Celebrate the Arts
by liz
My current artwork is comprised of thousands of pieces of hand-cut paper, and includes large-scale collage portraits and landscapes. The paper I use comes from abandoned farm houses and other forgotten dwellings. I collect materials as I explore this continent and return to my studio to turn ephemera into art.
by liz
“Golden Dusk” was inspired by my recent winter painting outings along the Cherry Creek at dusk and dawn. I was so inspired to see this golden light at the end of a winter day, reflecting its warm golden color on the water. The subtle blue color on the snow at this time of day was such an interesting visual contrast.
by tina
My aim is to further release the constraint of the buffalo within the coin creating tension between the fellow creature and the commodified object in this sculpture. The buffalo is expressing its continual desire and struggle for freedom. The placement of the buffalo on currency is a gesture by the US government to honour the legacy of the iconic species; it is a symbol of culture and capital.
by tina
“Twilight at Trail Ridge” depicts the view during the twilight hours along Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. While much of this scenic highway travels above treeline, this scene is near the 11,500 foot elevation where the park’s evergreen forests come to a halt, just before the road winds across the tundra’s vastness to its high point at the 12,183 foot elevation.
by tina
Early mornings at the Lake/Fishing Bridge area of Yellowstone can be quite tranquil.
by tina
This piece was inspired by the red and blue gear against the white horse. I love how the elements came together to represent so many pieces of American history. The horse, symbolic of the Old West but originally from Asia, is wearing a Spanish saddle and Crow designs stitched with Italian glass beads. The background “stars and stripes” were inspired by quilt patterns and use four-pointed stars, common in America before the the five-pointed style was introduced from Europe.
by tina
Life on a cattle drive was hard. Trying to keep the 1000 – 3000 cattle calm while facing Indian attacks, the fear of the stampede, crossing rivers like the Canadian, facing cattle rustler’s or just the elements of nature was grueling. One of the joys was gathering around the chuck wagon. Often while getting organized at sunrise, there was hilarity when one of wranglers raced through the camp. This time disastrous as one horseman caught the wagon wheel and went flying.
by tina
“The Fearless One” seeks to impress upon the viewer the athleticism, skill and above all, the courage that was needed by a Plains Indian warrior when galloping at full speed into conflict. By the day’s end, he hopes to have new tales of his bravery to share around the campfire.
by tina
No Matter where you are in Wyoming, the sky and the earth always seem to team up to dazzle us with amazing displays of colors, lights, and shadows. This one of them over Cody and the Big Horn Basin.
by tina
This is an imaginary encounter with Wyoming’s iconic Pronghorn. I tried to capture the bright sunlight as they dance across the prairies.
by tina
Sometimes everyday circumstances can reveal unexpected surprises. In this painting, a cowboy is enjoying the sight of two extremely nice buck deer emerging through the willows. If a camera was ready, the scene would be “Picture Perfect.”
by tina
I loved how the rising sun was hi-lighting the horizontal lines of the plateaus. And the peaceful feeling of the saddle band just soaking up that warm morning sunshine.
by tina
I wanted to make a picture that had excitement, mood, lightning and horses.
by tina
Each of us needs all the help we can get in life.
by tina
This painting was done on a beautiful day at the Two Dot Ranch.
by tina
The Twilight Trail at the Wiggins Fork of the Wind River in Wyoming is one of the greatest high country trails. It’s four miles long at 11,500 feet, and it heads out at Cougar Pass on the Southfork of the Shoshone River. To ride it is the experience of a lifetime.
by tina
The sun, stars, and the moon were sacred and very mysterious to Native Americans. The Plains Indians prayed to Father Sun and Mother Earth and made offerings in exchange for safety and health in daily life. The door of their lodges faced East to welcome the morning sun when it appeared and brought warmth and life to Mother Earth. They prayed to the sun as it disappeared on the horizon and wondered at the mystery of where the sun goes.
by tina
Sometimes the path of least resistance is in the river. This green, mossy trail will take horse and rider around the bend.
by tina
My inspiration comes from being in the field. Beyond that initial spark I try to create a mood or foster emotion that goes beyond a merely accurate depiction of a subject.
by tina
As I worked on this painting, a classic scene of everyday life during the earlier years of our country, I enjoyed creating thicker textures in the wheat stalks for more visual interest. Early to mid-1800s homesteading and farming is a subject I enjoy researching and depicting in my art.
by tina
Indians cut trails under the most difficult weather conditions, through wooded rocky mountains and around rough waters. Supplies not taken were cached in hidden canoes to be used on return trips. More dugouts were made when navigable rivers were discovered. With food scarce, portages took days and sometimes weeks.
by tina
The Plateau Falls in Yellowstone National Park is four serial plunges of 80 to 90 feet. The lower Cascades and area is one of Yellowstone’s most distant waterfalls accessed high on the two Ocean Plateau in the Thorofare region.
by tina
Lot Number: 78
By: Nicholas Coleman
$14,000
by tina
Using my skill with sculpture and patina, I have created contemporary 3-dimensional wall sculpture, the equivalent of a bronze painting. These rare bronze wall-mounted reliefs are One-Of-A-Kind works. Elk are one of my favorite subjects that I enjoy living with in my yard and see throughout the year.
by tina
It’s worth getting up early in Yellowstone National Park. On autumn mornings the air is still, the waters mirror the hills, and mists form and drift over the rivers and thermal areas.
by tina
Cowboys wrestle steers…and saddles. For some reason the leather straps always seem to be tangled up before a ride. Wrestling the saddle is just part of the job.
by tina
A crown jewel of our park system, the Lower Falls is a destination for me each time I visit Yellowstone.
by tina
A cattle rancher and pioneer of the cattle drive, Oliver Loving, along with fellow Texas Cattle King Charles Goodnight, developed one of the important cattle drive trails, the Goodnight-Loving Trail. His life, his untimely death, and the remarkable story of friendship, strength, and integrity, will always be a part of Western history and tradition.
by tina
Old mature bull moose are a formidable opponent; they are the hierarchy of the deer family and no wonder, as they can reach upwards of 1600 to 2000 pounds. For the last 25 years, I’ve traveled to Alaska, Canada and the North West in pursuit of monster bull moose. Usually, when big bulls come in contact with each other, they will size up their competition by waltzing in circles all the while lolling their heads back and forth, displaying their massive head gear. Most of the time this comedy of errors ends peaceably; but during the rut (breeding season) from mid September, mature bulls will clash, and an all out war will ensue. The sheer power and agility of these animals is nothing short of “awesome”. As the rut ends, mature bulls are wasted, they have fought off rival bulls and chased cows all over the mountainside. Now beat up and bedraggled, an old bull will become solitary, eating as much as he can, for the snow will soon fall and the cloak of winter will take its toll.
by tina
Numerous times I have driven by this barn while going cross-country skiing up Highlight Canyon out of Bozeman, Montana. This particular day it looked magical with the white barn against the lifting storm. I knew it would be a great subject for a winter painting.
by tina
“He’s forgotten! Others haven’t forgotten him, but rather, he has forgotten himself. Yes, it may take another to show him the way, but ultimately its’ he that must remember. Remember What? To remember that he can exercise the greatest of all gifts…..the ability to choose differently.”
by tina
Alison Krauss and Union Station Band wrote and performed a song titled “The Boy Who Wouldn’t Hoe Corn” I borrowed the title to describe an observation I have; western state population growth is accountable to special people, seeking a new and adventurous lifestyle. I think this painting represents the adventurous soul who is following his/her dreams.
by tina
Collage and transparencies are increasingly finding their way into my work. Juxtaposing one vision over another – today’s west over yesterday’s history over legend; my personal and experienced western reality over our culture’s often fictionalized and commercial driven narration – and then letting the individual iconographic elements of each painting duke it out for control….that is great fun!
by tina
Having now been to Yellowstone numerous times, I wanted to create a work that reflected the quintessential wildlife experience of the park. For that I chose Bison, half shrouded amidst the steaming fumaroles, and looking like they walked right out of the mists of time.
by tina
Nature can sure be dramatic and I love to paint it! The sun rays coming through the trees give light and life to a mother and her cub as they approach the runoff of water, giving proof to the words”spring has arrived.
by tina
Zuni Water Carrier was sculpted to reflect the beauty, dignity, and austerity of the historical southwestern United States. For me, the past is pure mystery and I am keen to imbue my subjects with a sense of humanity. I am always searching for aspects of character in my subjects, a nugget that rings true, to represent the people of our past.
by tina
For years I lived just north of South Park, one of the wide open valleys set inside the Colorado Rockies. There are plenty of old ranches there and very little has been gentrified. The cowboys are hrseback, just the way I like it!
by tina
Not to be confused with team roping, steer roping is only conducted in a few places. Today, the most famous are probably Cheyenne and Pendleton. The world championships are usually held at a different arena every year. This roper has jerked his slack and laid the trip on the steer.
by tina
In my youth, I spent many hours driving an old, rusty, pre-1946 John Deere tractor similar to the “Green Machine.” I liked the pop-pop-pop sounds it made when first started. I also loved the cooing sounds of mourning doves, so I created this painting combining a Deere and a dove.
by tina
Whether I’m painting, fishing or just exploring, autumn has always been my favorite time of year.
by tina
The sun gets hot in south-central Montana, and feathered fans are common in the regalia of the Annual Crow Fair Parade. The tightly-woven feathers of this Crow woman’s fan provide shade for her eyes, but still allow the rays to kiss her cheek as the imaginary sun behind her warms up the swirling skies.
by tina
When Buffalo Bill passed away in 1917 the world said goodbye to a great scout and showman. He was a legend, a myth, and entrepreneur who brought the west to life. This chess set reflects “King” Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley his “Queen”, Iron Tail and Sitting Bull are his “Bishops, with two of Cody’s favorite horses Charlie and Tucker that are his ”Knights”. Native American teepees from the “Rooks and the “Pawns” are portrayed by the buffalo often called by the Native American as Tatonka. Here in lies your own reenactment of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show in your home!
by tina
“The horse knows…he knows if you know…he also knows if you don’t know.” — Ray Hunt
by tina
Two cowboys riding cross-country are on their way to Melody Cow Camp in the early evening where the sun sets on the sage. Where? I won’t tell!
by tina
by tina
In the shelter of a crumbling wall a doe cuddles her baby fawn. Maybe there’s hope in this new life, or maybe these are just fossils amongst the ruins.
by tina
I waited nearly two hours after spotting his antlers to be rewarded with this image.
by tina
During the years of Treaties and negotiations between the Northern Cheyenne and Sioux in the 1800’s, many leaders such as Spotted Wolf, Red Cloud and other leaders visited Washington D.C. In doing so the government offered gifts of peace medals and beaver felt top hats. Such is the case in this sculpture. The Cheyenne is decked out with feathers in his hat and a beaded bear claw medallion.
by tina
by tina
Sometimes, when working cattle, supper will be a couple hours late, but riding by a wall of 220 million year old rock is like being “Dwarfed by Time.”
by tina
The American buffalo, or bison, brings to mind vivid pictures of the old Wild West. At one time over 60 million of them roamed North America but by 1890 only 500 were left. Civilized man had never witnessed a greater amassment of animals anywhere on earth, and their story almost ended with tragic extinction. The American bison is more than an animal to me; it’s an emotional manifesto that exemplifies my deep affinity for the West and its history. While creating “Bison Bison” I was under the influence of my subject’s strong shape. I attempted to combine simplicity and clarity into a quiet, uncomplicated sculptural statement.
by tina
Hot, sore, and dusty beats the hell out of an office job!
by tina
Like the live horses I use for reference, my “Glass Horses” works end up resonating “in the moment” with marks, scrapes, bucks, and dust…as well as soft, breathy, and wonderful vibrations from the years and miles spent along this trail as an artist.
by tina
“Salute to the Sun” was inspired by an elder at the Crow Fair, photographed by a friend. He was dressed in full regalia, beautiful beaded gloves, fringed jacket – but it was his face that I was particularly drawn to. The wisdom there was evident – and I would have loved to sit with him for an afternoon. Each of us needs all the help we can get in navigating this complex world. I had the sense that he had much to share.
by tina
While the title, “Pie for Dessert,” suggests a particular outcome, it isn’t a foregone conclusion that the mountain lion will succeed in making the magpie his snack. Thinking about the painting from the perspective of the magpie, one might imagine he’s a kind of adrenaline junkie, taunting the cougar only to fly away at the cougar’s slightest twitch.
by tina
I stumbled across this spot last year exploring the Cody area and fell in love. I wanted to capture that clear Wyoming light and the cheery yet tranquil mood of the day. It was a perfect moment of Cody in all its beauty.
by tina
The work shows the abundance of these moths that migrate from the plains in Kansas and Nebraska to the high mountain of Wyoming….where grizzly bears eat them!
by tina
I traveled the longest stretch of intact Route 66 last fall. This 1965 Chevy was quitely decomposing at Hackbarney, Arizona. People who know Chevys have nodded their heads and said, “Oh, a Bel-Air! Impalas have three tail lights.” I feel I’ve done my job well when folks can tell the species as well as the genus of a particular bit of vintage American engineering.
by tina
While visiting Yellowstone National Park last spring, we were thrilled to encounter this young grizzly bear family. The cubs entertained us with their antics, while I happily photographed from a safe distance.
by tina
In all my years around horses, I have watched how they interact with each other. There is order in who eats and drinks first. In this painting the horses have come to water after a long day on the trail. As they cool their feet and drink refreshing water, the right to water is established.