Showing posts with label Michael Baum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Baum. Show all posts

Father's Day: It's Art not Electronics

"A Quick Cup O' Joe"
by Paul Sheldon
giclee on canvas 19" x 13.5"


I’ve been thinking about Father’s Day, which is on June 19. I know most men would love to have an iPAD, but that would be so expected (or wished for). This year, why not do the unexpected and purchase some artwork for your husband/dad? Men enjoy seeing something attractive on their wall, and a gift of a painting can be enjoyed by the whole family.  Here at Wilde Meyer Gallery and at our online shop, ColoresAz.com, there are many selections, from giclee prints to original oils.

I definitely don’t want to be sexist about some recommendations, but since it’s for Father’s Day, I’ll go for the more “masculine” works. If your gift recipient likes cowboy art with a contemporary flair, check out prints by Thom Ross, such as “Running Gunmen,” or “The Clanton Gang Crossing Allen Street.”
"The Clanton Gang Crossing Allen Street"
by Thom Ross
Giclee on canvas 18" x 18"


Paul Sheldon also paints “manly” style, and offers several prints of his colorful cowboy work including “A Quick Cup o’ Joe,” (as seen at the top of the post) or a beautifully rendered painting of three horses called “Breakfast Bunch.”  If your guy likes cars better than horses, Paul also does a great painting called “Flatbed Ford.”
"Flatbed Ford"
by Paul Sheldon
giclee on canvas 16" x 27"

And, there are several other Wilde Meyer artists who find cars a favorite subject . . . 

Bill Colt uses mixed media on canvas to depict colorful images of old power cars, such as this one, called “Desert Caddy.” His painting “Roadmaster,” takes us back to a time when big grillwork was all the rage – that might evoke some fond memories for your Dad!

"Roadmaster"
by Bill Colt
mixed media on canvas 24" x 48"
Michael Baum is another artist who favors Western imagery, and his paintings depict  small mining towns and isolated ranches as well as urban street scenes. Some of Michael's paintings are lighthearted and playful, such as this giclee print on canvas called “Hide N’ Seek.” Others express the loneliness and solitude of the Western landscape.
"Sunrise on an Arizona Backroad"
by Michael Baum
oil on canvas panel in frame  16.5" x 19.5"


A vintage car also appears in Stephen Morath’s high color serigraph entitled “Arizona Noche.” It’s a fantasy road trip in the southwest, where all the fun themes of the desert come together.

"Arizona Noche"
by Stephen Morath
serigraph print on paper 25" x 31"

Women artists paint cars, too! Connie Townsend’s beefy cars are usually on a wild ride, and, as in “Beagle Scout”, they are driven by some crazy dogs.

"Beagle Scout"
by Connie Townsend
oil on canvas 30" x 30"

Brian Boner’s huge oil called “Tractor 1707” would be great for a guy who has a big wall space and likes looking at cool farm machinery.
"Tractor 1707"
by Brian Boner
oil on canvas 65" x 68"


Well, actually, I think I have been sexist in my suggestions! But since you know your Father’s Day guy the best, just go back to the Wilde Meyer Gallery website and check out the other artists’ work to find the one that he’ll like.

Nature's Visual Poetry

Wilde Meyer’s current show at its Tucson Gallery is entitled “Nature’s Visual Poetry.” This group show features six of the gallery’s artists, each of whom has a unique interpretation of nature’s forms and landscapes.

Four of the artists paint en plein air using settings in Wyoming, New Mexico and Arizona for their inspiration. The mood they felt while capturing the scene affects each painting. For example, Michael Baum expresses the solitude of the Western landscape at early dusk in “Desert Evening.” Everything is soft in the golden twilight, but the place seems far, far away.
Michael Baum  "Desert Evening" oil on panel 22" x 25.5"


Wildflowers ascend toward distant, mysterious mountains in “Outside of Taos,” Robert Anderson’s dreamlike landscape. Using thick paint and neutral tones, he creates a mood that’s calming, yet thought-provoking. An excellent craftsman, Robert made the frame for "Outside of Taos" himself and divided the scene in three parts as a triptych, which I think makes it very interesting.
Robert Anderson "Outside of Taos, NM" oil on panel  13" x 19.75"


In Judith d’Agostino’s “Lakeside” painting, the weather is changing, and so is the mood.  The sun-kissed orange mountains and fluffy white clouds will soon be overtaken by an ominous black cloud, already casting a dark shadow on the trees. It’s a powerful scene.
Judith D'Agotstino "Lakeside" oil on panel 29.5"x53.5"


Alix Stefan paintings are journeys into the Sonoran desert. She pictures it as a paradise, abundant with ocotillo, saguaro or organ pipe cactus that rise above colorful fields of flowers, prickly pear and other native plants. In “I Love the Rain,” the subdued color palette and beautiful rendering of the sky make me feel as if I can smell the wet desert scents.
Alix Stefan "I love the Rain" acrylic on canvas  26"x32"


The other two artists choose animal subjects to express their love of nature.

Sarah Webber’s painterly portraits of animals conveys their particular personalities  – as they appear to her. According to Sarah, whether it’s “the color of a nose, the spark in the eyes, the thickness of fur or the curve of an ear, there has to be one thing I wish to say with my paint that will reach out and touch the viewer.” You can certainly see her intentions in the painting of the rabbit below, entitled “Secret Bunny.”
Sarah Webber "Secret Bunny"  19"x17" oil on canvas


As an artist and lifelong horse trainer, Chaille Trevor’s equine paintings are unique in the intimacy and sensitivity. She depicts various aspects of horses’ personalities, from the gentleness of how they groom each other to the sheer power, spirit and grace of a horse in movement. The two horses in this painting seem to be communicating, their heads titled slightly inward and their bodies trotting in unison.
Chaille Trevor  "Kissed by the Sun"  oil on canvas  36" x 48"
If you happened to miss any of the shows, send us an email and we can get you more images of available works by featured artists.

I hope everyone is ready to spoil mom on Mother's Day on May 8th. If not, we'll throw out a few ideas so check back with us soon!