“The Beauty Around Us,” a show of new works by Jackson artist Bill Sawczuck, is on exhibit at Trio Fine Art July 11-28th, 2012. Sawczuck is the gallery’s newest addition, and joins Trio’s partners in doing what those artists are inspired—even possessed—-to do: paint the power of this place. An artist’s reception takes place Thursday, July 12th, 5-8:00 pm, at the gallery. Sawczuck will be on hand, and will give a talk about his painting style. The reception is free, and the public is invited.

A painting and heart as big as the landscape around us. “Tribute To Greg,” a 24 x 48″ oil on canvas, by Trio Fine Art’s Bill Sawczuck, is a masterful painting, and a tribute to Sawczuck’s close friend and “long-time plein air painting buddy” Greg McHuron.

"Tribute To Greg," 24x48" Oil on Canvas

This very special show emphasizes that, as Sawczuck says, artists can “find inspiration in magnificent mountains, derelict buildings and anything in between.”  An artist need only look around him to find the snowy landscapes, myriad Teton views, unmatched autumn colors, wildlife, historic old barns, ranches and cabins. All these subjects are part and parcel of Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Some views are inescapable; some are hidden and blended into the cottonwoods, near the rivers and lakes, by a rock outcropping, under an aspen, in the sky, or partially hidden by a mound of winter snow.

Sawczuck is also participating in “Plein Air for the Park,” the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters National Event, taking place in Grand Teton National Park.

“The Beauty Around Us” is dedicated to Jackson’s great plein air painter, Greg McHuron, whose love for this valley, its “WOW,” has never dimmed. Here’s to you, Greg!  And here’s to Bill and all the artists who have dedicated their lives to documenting our landscapes with beautiful paintings; paintings we will cherish forever.

Trio Fine Art is located at 545 North Cache. 307.734.4444.  www.triofineart.com 

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A double-header opening reception for sculptor Greg Woodard’s new show, “Native Americana,”  and painter R. Tom Gilleon’s “Bulls & Bears” takes place Thursday, July 12th, 5:30 – 7:30 pm at Altamira Fine Art.

Woodard has been spending time this month as “Artist in Residence” at Grand Teton National Park’s Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitors Center. I saw him working up there just the other day, engulfed by a throng of curious visitors. “Native Americana” will feature sculptures of several of Woodard’s favorite subjects, but he is known for his deep understanding of raptors. He “studies and carries the love and knowledge from these powerful birds into his work.” Another important feature of Woodard’s work, says Altamira, “is the railroad track theme, which can be seen in many of his pieces. The railroad tracks symbolize the line of sight that man or animal can take to look ahead for food or guidance….What makes Woodard’s work unique is the patina process he uses…his process allows each edition its own color and texture.”

Altamira is now Gilleon’s exclusive gallery rep. As of last May, Gilleon’s prices have risen. His painting “Altos Llanos,” a 50 x 80 inch oil, graces the cover of July 2012′s issue of Southwest Art. I like Southwest’s write up on Gilleon; the spread features two images of large-scale Native American portraits: “Little Plume,” and “Red Arrow.”  The painting style–very simple and soft—of these portraits are new to my eye. Southwest’s article quotes Altamira director Mark Tarrant saying of Gilleon: “Tom is one of the most gifted and original contemporary realist artists. His compositions are always simple and direct, and he’s a master of color. He’s not a traditional Western artist.”

I do believe that if there was one contemporary Western painter I could own, it would be Gilleon. His style is iconic, spare, and his sense of color is transformative. Space and time are “unknowable.”  www.altamiraart.com