Show Preview | Altamira Fine Art: Amy Ringholz

Jackson, WY
July 29-August 10

Amy Ringholz, Mod, oil/ink, 48 x 48.

This story was featured in the August 2013 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Order the Southwest Art August 2013 print issue, or get the Southwest Art August 2013 digital download now…Or better yet, just subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss a story!

Amy Ringholz speaks through the animals she portrays in her mixed- media paintings. She tries to convey their wisdom, character, humor, and bravery through color and form. Painting quickly has been an important part of her process. Six months ago she discovered that spray-painting helps the process feel more spontaneous than ever, and that she is able to capture more of the essence of the animal when she works quickly with this medium. “Everything feels so fresh and raw when I spray-paint,” Ringholz explains. “If an area feels too raw or unfinished, though, I take out my big oil sticks and finish the painting with them.” With more than 150 spray-paint colors now at her fingertips, Ringholz has noticed that her palette has expanded. Instead of using only colors traditionally associated with western art, she’s dabbling with less expected colors, such as hot pink.

Amy Ringholz, Vogue, oil/ink, 48 x 48.

Fifteen of Ringholz’s works in ink, oil crayons, and spray-paint are featured in her solo show at Altamira Fine Art, which opens on Monday, July 29, and runs through August 10. The gallery hosts an artist’s reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on August 1. The show, titled Squaring Off, features only square paintings. Ringholz chose to work with this shape, she says, because it is a contemporary format. Painter Duke Beardsley, whose works are featured at the gallery concurrently with Ringholz, is also showing a series of square paintings—so the artists’ works are also “squaring off” with each other.

In Ringholz’s latest works, the jackalope—that mythical half-rabbit, half-antelope creature—makes an appearance. “The jackalope is a great icon of the West,” Ringholz says. “I see it as a wise little being.”

“Amy’s works appeal to a wide array of art enthusiasts,” says Dean Munn, sales director at Altamira Fine Art. “They’re all drawn in by the subjects’ eyes—eyes that convey mystery or daring, humor or mischievousness or, often, a warm, gracious, and loving heart.” —Emily Van Cleve

contact information
307.739.4700
www.altamiraart.com

Featured in the August 2013 issue of Southwest Art magazine–click below to purchase:
Southwest Art August 2013 digital download
Southwest Art August 2013 print issue
Or subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss a story!