This fall, Solvang Antiques in conjunction with Judith Hale Gallery, is pleased to present Western Days and Cowboy Ways, an exhibit featuring paintings and sculpture depicting scenes of the American West. This special Western art exhibit showcases new works from artists such as Howard and Betty Carr, Vicki Catapano, Bill Churchill, Nancy Davidson, Barron Postmus and more. 

Curator Judith Hale says:

“The Santa Ynez Valley has long been devoted to the equine lifestyle. They love their horses, tack, trail rides and all that encompasses the joy and hard work with their ranches. The gallery exhibits wonderful works reflecting these ways, and we are pleased to feature them during this themed exhibit.”

She adds, “I especially enjoyed featuring the small saddle carvings by Bill Churchill, the ranch life oil paintings by Nancy Davidson, and the magnificent painting of mother and child, Child of the Pinyons, by Vicki Catapano.  I think that this show is incomparable to others. The content is new, with different pieces and work of excellent value and quality.”

The saddle sculptures above and below by Bill Churchill are prominently featured in this year’s show.

“The small saddle is a little treasure,” Judith Hale says. “Bill has used his material to benefit its beauty, and to uniquely give it the appearance of different surfaces.”

Judith Hale also had a few words for someone looking to start an art collection. “Art is a very personal purchase,” she says. “It needs to fit budget, style, theme, color, size, and other considerations.  For a new buyer, I would want to be sure that their interest is solid, so that their love of the piece will always remain.  It doesn’t have to match everything around it, as wall colors will change over the years, but the painting will stay the same.”

“I would say that you should buy what you like and not worry about what others think about your selection,” Judith says. “They are not the one paying and enjoying the art; it is easier to make those choices without many other opinions.  Buy what you like, buy the best little painting that you can afford and learn about the artist. Perhaps next time you visit a gallery, you will be ready to invest further into the pleasure of owning fine art.”

Western Days and Cowboy Ways runs through November 13, 2017.