Capturing the Beauty and Harshness of the West: An Artist's Perspective

The West is an incredibly diverse and fascinating region of the United States, encompassing a wide range of cultures, traditions, and landscapes. From the rugged deserts of Arizona and New Mexico to the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains, the West is a land of stark contrasts and breathtaking beauty.

For many people, the West has long been associated with cowboys, gunslingers, and outlaws, thanks in large part to the popular culture of movies and television. While these archetypes certainly play a role in the history of the West, they represent only a small part of the complex and multifaceted story of this region.

As an artist with deep roots in New Mexico, I am constantly inspired by the beauty and diversity of the West. From the vibrant colors of a desert sunset to the intricate patterns of a Navajo rug, there is no shortage of inspiration to be found in the landscapes and cultures of this region.

For me, the West is a place of contrasts and contradictions. It is a land of breathtaking beauty, where snow-capped mountains and vast expanses of desert stretch out as far as the eye can see. But it is also a land of harshness, where the unforgiving terrain is carpeted with prickly tumbleweeds and goat head stickers, making survival a constant struggle. Despite these challenges, the people of the West have learned to adapt and thrive in this challenging environment, embodying a spirit of resilience and perseverance that is truly inspiring.

One of the things that makes the West so fascinating to me as an artist is the way that it brings together so many different cultures and traditions. From the Pueblo and Navajo peoples of New Mexico to the Spanish colonizers who first settled in this region, the West is a melting pot of cultures and traditions, each with its own unique history and contributions to the region.

At the Wolf Martinez Gallery art Exhibition, 'The Contemporary West', we invite you to join us for the opening reception and experience the many different interpretations of the West by our diverse artists. You will find a variety of styles, mediums, and subjects, all inspired by the beauty, history, and culture of the West.

So, whether you are a fan of cowboys and covered wagons, or you are more interested in the rich cultural traditions of the native peoples who call this region home, there is something for everyone to appreciate and enjoy in the West. Come and explore this beautiful, complex, and endlessly fascinating region with us, and discover all that it has to offer.

Gallery Pricing Woes: How to Avoid Out-Pricing Yourself

So, you've finally finished that masterpiece you've been working on for months, and now you're ready to sell it to the world. Congratulations! But before you start celebrating, you need to figure out how much you're going to charge for it. And if you're planning to place it in a gallery, you need to factor in their commission, which is usually around 40-50%. So how do you price your work without out-pricing yourself? Let's find out!

First of all, let's talk about the gallery's commission. Yes, it can be a bit of a bummer to know that you're not going to get the full amount for your hard work but, think of it this way: the gallery is doing a lot of work for you. They're providing you with exposure, advertising, and a space to display your art. Plus, they have to pay their rent, their employees, and all the other expenses that come with running a business. So, while it may sting a little to give up that chunk of change, it's important to remember that it's all part of the game.

Now, let's move on to pricing. It's tempting to raise your prices when submitting your work to a gallery, in order to compensate for the commission, they'll be taking. But here's the thing: if you price your work too high, you're going to out-price yourself. Think about it. If you charge $10,000 for a painting and the gallery takes 50%, that means the buyer would have to pay $15,000. That's a lot of money! And while there are certainly buyers out there who are willing to pay that much for a piece of art, they're few and far between.

So, how do you strike the right balance? The key is to do your research. Look at what other artists in your genre and at your skill level are charging. Take into account the size, materials, and level of detail in your work. And don't forget to factor in your own experience and reputation as an artist. Once you've done all that, come up with a price that feels fair to you and that you think buyers will be willing to pay.

Finally, here's a little pro tip: if you're worried about out-pricing yourself, consider offering a range of prices for your work. For example, you could have a smaller, simpler piece priced lower, and a larger, more intricate piece priced higher. That way, buyers have options and can choose the piece that fits their budget and their taste.

So, there you have it! Pricing your artwork for a gallery can be tricky, but with a little research and some strategic thinking, you can find the sweet spot that works for you and your buyers. Good luck, and happy selling!

Thanks for reading! We hope this post has given you some useful insights into pricing your artwork for a gallery. Remember, it's all about finding the right balance between your own needs as an artist and the expectations of buyers and galleries. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. We'd love to hear from you!

Pioneering Creativity: The Journey of Steve Phillips

Welcome to Wolf Martinez Gallery, a space that celebrates bold, innovative art and the diverse perspectives of emerging and established artists. Today, we're honored to have the opportunity to speak with Steve Phillips, the first artist to join our gallery and showcase his captivating works to the world.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background as an artist?

I was born in Chicago Ill. Our family moved to Farmington NM around 1969. I was Influenced with art at the early age of 5 yrs. old. Mostly self-taught though. My experiences as an artist span over a number of things I've done; like cartoon illustration, working for a greeting card company, t-shirt designs, as well as working in a sign shop, dabbling in murals on occasion, and sculpturing.

How did you first become interested in art, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career?

As far back as I can remember, my mother was always drawing and working on crafts of some sort. She was my first inspiration. I remember sitting on her lap and her showing me pictures from a magazine of landscapes to draw. I continued perusing the art field without knowing there could be an art career in it. I was always interested in the cartoonist like Charles Schulz, Disney, Looney toons, and any kind of cartooning that I was interested in drawing. By nature, I wanted to become a cartoonist and so that was my first pursuit of a career in the arts. Thus, my works today are heavily influenced today by cartooning.

Can you describe your artistic style and any particular themes or motifs that you frequently explore in your work?

If I was to describe my art today, I am painting in more of a modern style, very loose, almost to the point of abstraction. How I tell a story is, I start the story with a creative concept, but I want the viewer free to conclude his or her own interpretation. Still today, I use cartooning by mixing the old with new, as well as taking the past and present things that are important to me, by putting the cartoon perspectives into an art form. It's nothing new it's an old form that's been around for a long time. Cartoons are something that both young and old are interested in. So, it's finding a way, just to do it my way.

What mediums do you work in, and how do you choose which medium to use for a particular piece?

My mediums are primary acrylics. In the past, I used many other mediums like oils, cloth, pen and ink, to mention a few. But I like the flexibility of acrylics, the way it dry's, and the way it flows. My favorite, that I usually paint on is large stretch canvas. Preferably 48x48 size because I can express better that way.

What has been your biggest inspiration or influence as an artist, and how has this affected your work?

Influence changes with the years. So, you start to follow great artists like Pablo Picasso, and illustration artists like Frank Frazetta who are entirely on two different perspectives, but I love both of their art. In any case my paintings have an illustrative quality in them.

Can you walk us through your creative process, from initial concept to finished piece?

Usually, the best impact is early in the morning, so I prefer to start at 4 am, with canvas ready and prepped from the day before. So, the underpainting usually has a bright color of intensity red or bright oranges. Then I start outlining with chalk. If I don't like the drawing, I'll erase and start over. Next, I usually use a darker color, very wet, with a medium of purple. After outlining the work, shading will be done with that same value. Next, I start applying the layering and glazing color.

How has your art evolved over time, and how do you see it continuing to develop in the future?

I started with an illustration quality and evolved to an expressive style. I found my way into modern painting with oils, and then worked onto studying and painting abstract expressionism. Which is still influencing my art today. You can't help but carry it with you. My paintings keep evolving with the past and present elements which is making up my own style today. Therefor they are simple by design but complicated by subject. I see my art evolving to be more expressive but still having a story.

How has your experience working with Wolf Martinez Gallery been so far, and what drew you to collaborate with them initially?

Working with the Wolf Martinez Gallery helped in many ways as an artist. Especially when the gallery owners are artists themselves. There's more understanding and better communication. It makes for a great friendship and business relationship between us. I love working with Manny and Carolyn we've become like family. I became a fan of Manny's work from the first time I seen him post his work online. Then, was quite surprised when he asked me to make a visit to the gallery. Needless to say, we hit it off jabbering about art and neither of us could stop talking.

What can visitors to 'The Contemporary West' exhibit expect from your contribution, and how does it fit into your larger body of work?

I think people will see the transition of the work in this show firsthand from a few months ago that was more illustrative. Now compared to my newest work that is more expressivist, so it's quite exciting to present it to the public.

Lastly, do you have any advice for aspiring artists looking to make their mark in the art world?

I would encourage one to study all the rules of art. Basic shapes, anatomy, landscapes, and learn to use paint, ASAP. Teach yourself not to be hard on yourself, because it will get easier when you put in the "sweat and tears." Produce many paintings and try different styles. Somewhere along the way you'll find yourself. Picasso once said, "you need to learn the rules before you can break them."