For Caleb Meyer, his sweeping Western landscapes and horizon line paintings have a constant theme: the light and feeling of a time and place. Meyer’s aptly titled show at Gallery Wild, In the Moment,is a continuation of this theme embodied in a collection of around 20 new paintings.
Glow Up, oil on canvas, 24 x 24 in.
“There’s something about Caleb Meyer’s work that just pulls you in,” says gallery owner Carrie Wild. “With bold palette knife strokes and thick oil paint, he brings the big skies and open spaces of the West right into the room. Meyer’s work not only portrays the physical landscape but also encapsulates the essence of Western outdoor culture, reflecting a deep reverence for the wild and untamed. This collection is a testament to his ability to translate the soul of the American West onto canvas, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into its enduring allure.”
A Light Together, oil on canvas, 12 x 36 in.
Because of his desire to communicate a “sense of place,” Meyer likes to create paintings that feel like they belong in the area where they are showing. This is the case for the Gallery Wild show, illustrated in pieces like Glow Up, featuring the peak of Sleeping Indian Mountain in Jackson Hole.
“There is so much inspiration in Jackson and the surrounding parks,” Meyer notes. “It is an endless pursuit of beauty. The real challenge is trying to find a unique way to express it.” As for Glow Up, he shares, “I love painting the iconic Sleeping Indian. It’s a really cool mountain that resonates with people and also gives a strong sense of place. This was a super fun challenge trying to create that backlit glow of the storm.”
In a Moment, oil on canvas, 40 x 40 in.
Meyer also admits that he’s been endeavoring towards a similar aesthetic and technique for almost 20 years. “I have always loved thick paint and texture,” he says. “I paint exclusively with palette knives and trowels, so I think that creates some cool effects. I also really enjoy trying to capture light. Whether it’s a neon sign or a campfire, I like playing with value and intensity to make something pop.”
He continues, “I would like to think that I’m getting better at my pursuit every day. But it’s easy to hit plateaus. When I feel like I’m stuck, I try to create something just a little outside of my comfort zone. Sometimes that’s just trying a composition that seems different or attempting a new subject altogether.”
Summer Fresh, oil on canvas, 60 x 48 in.
For another show highlight, A Light Together, we see the artist’s expertise in his depiction of light. “The inspiration [for this] comes from a sunset after a gallery show opening last summer,” Meyer says. “There is always a sense of joy after an opening—a feeling of accomplishment and relief. Driving home, the sky just lit up and it was a cool reminder of God’s sovereignty and peace.”
Join Meyer and Gallery Wild in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for a celebration of light and stunning landscape views. An artist reception will open the show on July 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. Paintings will hang through July 27. —
Gallery Wild 80 W. Broadway » Jackson Hole, WY 83001 » (307) 203-2322 » www.gallerywild.com
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