For his new exhibition at Altamira Fine Art, Rocky Hawkins revisits one of his favorite subjects—the horse and rider. However, for the aptly show titled They Have Horses, Hawkins creates works with a “twist.”
“My paintings usually fill the whole canvas but, in this series, I have painted the subject isolated from the background,” Hawkins explains. “In other words, a vignette. The background color is consistent with each piece creating an engaging continuity. It’s an exciting new perspective that I am liking, along with painting the horse and rider in a unique, transformative style.”
Desperado Dance, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 60 in.
He continues, “The realization that such an exquisite animal can be taught to pair with humans is an extraordinary thing! It’s interesting that this concept and subject can result in such a variety of paintings.”
Jason Williams, owner of Altamira Fine Art, expounds by noting that Hawkins’ vignettes aren’t about narrative in a traditional sense, “they’re about motion, memory and presence. By isolating the rider within his signature bursts of color and gesture, Rocky invites the viewer to experience the West not as a place, but as a feeling.”
Under Desert Skies, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 48 in.
Hawkins garners his inspiration from his everyday surroundings living and working on a historic ranch in southwest Montana. “The history here is deep and colorful…,” he says, “and I have surrounded myself with old buildings and artifacts from the 1800s. It allows me to live in my own invented world from the past which excites my creativity.”
As for his process, Hawkins begins by preparing a large number of canvases, so he doesn’t have to stop the flow of painting. “It’s impossible to know how many pieces I will end up with because I lose myself in the creative process and just paint,” he shares. “I strive to paint each piece better than the last.”
Sun Dogs, acrylic on canvas, 40 x 30 in.
We see colorful, moving pieces like Desperado Dance, portraying somewhat of a rogue character with juxtaposed animation and playfulness. “He and his horse almost appear to be dancing!” Says Hawkins. “This attribute just seemed to evolve into what is unmistakable.”
Another piece, Sun Dogs,shows a group of riders in heavily abstracted, bold color. “When I look at this painting I see ‘the power of the pack’, or ‘strength in numbers,’ says Hawkins. “They all have a continuity in color and position as if these characters and their horses seem to belong together.”
Air on Fire, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 60 in.
Lastly, we see Air on Fire, illustrating Hawkins’ skills as an action painter, a process he starts with gestural brushstrokes. “I freely add abstract shapes and strokes without overthinking, and that are absent of any rules,” he says. “Air On Fire exhibits some very interesting brushstrokes and gestures around the figure, [that] remind me of fire in the air.”
To experience the show in its entirety, visit Altamira Fine Art in Scottsdale, Arizona, from March 3 to 14. A reception will be held March 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. —
Altamira Fine Art 7038 E. Main Street » Scottsdale, AZ, 85251 » (480) 949-1256 » www.altamiraart.com
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