Southwest Art Magazine Feature Article & ALTAMIRA FINE ART Exhibit

Hello Everyone!

This post is to share the Southwest Art Magazine article and a few more paintings that are a part of the ATLAMIRA FINE ART exhibit.  

Southwest Art Magazine Feature Article - August 2013 Issue

I was literally speechless while speaking with the managing editor of Southwest Art Magazine when she told me that they would like to do a feature article of my work.  A feature article in a prestigious magazine is a pivotal point in an artists career.  This happens only after an incredible amount of time 'behind the brushes' and from the support and enthusiasm from those who love art.  I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Southwest Art Magazine, to ALTAMIRA FINE ART, to The Gerald Peters Gallery, to Trio Fine Art, to the collectors of my art and to my friends and family.  Art is not created in a vacuum and my work would not be where it is now without you.  

The link below will connect you to the Southwest Art Magazine article:

 http://www.scribd.com/doc/156078046/September-Vhay-Southwest-Art-Featured-Artist-August-2013

ALTAMIRA FINE ART Exhibit

I am excited to share that the recent exhibit has been a success and is still up at ALTAMIRA.  If you are in Jackson and would like to see it please do so as it will be taken down this Monday the 29th.  Enclosed are a few paintings in the exhibit that I was not able to include in the last post.  

'Bailar' - 40 x 60 - Oil on Belgian Linen - ALTAMIRA FINE ART - SOLD

'Midnight' - 20 x 30 - Oil on Belgian Linen - ALTAMIRA FINE ART - SOLD 

'Ode to Kuhn' - 24 x 30 - Oil on Belgian Linen - ALTAMIRA FINE ART - SOLD

'Rocky Mountain Majesty' - 30 x 30 - Oil on Belgian Linen - ALTAMIRA FINE ART - SOLD

Even though this is a quick post I still have to include a picture of Uma.  Here she is in a saddle bag, needless to say she was not pleased about the experiment which lasted all of about two minutes.  :)

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

All my best,

~ September 

A First Place Award, The Coors Exhibit, Cowgirl Up & Tej Singh

Hello and Happy Spring!

There is much to report in this post.  A First Place Award, a successful Coors Exhibit, a painting of Tej Singh, and the upcoming 8th Annual Cowgirl Up Invitational Exhibit and Sale.  

Dreamwalkers Dream - 24 x 36 - Oil on Linen - Private Collection

I joked with the owner of this stallion that "C.Quito won a blue without leaving his stall!"  Blue ribbons are nothing new to him but this Belgian Warm Blood didn't have to fly over jumps for this award.  I was honored to receive the First Place Award in the painting category for the Sixth Annual Ex Arte Equinus International Competition.  'Dreamwalkers Dream' was chosen from 1,000 entries.

In January I traveled to Denver to participate in The Coors Exhibit.  This exhibit is an extension of the 107th National Western Stock Show, a charitable organization which provides college and graduate level scholarships in agriculture and medicine for practice in rural areas.  It was a wonderful gathering of collectors, artists, and recipients of scholarships in years past.  Four of my five pieces sold, and 'Sky' is now on display and available at ALTAMIRA FINE ART.  

Sky - 12 x 24 - Oil on linen - ALTAMIRA FINE ART - SOLD 

Finished about a month ago is a painting of a Thoroughbred that I have been fortunate to lease for the last year.  His name is Tej Singh and he's worthy of riding in single digit temperatures.  He is a retired race and steeple chase horse and is very patient as I learn the art of jumping.  We are still doing poles on the ground for now ... I will keep you 'posted' (no pun intended).  

Tej Singh - 20 x 40 - Oil on Linen - Private Collection

And finally, in these last few weeks I have finished three pieces which will soon ship to the annual 'Cowgirl Up' Exhibit at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg, Arizona.  The exhibit will run from opening night, March 22nd, through May 5th.  For more information please click on this link: 

Desert Caballeros Western Museum - Cowgirl Up Exhibit

Sienna Sunday - 12 x 24 - Oil on Linen - Cowgirl Up Exhibit - SOLD

Rousette's Magic - 15 x 38 - Oil on Linen - Cowgirl Up Exhibit - SOLD

Saturn Ablaze - 12 x 12 - Oil on Linen - Cowgirl Up Exhibit - SOLD

And last but not least, for the Uma fans....

Uma goes through the drive through:

"Hi.....so uhm, I'd like a 12 pack of nuggets, 2 cheeseburgers, a vanilla shake with whip cream, 4 large fries......" 

Thank you for your time in reading this post.
Have a great next few months as we welcome warmer temperatures and longer days!

All my best,

~ September 

Coors Western Art Exhibit, Cowgirl Up, & Altamira

Hello and Happy Holidays!! 

This post is of two new paintings that will be on exhibit in January at the Coors Exhibit, one painting for the Cowgirl Up exhibit at the Desert Caballeros Museum, and a new piece which will be at ALTAMIRA. 

The Coor Western Art Exhibit and Sale, which is part of the Western Stock Show, will be held in Denver with the opening reception night on January 8th and a Preview Party on the 7th.  For more information about the exhibit or the pieces below please click on the following link:  The Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale

'Midnight Mystic' - 12 x 24 - Oil on Belgian Linen - Available at The Coors Exhibit - SOLD

Texas Longhorns can have horns that extend up to 7 feet and the breed is known for their variety in coloring.  They are also hallmarked by their gentle and intelligent disposition, their longevity, resistance to disease and ability to thrive in marginal pastures.  It is the juxtaposition of their powerful yet gentle nature that inspired this painting.

  

'Spring Forward' - 30 x 30 - Oil on Linen - Available at The Coors Exhibit  - SOLD

I have recently had the honor to be asked to participate in the 'Cowgirl Up Exhibit' at the Desert Caballeros Museum in Wickenburg, Arizona in March.  The below piece will be a part of this exhibit. 

'Saturn Ablaze' - 12 x 12 - Oil on Linen - Available at The Desert Caballeros Western Museum - SOLD

This colt stood out of the herd at the Red Hills Ranch, near Jackson, Wyoming, as his blaze wraps around the entire lower part of his face, which is called a wide blaze.  He followed me as I wandered among the herd with my pocket full of carrots taking photographs.

'Fall's Glory' - 12 x 15 - Oil on Belgian Linen - Available at ALTAMIRA FINE ART - SOLD

There is a very clear reason why my parents ranch is called Deer Run Ranch.  The herd of mule deer this year was larger than it has ever been.  Two trusting does with fawns have taken residence in my parents front yard.  This fall they would wait for my dad to come outside after his morning coffee and shake the apple trees for their breakfast.   

And for the Uma fans here is a recent pic.  
She has been good so there might be some kibble in her stocking.  :)

Be well, stay warm, and enjoy your friends and family this holiday season!! 

All my best,

~ September

A Large Charcaol for 'The Winnies' Film Festival, The American Art Invitatinal, The Coors Western Art Exhibit, and a large Red Horse

Hello Everyone!

The full color of fall is here in the valley! It is something to behold and is a favorite time of year when the air is crisp but the days are warm.  

There is a lot happening here in the studio and it is exciting!  This post contains a large charcoal done for The Winnies Film Festival,  a piece for The American Art Invitational, a paintings for The Coors Western Art Exhibit and a large oil Red Horse.  

The Winnies Film Festival is a collection of equine based films and art which will be at the Center for the Arts in Jackson, Wyoming from October 5th - 7th.  The art reception is on October 5th from 5 - 7 and will be on display for the rest of October.  The artists featured are  Kathryn Mapes Turner, Kathy Wipfler, Meredith Campbell, Terra Arrowwood and myself.  A portion of the proceeds from the festival will go to The Winnies Future Filmmakers Fund and a variety of horse charities including Jackson's Horse Warriors and Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding.  For more information about this event from the Center for the Arts or The Winnies Facebook Page, please click on the below links:

'The Winnies Film Festival - The JH Center for the Arts'

'The Winnies' - Facebook Page

Ebony and Ivory - Charcoal on Paper - 36 x 77 - Available at ALTMAMIRA FINE ART  - SOLD 

All of the equine artwork that I will be exhibiting for The Winnies Festival will be drawings of horses which can be found in the 'Drawing Gallery' on my website (www.vhay.com) and available for purchase through ALTAMIRA FINE ART.  This registered Painted Gaited Horse, named Spud, resides here in Jackson and has the most gentle temperament of any horse you will ever meet.  

This next piece will be on display at The American Art Invitational at The Saks Gallery in Denver, Colorado (a collection of small works by the top contemporary artists in the country).  Needless to say, it is an honor to be a participant in this exhibit.  The opening reception is on November 9th, 2012.

For more information about this piece or the exhibit please click on the below link:

American Art Invitational Information

Late Summer's Spring - 12 x 12 - Oil on Linen - Available at The Saks Gallery - SOLD

'Late Summer's Spring' was inspired by the mule deer at my parents ranch in Nevada. The deer herds take refuge and forage in the alfalfa fields and the nearby hills. 

I will also be participating in the Coors Western Art Exhibit in Denver, the opening reception is on January 8th, 2013.  This exhibit is part of The National Western Stock show which is a Stock Show, Rodeo and Horse Show that is in it's 106th year and lasts for 16 days.  Proceeds from the event go to provide scholarships for study in agriculture and medicine in rural areas.  This is the first of five paintings that I will be sending to the exhibit and the rest will appear on my next blog post.  

Sky - 12 x 24 - Oil on Linen - SOLD 

This piece is a roan colt that lives on the Poodle Ranch in Jackson, Wyoming.  It is the star on the colts forehead, his coloring and the contrast of his white body against the bay coloring of his mother that caught my eye.  
For information about this piece or the event please click the below link:

Coors Western Art Exhibit

And to wrap up this post is a 60 x 60 Red Horse titled Red Horse Five that is currently hanging at ALTAMIRA FINE ART in Jackson.  The Red Horse paintings are numbered as to their placement in time in an ongoing trajectory of these pieces.  The large oils are painted from the smaller watercolors which are inspired by Japanese Sumi Paintings, the art of Craig Sheppard and the sculpture of Deborah Butterfield. This oil is titled Red Horse Five as it was done from the fifth watercolor that was done in the Red Horse Series.  The scale is impossible to convey digitally so if you get a chance to stop in at ALTAMIRA to see it, please do so.  

Red Horse Five - 60 x 60 - Oil on Linen - Available at ALTMAMIRA FINE ART - SOLD

And lastly I would not want to leave you all without a picture of my trusted studio companion Uma. 

"Ahem September...excuse me for interrupting, but the eye on that colt isn't quite right... you might have to redo it now while the paint is wet or it will look overworked.... just say'in.."  
~ Uma

I appreciate you taking the time to keep up with what is happening in the studio here in Jackson.  

Best Wishes,

~ September 

ALTAMIRA FINE ART exhibit paintings, more to come.

Hello and Happy Summer!

We are having the most delightful summer here in Jackson.

I have been outside as much as possible but of late have been spending long days in the studio getting ready for an upcoming exhibit at ALTAMIRA FINE ART

Please come see the paintings if you are in Jackson!

I am honored to be sharing the evening of August Second with Jared Sanders whose exhibit is titled: "Home Ground".  Jared's paintings capture the essence of the west in their serenity, his subdued pallete, and his fresh compositions.    

I would like to extend a my gratitude and appreciation to ALTAMIRA FINE ART who do a fantastic job at connecting collectors with art.  It takes an incredible amount of energy to put together exhibits & events, hang art on a regular basis, and connect collectors with art.  The team that works at ALTAMIRA is exceptional in their care for the art, the clients and their artists.  It is no wonder that it is one of Jackson's most highly respected and enjoyed galleries.  

I also would like to thank Henry Holdsworth who has been very generous in allowing me to work from his photos for the paintings of 'Universal Mystic' and both of the 'Summers Dream' paintings. 

Here are some pieces that will be in the exhibit.  

There are more in the studio that will be on ALTAMIRA's website soon. 

Universal Mystic - 12 x 24 - oil on linen - available at ALTAMIRA FINE ART - SOLD

Dream Walker's Dream - 24 x 36 - Oil on Belgian Linen - available at ALTAMIRA FINE ART - SOLD 

Summer's Dream One - 20 x 20 - Oil on Belgian Linen - Available at ALTAMIRA FINE ART - SOLD

Summer's Dream Two - 9 x 12 - Oil on Belgian Linen - Available at ALTAMIRA FINE ART- SOLD 

True Light - 11 x 11 - Watercolor on paper - ALTAMIRA FINE ART -  SOLD 

There will be Red Horses in this exhibit.  

Two of which are below with more of the small oils on the way. 

Red Horse 20 - 48 x 48 - Oil on Belgian Linen - ALTAMIRA FINE ART - SOLD

Red Horse 46 - 9 x 13 - Oil on Belgian Linen - ALTAMIRA FINE ART - SOLD

And for the Uma fans... 

Here we are at the Animal Adoption Center.

Yes... I am 'owned' by a rescue pet.  :)

She is still the apple of my eye and constantly honing her art critique skills.  

Be well and enjoy all the sunshine!

Huge Charcoal Angus Bulls and a Colt

Hello Everyone..!!

Happy Summer!  The sunshine and longer days are a delight to the soul!

In the interest of transparency I must confess that my 'First Friday Posts' have become 'Post as I have time and work to share'... which is more realistic and happens about every five or six weeks.  All of our lives are so full that I imagine nobody noticed.  

All of the works in this post are for my Altamira exhibit on August 2nd.

This posts consists of and oil painting and some charcoal drawings... two of the drawings, the bulls, are 3 feet x 6.5 feet!  I have never done drawings this large and creating at this scale with charcoal was a lot of fun.  Maneuvering them around the studio, up and down the stairs, and transporting them to the photographer was another story.  These Angus Bulls were on The Mead Ranch a few winters ago, their large dark shapes against the snow instantly reminded me of one of my favorite works by Francisco Goya.

'Giant' - Francisco Goya - 1818

I did some small drawings of them a few years ago and have wanted to do them in large format ever since.  They are designed to hang together facing each other.... that said, they will also stand alone as the two together would need about sixteen feet of linear wall space.  Maybe the Metropolitan has space for them.  :)

Stalwart Knight One - 36 x 77 - Charcoal on paper - Available at Altamira Fine Art - SOLD

Stalwart Knight Two - 36 x 77 - Charcoal on paper - Available at Altamira Fine Art - SOLD

To create works this large in charcoal I used the full spectrum of charcoal mediums available, from a charcoal pencil to, literally, a charcoal brick about 8 inches long.  There was a learning curve in regards to handling the paper, the different textures of the charcoal, the effects of the fixative and framing details in regards to the scale of the pieces.  

The variety of charcoal mediums used to create the bulls. 

The below is an oil painting of a Lipizzan Colt.  It is the starkness of the composition in the below painting which mainly excites me.  Placing a subject in the middle of a canvas can be tricky business and it is the backdrop and the shapes in the colt which make this composition successful.  It is titled 'Bokeh' as that is a word which refers to the aesthetic quality of the blur of out-of-focus areas in a photograph.  I played with blurring the areas at the bottom of the painting to bring the viewers attention to the white star on the forehead and the eye which are more detailed.  The blurred areas along the bottom also creates imbalance which is necessary as the colt is in the center of the painting.

'Bokeh' - 15 x 41 - Oil on Linen - Available at Altamira Fine Art - SOLD 

The below is the study for 'Bokeh'

Study for 'Bokeh' - 10 x 18 - Charcoal on paper - Available at Altamira Fine Art - SOLD 

And a last, but certainly not least, a 'Post' would not be a 'Post' without a picture of Uma.

Thank you for taking the time to keep up with what has been going on in the studio. 

May you have wonderful upcoming summer days!

All my best,

~ September 

ALTAMIRA FINE ART, A Gerald Peters Exhibit, NMWA entry, and Red Horses

Hello Everyone!

I accidentally posted this post at the same time as the Giclee Sale last week and since it posted under the 'sale' post most people did not see it.  Please excuse the redundancy if you already have seen it. It is part of my 'blog' learning curve.  

Spring is in the air and with it are longer days and renewed energy!  Jackson rarely has spring come this early so it is a treat, the birds that migrate are here and the aspens are budding.  It is a bit of a shock and nobody is complaining... quite the contrary.   

There is much to report in this blog post. I will start with:

A gallery transition from Trio Fine Art to ALTAMIRA Fine Art

 I will be in transition from Trio Fine Art, which I co-owned and co-operated for six years, to ALTAMIRA Fine Art on May first.  The reason for this new chapter is that I want to have more time to paint.  Running Trio Fine Art has been an incredibly rewarding experience in regards to having the opportunity to work with, and create art alongside, the talent of Kathryn Turner, Molly Hirschfield, Lee Riddell, and Jennifer Hoffman.  I am proud of what Trio has become and would like to extend a huge amount of gratitude to my business partners, collectors, family and friends for your support.  Neither Trio Fine Art nor my career would be where they are without your unwavering enthusiasm. I am excited to have the opportunity to exhibit at ALTAMIRA and will have a one woman exhibition this summer from July 24th - August 14th, with a reception on August 2nd. If you are in town please come and the paintings will be available to view online.

Other exciting news is:

An Exhibit at The Gerald Peters Gallery

'Works on Paper' 

The Gerald Peters Gallery - Santa Fe

May 11th - June 16th

Hedley - Johnson - Loken - Vhay

The following paintings will be displayed as part of this exhibit.

'Joy Four' - 10 x 10 - Watercolor on 300lb Arches Hot Press Paper - GP - SOLD

'Joy Five' - 10 x 10 - Watercolor on 300 lb Arches Hot Press Paper - GP - SOLD

'Joy Six' - 10 x 10 - Watercolor on 300 lb. Arches Hot Press Paper - GP - SOLD 

It is no wonder that hummingbirds are a symbol of abundance and joy.  I paint them as the sheer sight or sound of them immediately fills my soul with delight.  

'Blue Mustang One' - 9 x 15 - Watercolor on 300 lb. Arches Hot Press Paper  - GP - SOLD 

'Blue Mustang Two' -  9 x 13 - Watercolor on 300 lb. Arches Hot Press Paper - GP  - SOLD 

Outside of the fact that I have an affinity for horses in general, Mustangs have a special place in my heart as I grew up in Nevada and have been watching them in the desert ever since I was a child.  The wild horse epitomizes the west. 

For more information about these pieces or the exhibit please contact Maria Hajic and the below email link:

Maria Hajic - The Gerald Peters Gallery

It is an honor to be asked for the second year in a 

row to participate in the 'More' category of the 

National Museum of Wildlife Art's Western Visions Miniatures and More Exhibit 

this upcoming September.

'A Kindred Glow' - 20 x 36 - Oil on Belgian Linen - NMWA - SOLD

This painting was inspired by a John Singer Sargent (American, 1850 - 1925) painting, titled Smoke of Ambergris, that I saw this past January at the Clark Museum in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Sargent's handling of paint is like none other and to be able to see the brush strokes in person made me a better painter. Every few years there is a painting that changes the way that I work and see. This was one of those. 'A Kindred Glow' was also inspired by the beauty of this bird and my fascination of painting white objects. I would like to thank Henry Holdsworth for his generosity in allowing me to work from his photographs for this piece.

'Ode to O'Keeffe Two Sketch' - 5 x 7 - Conte on Paper - NMWA - SOLD

This sketch will be a part of the drawing division of the NMWA Miniatures and More exhibit. 

These works will be available on the night of September 14th.

For more information please click on the link below:

National Museum of Wildlife Art's Western Visions Miniatures and More Exhibit

New Red Horses

The red horses paintings are created purely from imagination, they are done outside of reference material.  They are based upon thirty years of drawing the horse, japanese sumi-e brush painting, and inspiration from deceased artist Craig Sheppard,  and the abstract sculptures of Deborah Butterfield. These works are numbered as to their place in a trajectory of these paintings which began in 2007.

There are a few new facets to this group of Red Horses. I have not yet done a colt - Red Horse 30, nor have i done one as small as Red Horse 45 which is 3.5 x 5. I have also been exploring a new substrate, 4 ply Bristol (on RH 41 and 42). Bristol has a less absorbent surface so the water and the pigment float on the top which creates a lovely pooling effect with the paint. It is also smoother and brighter white which gives the paint more vibrancy. On Red Horse 41 and 42 I have added washes of red paint along with the watercolor lines of the horses.

'Red Horse 45' - 3.5 x 5 - Watercolor on 300 lb. Arches Hot Press Paper - Altamira - SOLD

'Red Horse 43' - 7 x 10 - Watercolor on 300 lb. Arches Hot Press Paper - Altamira - SOLD

'Red Horse 41' - 7 x 9 - Watercolor on 300 lb. Arches Hot Press Paper - Altamira - SOLD

'Red Horse 42' - 7 x 9 - Watercolor on 300 lb. Arches Hot Press Paper - Altamira - SOLD

For Information about these Red Horses please contact Altamira Fine Art at the below link:

ALTAMIRA Fine Art

And last, but not least, I have to include this picture of my new studio companion Uma. I never thought I would own a mini dachshund (a dog not built for one of the coldest places in the country).  Nor did I think that I would own a dog who now has a down coat and a blue fleece jacket.  All that said, I am smitten, so she is staying.  Here is 'Uma in Blue' - she is quite proud of herself, as she should be :)!

All my best,

~September