Fall Color

Collectorʼs Focus: Views of Autumn

By Michael Clawson and Audrey Eagerton

When painters first started visiting Taos, New Mexico, in the final years of the 19th century, and then in the opening years of the 20th century, almost all were struck by the drastic shifts in the seasons of the Southwest, from hot, dry summers to frigid high-desert winters. But it was the season of autumn that appeared most frequently in their works, including those by Victor Higgins, Ernest L. Blumenschein, E. Martin Hennings and Oscar E. Berninghaus.

Oscar E. Berninghaus (1874-1952), In the High Aspens, oil on canvas, 25¼ x 30 in.

In Gordon Sanders’ book Oscar E. Berninghaus, Taos, New Mexico: Master Painter of American Indians and the Frontier West, the author ponders what gave the artist’s works that special appeal and lays some of the credit within autumn itself. “There was the magic of Taos—the towering Sangre de Cristo mountains, the Taos Pueblo and its Indians, and the village of Taos itself—old, romantic and steeped in history. There was the blue sky, and deep canyons with rivers of sparkling water,” Sanders writes. “In the fall, the aspen trees turned yellow and gold, and to walk under them was like being in a great cathedral of stained-glass windows. When the breezes stirred, the leaves would tumble to the forest floor like diadems of gold. Taos was indeed a painter’s paradise, and Oscar Berninghaus loved it all. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of a Berninghaus painting is the portrayal of truth. He saw the great landscapes as a statement of unlimited freedom—a statement of nature, and he painted them that way—simply and freely.”

E. Martin Hennings (1886-1956), Indians Crossing a Stream, Taos, New Mexico, oil on canvas on board, 14 x 14 in.

Fall color has been a subject in countless artists’ works over the last two centuries, from Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Hill to Robert Moore and Josh Elliott. Although they arrive at their subjects from different places—both geographically and artistically—artists are drawn to autumn for many reasons: the warmth and brightness of the light that reflects off the lighter-colored leaves, the literal and metaphorical change from one season to another, the piles of leaves that add interesting design choices to forest floors and mountain meadows, and even behavioral shifts with the animal life that is preparing for the coming winter. Consider another attribute: the fleeting nature of autumn, which is a transitional period between summer and winter. One day the leaves are yellow, and (seemingly) the next they’re gone. Blink and you miss it. But paintings capture the scene and the mood long after the leaves have fallen.

As you explore Western art this season, consider collecting a piece of autumn that can hang on your wall no matter what season it is outside.

“Humanity has divided the world into four seasons, but what is most beautiful is actually the evolving of one season into the other,” says Dale Terbush, an artist that captures the landscape from his own imagination, which flows from his sense of spirit and self.

Emil Bisttram (1895-1976), Autumn Symphony, oil on canvas, 27 x 36 in.

“Autumn doesn’t just happen—like all the other seasons it evolves. It starts quietly when it shows us the first hints of gold and oranges and reds blooming from what was once the deepest of greens, it is at that moment we know our world is changing again. Autumn has come to whisper to us that she will be here ‘soon,’” Terbush explains. “That is why I don’t paint pictures from photographs. My whole life I have tried to paint feelings, emotions, all of this through color on fabric. But in the end, try as I might, I am humbled for I am but a poor imitation of God’s creations, all of this in the circle of life.”

Artists Eunika Rogers, Matthew Sievers and Sean Diediker are represented by Blue Rain Gallery and capture the magic of the season. “Perhaps it is the golden leaves that glisten in the sun like glitter, or the crisp air and lengthening shadows that remind us how quickly time passes. The paintings I have selected…each capture this feeling through a distinctive artistic lens,” says Leah Garcia, the gallery’s marketing director. “Their work reveals autumn as more than a season of brilliant color; it is a moment of transformation, reflection and quiet beauty. Whether expressed through light, atmosphere, color or composition, each painting offers an invitation to pause and reconnect with a familiar place, memory or emotion.”

Garcia adds, “The most meaningful painting is often the one that transports you—one that recalls a treasured memory, creates a sense of wonder or allows you to experience the season in an entirely new way. Ultimately, choose a work that you will enjoy living with throughout every season.”

Top: Dale Terbush, A Special Moment in Time, acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20 in.; Dale Terbush, just believe, acrylic on canvas, 30 x 30 in. Bottom: Dale Terbush, When Light Ignites Its Colors, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36 in.; Legacy Gallery, Cheerful in the Morning, oil, 58 x 80 in., by Douglas Aagard.

Autumn has a way of transforming the Western landscape into one of nature’s most breathtaking works of art. The golden aspens, crisp mountain air and changing light create an atmosphere that is both vibrant and reflective, making it one of the most inspiring seasons for artists.

At Legacy Gallery, painters capture not only the rich colors of fall but also the feeling of the season—its quiet beauty, fleeting moments and timeless connection to the land, whether it’s a mountain valley glowing with autumn foliage, wildlife preparing for winter or the warm light of a late afternoon, these works invite collectors to experience the West at one of its most spectacular times of year. “When collecting autumn landscapes, choose the painting that transports you into the scene and evokes a personal memory or emotion,” says Cyndi Hall, general manager of Legacy Gallery. “The finest works are those that continue to draw you in, offering a sense of peace, wonder and discovery every time you see them.”

Top: Blue Rain Gallery, Aspen Lines, oil on panel, 48 x 48 in., by Matthew Sievers. Blue Rain Gallery, Autumn Rider, oil on canvas, 48 x 48 in., by Sean Diediker. Bottom: Blue Rain Gallery, Golden Hour, natural foraged clay on canvas, 36 x 72 in., by Eunika Rogers.

Southwest Gallery recommends that when purchasing an autumn landscape, to buy what you love. Collectors often ask whether they should choose a painting based on the artist, the investment potential or what is currently popular. While those factors may have their place, the artwork that brings the greatest satification is the piece that speaks to you every time you see it.

Top: Legacy Gallery, Echoing Light, oil, 40 x 40 in., by Brad Teare. Legacy Gallery, Room to Roam, oil, 18 x 24 in., by G. Russell Case. Bottom: Southwest Gallery, Lancaster Pond November, oil on canvas, 30 x 40 in., by Don Sahli. Southwest Gallery, Old Autumn Oaks, oil on canvas, 24 x 36 in, by Kent Wallis.

Autumn landscapes create warmth and comfort within a home. The rich golds, reds, oranges and even deep greens naturally draw the eye and create an inviting atmosphere no matter the season. Whether you are captivated by Kent Wallis’ luminous impressionism, Don Sahli’s timeless landscapes or Jun Hao’s realistic, imagined worlds, choose the painting that creates an emotional propose for you. The right painting becomes part of your daily life, growing more meaningful over time.

The Ranch at Taos Gallery continues to document the heightened magic of Taos and New Mexico in Autumn. Artist Daniel Brown paints landscapes that reflect his lived experience and memory capturing the vibrant yellows and the deep greens that are about to fall and fade in the coming weeks.

The Ranch at Taos, Aspen Mesa, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 36 in., by Daniel Brown. The Ranch at Taos, Ghost Ranch Sunlight, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 48 in., by Daniel Brown.

“I discovered night flying after getting my pilot’s license. Gazing down at…landscapes of my Pioneer Valley after sunset, I found an engaging fairyland world,” says Brown. “Surprised and encouraged, I began painting this present series of images which reflect the combination of vivid colors, clouds and sky. Sometime during this past year, I realized I had ‘come home’ to my creative roots after traveling a long circular route. Subject matter comes from a variety of inspirations, ranging from simple imagination to actual scenes viewed in the course of the day.”

Southwest Gallery, On the Path to Peace, oil on canvas, 48 x 60 in., by Jun Hao.

Brown’s paintings take on a unique perspective, allowing viewers to peer out the side of the plane with artist and take in the awe Autumn so easily inspires. —