For artist Doyle Hostetler, mindset is key. “If I push too hard or think too much, it doesn’t flow. Likewise, comfort kills the creator,” the artist notes. “There’s a quiet sweet spot with a touch of pain that I thrive in.”
For his upcoming show Dichotomy, at Gallery Wild, the artist features around 18 new wildlife portraits. Subjects are in “striking clarity against intentionally blurred, often void backgrounds,” says gallery owner Carrie Wild.
Standing Tall, oil on canvas, 60 x 40 in.
She continues, “This contrast emphasizes the raw power and presence of animals such as big cats and North American hoofed creatures. Employing a limited palette, Hostetler captures the essence of his subjects, allowing their untamed beauty to command attention. His technique not only highlights the individuality of each animal, but also invites viewers to contemplate the delicate balance between wildlife and their diminishing habitats.”
Winter Rhapsody, oil on canvas, 40 x 60 in.
For this show, Hostetler adds that he’s pushing “dichotomy” even further, admitting that his most important technique is freedom in brushwork. “I’m always looking for new ways to fool the eye in seeing something without painting every detail,” he says. “Impulse is [also] paramount. I trust my eyes to connect with imagery, and I find energy as new ideas come. The contrast is between my cool toned, limited backgrounds and the detailed, warm tones of my subject matter. The ‘dichotomy’ in my work is something I continually try to push and exploit.”
A theme that he explores especially in his wolf pieces, is communication. “I’ve enjoyed portraying [this],” he says of pieces like Winter Rhapsody, depicting three wolves in profile, howling in unison. “Seeing them for the pure honesty they are is something I strive for. They are locals at our property in North Idaho, and are amazing to see in the wild.”
Falling Skies, oil on canvas, 60 x 32 in.
Additional wolf pieces in the show include Brothers in Arms, showing two wolves cuddled together, and The Grey, with a lone wolf curled in a sleeping position yet its eyes are open, ready for anything.
Other wildlife, as in the case of a moose in Standing Tall,enters Hostetler’s work as well. “[There’s] grand majesty in watching a moose in the wild go about his business; humble in existence yet having to fight for it every day,” says the artist. “Moose are quite frequent in North Idaho, and seeing them never gets old.”
The Grey, oil on canvas, 48 x 48 in.
An exploration in composition is found in Falling Skies, a vertical piece depicting a bird in flight in the upper-right corner, set against a misty background, an element the artist doesn’t normally include. “In this case, [the background] is Jackson Lake. I was watching nesting osprey near the Clark Fork River in Montana while flyfishing…,” adds Hostetler.
Overall, the artist hopes that the show of new work translates his honesty, the confidence in craft and his passion for wildlife. Dichotomy at Gallery Wild’s Jackson Hole, Wyoming, location opens for a reception on June 5 from 5 to 8 p.m., and runs through June 15. —
Gallery Wild 80 W. Broadway » Jackson Hole, WY 83001 » (307) 203-2322 » www.gallerywild.com
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