Matia, Paul Moore, John Moyers, Terri Kelly Moyers, Sandy Scott, Daniel Smith, Sonya Terpening and Curt Walters, to name a few.
Alice Leese, Fat Cow in Green Grass, oil on panel, 11 x 14 in.
Alice Leese’ Fat Cows in Green Grass, inspired by an exceptionally wet year on her Texas ranch, will be on offer in the fixed-draw sale. The 11-by-14-inch painting is quite a departure for the artist, whose largest studio work measured 6 feet by 30 feet, and whose typical canvases are 4 feet by 5 feet. “There is nothing better to a rancher than seeing green grass and fat cows,” says Leese. “It is sort of a sigh of relief that there will be no feeding and feed bills this year, and at weaning time the calves will be big and fat.” The hereford cows in the painting are descended from a herd her great-grandfather turned out on the Sand Ranch in 1912. “I like to paint these hereford cows because they are good looking and it is a breed that a lot of ranchers started out with,” Leese says. “They sort of give a sense of the traditions and legacy ranching families feel is important.
Marlin Rotach, Ridin’ Point, watercolor, 20 x 16 in.
Although Marlin Rotach is most comfortable painting on a larger scale, he enjoys the challenges that miniatures present. His 20-by-16-inch watercolor Ridin’ Point references the cowboy who rode at the front of a cattle herd during a trail drive. “The point rider’s job was to guide the herd, keeping the lead steer or bell cow on the right path, and to control speed and direction,” says Rotach. “In addition, he scouted the trail ahead looking for ease or complications of travel that could threaten either the herd’s health or progress.”
Jim Vogel, Swing Music I, oil on gesso panel, 12¼ x 10 in.
For smaller paintings, Don Weller tried to keep it bold and simple. The title of his watercolor Steeldust refers to an ancient bloodline deep in the history of most of today’s cutting horses and depicts one of these horses holding a cow. “That sport has been a passion of mine for almost 40 years,” says Weller. “I fancy this painting because it is focused on the very essence of the sport. Good cows in a practice pen. No hoopla. Just a cow, a man and a horse.”
“Small Works, Great Wondersis one of the most exciting events of the year,” says Susan Patterson, the museum’s curator of special exhibits. “The 2024 art sale will feature more than 240 works of art in a high-energy, festive atmosphere…It’s the luck of the draw, the thrill of the sale, and the opportunity to purchase ‘a new favorite’ and be able to take it home that very night. Being so close to the holidays, it’s a great way to kick off the season!”
Jim Vogel, Swing Music II, oil on gesso panel, 12¼ x 10 in.
Reservations are required for the sale and remain open until November 1, 2024. To register for the sale, visit swgw.nationalcowboymuseum.org. Proxy service is available for those who are unable to attend, and arrangements can be made in advance by contacting the museum. —
Small Works, Great Wonders
November 2-17, 2024
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
1700 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73111
(405) 478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org
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