New hound dog painting hot off the easel!
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| Focused Resolve / 16x12 / oil on masonite |
In July, as we do every year since moving to Reno, my husband and I attended the Coeur d"Alene Auction. The catalog cover this year featured a delicate oil by Charles M. Russell called The Tenderfoot painted in 1897. Charles Russell was a real and rugged cowboy in addition to being a painter and sculptor. This piece engendered some spirited bidding and sold for $700,000.00 USD.
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| 2016 Auction Catalog and bidding paddle |
The center painting in this photo is Howard Terpening's Blackfeet Storyteller 1988. He is such a magnificent painter with enviable brushwork and is a master of lost edges.This one also sold for about $700,00.00 USD. (That is the Charles Russel Tenderfoot painting on the right).
Harry Jackson's 60 inch high sculpture called Pony Express 1983 shows the kind of energy and motion that I love to paint!
A portion of the display of over 300 paintings and bronzes that encircled the entire ballroom.
Two Conte drawings and two acrylic paintings by contemporary artist Bob Kuhn. I was impressed by the crispness and purity of his colors.
Paul Pletka's Crow Warrior was one of my favorite pieces.
This romantic painting by Richard Schmidt seemed very nostalgic to me, hearkening back to more carefree times.
After viewing the lots the night before the auction there is always a buffet dinner. This year the food was bountiful and better than ever including prime rib,lamb shanks, cheddar cheese balls, tiny quiche lorraine and wonderful pastries for dessert. The auction itself is always the most fun as it all happens at such a fast and furious pace. Most things were sold quickly. I learned that western art is alive and well in the United States although I must admit that generally the subject matter is not my cup of tea. My absolute favorite was not an American Western painting but instead an arrestingly beautiful picture by Leon Gaspard, a Russian trained painter and adventurer. The painting is Siberian Christmas and the story is that at 17 years old, after winning a gold medal at an exhibition at the National Academy of Russia, Leon set out into Siberia on a solo painting trip. The year was 1899 and after paying abut 12 cents for a ride in a horse drawn wagon from a passing family, he was dropped off at an inn deep in the interior of Siberia. This painting is a result of that experience.
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| Siberian Christmas / Leon Gaspard / 24x24 |
The photograph does not even come close to doing it justice. It sold to a lucky buyer for a mere $250,000.00!
What an experience, fantastic post - thank you for sharing. Although Western art is not as available in the UK, I confess I am a huge fan of it with its narratives and windows on history.
ReplyDeleteI'd never thought of hounds hunting lions (Bob Kuhn), I always associate them with Fox Hunting.
Your hound has that look of concentrated determination that would put fear into any lion - a wonderful painting.
We go to this auction every July and always have a great experience - I never cease to be amazed at how fast and furious the bidding is, especially on the most expensive pieces! Bob Kuhn paints in acrylics and his brushwork is very unique - I really love his work. Glad you like my hound!
DeleteThank you for sharing. I love the Siberian Christmas, interesting composition. Would love to see that in more detail. And your new hound is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteSiberian Christmas was breathtaking in person. I wish I owned it!
DeleteBefore anything Julie this post was SO interesting.. $700,000,00.....WOW!!!!
ReplyDeleteI do like Siberian Christmas....I would love to see all of these in person! But the one I really love is your hound dogs. The texture is amazing and I love the light background!!!!! And lastly, ....I love western art....when I visited Wyoming and Montana I made my husband stop at all the galleries! Some of the paintings were breathtaking!!!!
Hi, Hilda - thank you so much. I am happy at the way this hound turned out and, lately, am drawn to high key abstracted backgrounds. I am surprised to learn how many people appreciate Western art! I will take a closer look next year!
DeleteWhat an interesting and thorough review of this auction. I've always wanted to go to one of these western art showings, but I do enjoy Southwest Art magazines review and photos of these auctions. Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteYour painting is such a delight! Again, such action and personality come across to the viewer!
Many thanks, Carol, for your kind words about my hound dog! My husband and I look forward to this auction each summer - how lucky we are that it is held in our town!
DeleteSusan, je hond is prachtig geschilderd, helemaal je stijl !
ReplyDeletegroetjes van Simonne
I am so happy at your enthusiastic acceptance of my dog - thank you, Simonne.
DeleteBonsoir chère Susan,
ReplyDeleteUn grand merci pour ton adorable petit mot laissé sur mon blog... Je ne peux que penser à toi depuis mon arrivée dans le Maine ! J'ai la joie d'admirer ton travail pour de "vrai" !! et c'est fascinant ! (tes ballerines sont fantastiques !)
Hier je me suis installée tout près de l'une de tes peintures, un magnifique crabe aux citrons, pour peindre sur une toile d'un petit format que j'avais glissée dans ma valise pour venir ici à Portland.
Tu vois nos bonnes ondes se sont mêlées !! sourire... Lorsque j'aurai terminé cette petite peinture elle sera un peu comme si nous avions travaillé ensemble !
Je suis en admiration avec ce superbe toutou qui serait un compagnon de jeu parfait pour Sir Icarus mon dalmatien...
Tu as eu le plaisir immense de participer à une belle vente. C'est très gentil de ta part de nous faire profiter de petits moments privilégiés avec tes jolies photos. Un grand merci !
Je t'embrasse affectueusement,
Gros bisous
Thank you for your wonderful comment, Martine Alison - I am thrilled that you have had a chance to see my work in person and that you are incorporating the crab into one of your imaginative pieces! Indeed, it will be as if we worked together! A big hug to you and please, give Susan Roux a big hug for me as well. She has been so wonderful and kind to me!
DeleteWhat a wonderful show! I do appreciate Western art particularly the sculptures. I also appreciate your 'white' dog painting. It has movement and depth and shows your excellent sense of color values and chroma. Terrific.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Linda - the sculptures are amazing and I could spend most of my time looking at them. Up next will be another white dog painting! I am experimenting with high key backgrounds as well as high key subjects. Its quite fun and interesting.
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