Artist David Kammerzell is a former commercial artist that admires and appreciates commercial art. His own work, in many ways, emulates the commercial art process, “namely by trying to enhance, glorify and otherwise jazz up whatever image I’m working with,” the artist says. For his solo show, Golden Hour,at Diehl Gallery in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Kammerzell presents a new body of work that highlights these elements, with a focus on Western figures and portraits in golden-hour settings.
26 & Beyond, oil on canvas, 40 x 40 in.“With wit, color and remarkable technical mastery, Kammerzell transforms the iconography of the American West through a distinctly cinematic lens, where memory and myth blur, and nostalgia is reimagined with a contemporary edge,” says Mariam Diehl, owner of Diehl Gallery. “His cowboys exist somewhere between Hollywood and history, inviting us into a world shaped by both imagination and experience. This exhibition brings together a body of work that is playful, evocative and deeply resonant—both personal in vision and universal in appeal.”
Bettie, oil on canvas, 36 x 26 in.
Kammerzell admits that he’s always looking to evolve his work, but more so with his techniques rather than themes, concepts or content—always striving to better his skills. “I usually start off with a historical photo, but then the glorification process begins, and I will go to great lengths to try and beautify or glamorize that photo,” the artist explains. “Often, I will swap out faces for someone more attractive, or something with better lighting. I am also interested in that odd intersection of historical Western imagery and the Hollywood versions.”
For pieces such as J. Hawkins, Co. D, the artist works in impressive detail that mixes and then fades into a colorful, floral background. “James Hawkins was a real Texas Ranger and enlisted in the Company D of the Rangers in 1874,” Kammerzell explains. “His confident gaze and well-armed demeanor inspired me to paint this portrait. Working from a historic vintage photo, I did very little retouching of his appearance, as not much was needed. I thought the combination of his rough and ready persona with the worlds-away Japanese cherry blossom pattern would make for an unexpected and interesting statement.”
J. Hawkins, Co. D, oil on panel, 32 x 32 in.
In 26 & Beyond, we see a cowgirl on a rearing horse, set against an awe-inspiring skyscape. “Again, I started with a photo of a historical cowgirl…but, as I was not satisfied with her facial expression, I used the likeness of a silent screen actress for her face,” Kammerzell says. “As I mentioned, I’m interested in that intersection of the ‘real West’ and the ‘Hollywood West.’ I’m literally mashing those two ideas together here. My rider is glancing back at 2025 as she takes off boldly into 2026. There’s also a flock of crows populating this scene. Crows traditionally have many symbolic meanings but are often portrayed as the onset of new beginnings. This piece is directly leaning into the show’s golden hour theme, with its early morning light.”
Lastly, we have NC, depicting illustrator and artist N.C. Wyeth, one of Kammerzell’s heroes. “N.C. was an extremely talented and successful illustrator from the early 1900s,” the artist notes. “In the winter of 2024, I had the opportunity to see Portrait of Adele Bloch Bauer by another one of my artistic heroes, Gustav Klimt. I was enthralled with the gold leaf work in that piece. Ever since, I’ve wanted to bring that element into my own work. Here, I was able to, and in a very humble way, pay homage to those two great masters.”
NC, oil and imitation gold leaf on panel, 10 x 8 in.
Head to Diehl Gallery in Jackson Hole to view around 10 new works by Kammerzell. The show opens with an artist reception on July 16, from 5 to 8 p.m., and hangs through August 22. —
Diehl Gallery 30 S. King Street » Jackson Hole, WY 83001 » (307) 733-0905 » www.diehlgallery.com
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