Manitou Galleries | October 2-11, 2026 Santa Fe, NM

Land and Sky

By Alyssa M. Tidwell

William Haskell is a prominent figure in the Western art genre, known for his modern depictions of the American West and his masterful drybrush technique. His style is distinct and wholly his own, and the abstracted forms of clouds, canyons, cacti and mountains in his paintings feel as though they have a real sense of weight and energy to them. Collectors instantly know when they’re looking at a Haskell painting.

Where the Desert Keeps Its Secrets, acrylic, 40 x 30 in.

This fall, Manitou Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico, will be hosting a solo show featuring new works by Haskell, titled Sacred Land, Endless Sky, honoring both the legacy he has built thus far, as well as exploring the ways in which the artist continues to grow.

“I continue to find inspiration in the shapes of the desert, from the geometric erosion to the amazing array of plants that grow and thrive in such a harsh environment,” Haskell says. “I find the shapes of clouds particularly fascinating, like floating sculptures in the sky. And then there’s the colors of the earth and sky, especially after a monsoon—truly a sight to behold. I find much of this inspiration driving in the desert, absorbing what I see.”

Moon Over the Motor Court, acrylic, 30 x 22 in.

Among the new paintings in the upcoming exhibition is Moon Over the Motor Court, a nocturne of a teepee and vintage car in the desert, featuring complementary colors in deep blues, burnt oranges and turquoise. Just visible inside the teepee is an old 1950s-style television set showing a cowboy on horseback.

Where the Coyotes Sing, acrylic, 24 x 18 in.

“One of my road trips brought me to the Wigwam in Holbrook, Arizona, which became the subject for [this] painting,” he says of the piece. “Subjects like that bring back so many memories and experiences from my childhood, and that is part of the inspiration. From the vintage cars to the TV, they definitely bring back thoughts of a simpler time and place. Color has always played a large role in my work. I really enjoy pairing a hot color, like a red/orange with a cool blue/teal; I find the way they interact really fascinating. Although I spent many years in art classes I never took a color theory class so I approach the color range that I use from an instinctual place. I find that for myself this approach gives my work a more unique presence.”

Other works—all of which are imbued with deep color and swirling, abstracted forms—include Threshold of the Tempest, Where the Coyotes Sing, The Geometry of Faith and Where the Desert Keeps Its Secrets.