By Louis Amestoy | The Lead
I remember the first time driving across Interstate 40 — east of Flagstaff, Arizona — and being struck by the sky. When people think of Arizona, they think of the heat of Phoenix, but they forget about the high desert plains and mountains of Northern Arizona. The sky is alive.
The same is true in Wyoming and Montana. On the plains of eastern Colorado, the Rocky Mountains set for a magnificent backdrop of color and drama. Like Arizona, New Mexico's high plains — just before you get to the Colorado border on Interstate 25 — can produce a range of powerful thunderstorms that swell and fall. First white and puffy, and then dark and ominous.
In West Texas, you can see those thunderstorms building from the humidity of the Gulf of Mexico, pulling moisture and then pushing north — sometimes terrifying, but always awe-inspiring.
Kerrville's Museum of Western Art pulled together these emotions and visuals with its latest exhibition — The Heavens Declare: Celebrating the Glory of the Skies.
Quite frankly, it's my favorite exhibition yet at the gem of a museum — and I've seen them all since moving here in 2019. When I think of the west — of which I've spent considerable time in my life — I think of these images. The mountainous thunderheads that build in the late afternoon, the darkened skies ready to cool the day with rain and still, there are things about the west that continually amaze.
So, if you need something to do, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, I recommend heading to the Museum of Western Art to see the works of Phil Bob Borman, G. Russell Case, Tim Newton, Laurel Daniel, Linda Glover Gooch, David Griffin, David Grossman, Michael Magrin, Denise LaRue Mahlke, Phil Starke and John Taft.
Here are my five favorites:
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A Tuscon Evening
Phil Starcke
Why I like it: If you've ever been to this part of Arizona, or even Southern Utah, this work by Phil Starcke perfectly captures the mood of a late afternoon thunderstorm passing overhead and the setting sun.
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Michael Magrin
Why I like it: I really enjoy Magrin's graphical style. It's a stylized piece of impressionism with defining brush strokes. I particularly like how he outlines the clouds.
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magrin_michael
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Road to Pikes Peak | 8” x 8” | oil on linen mounted on cradled panel and framed in an American Maple Float frame. A…
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Crescent Moon at Sundown, Psalm 104:19
Denise LaRue Mahlke
Why I like it: Talk about an ethereal work of art! The color in this piece is magnificent and transitional. You've got the setting sun enriching the palette and the creep of twilight. Wow. It's also a pastel.
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dlaruemahlke
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A quick peek of what’s been on the easel. Big news coming! #texasartist #dlaruemahlkeart #wip #outwest #favorite plac…
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Overcoming
Phil Bob Borman
Why I like it: This is a small piece but it's packed with details. I love the vantage point of watching the storm sweep across the plains and over the canyons. I also really love Phil Bob Borman's work, and since it's small it's the one I can most likely afford.
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philbobborman
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SOLD! One day in gallery! Thank you @insight_gallery_fredericksburg for sending SUMMER SKY, EVENING PROWL a new home!!…
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Heavy Rain
G. Russell Case
Why I like it: Ominous. When I look at this painting I look down at the figures in the foreground and wonder 'what are they thinking?" They're probably thinking we're going to get soaked. But this piece is just so captivating with its use of color. The oranges of the setting sun and the shades of dark paint depicting the bands of rain are marvelous.
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russellcaseart
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“Serenading the Light” 45×50
The Heavens Declare! @museumofwesternart |
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