Ray Tigerman is a palette knife painter, with texture at the heart of his work. He loves building paint, scraping it back and allowing each mark to remain visible. “This process gives the work energy and keeps it from feeling overly polished or predictable,” the artist notes.
Ray Tigerman, The Quiet Scouts, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 48 in.
Tigerman’s inspiration comes from the American Southwest and from the people, animals and landscapes that carry its history and spirit. “I am drawn to solitary figures, horses, wildlife and open country—subjects that suggest strength, resilience and a story beyond what is immediately seen,” he says. “I often leave faces partially obscured or undefined, creating mystery and allowing viewers to bring their own experiences to the painting.”
Ray Tigerman, Watcher of the Red Earth, acrylic on canvas, 48 x 36 in.
Light, color and mood are equally important to Tigerman. He combines muted earth tones with bold, saturated color and strong areas of shadow to create atmosphere. “I want viewers to feel the heat, cold, dust, mist, silence and distance of the West,” he says.
Ray Tigerman, Born of Courage, acrylic on canvas, 55 x 75 in.
That same sense of mystery and resilience runs through Tigerman’s debut novel A Knight on Wolf Island, published by River Grove Books. The supernatural survival-horror story is another way of exploring the world that has shaped his art.
Find Tigerman’s work at Victory Contemporary in Santa Fe during Santa Fe Indian Market, August 15 to 16, and Bella Fine Goods in Sun Valley, Idaho, from September 4 to 5.
Want to See More?
raytigermanstudios@gmail.com
www.raytigerman.com
www.raytigermanbooks.com
IG: raytigerman
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