Gene Kloss (1903-1996) at Saks Galleries

At a time when women were not well known for successful art careers, Gene Kloss captured the attention of the Western art world with her mastery of the etching.  The scenes she depicts are crisp with subtle tones that are not easily achieved with the medium.

Indian Ovens
etching, 1941
7 1/2 x 9 inches

Through her art, Gene Kloss captured the daily life of the New Mexican Pueblos and vast landscapes of the Southwest, including Colorado and New Mexico.  

Kloss was born in California in 1903 with the name Alice Geneva Glasier.  After marrying Phillip Kloss in 1924, she shortened her name to Gene Kloss, hoping, in part, that the more masculine form would help her work draw less prejudice when viewed for exhibitions.  Kloss fell in love with the landscape and culture of New Mexico on her honeymoon and from that point forward the couple split their time between Taos and Berkley, CA.

Rocky Mountain Valley
etching, 1963
13 x 19 inches

Her etchings have a painterly quality to them that is not often seen with the medium.  She attained this by developing technique of applying acid directly on the copper plate with fine brushes.  All printing was done by hand by the artist.  Kloss created over 600 etchings over the course of her career.  Gene Kloss is among the most important American women artists and printmakers of the 20th Century.

The etchings pictured above, Indian Ovens and Rocky Mountain Valley are currently available at Saks Galleries.  For more information, contact us at 303.333.4144 or info@saksgalleries.com.

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Pawel August Kontny (1923-2002) Innovative Colorado Artist at Saks Galleries

As a young man Kontny studied to be an architect.  In his vigorous cubist style he in fact felt he was building the buildings.

Moroccan Skyline
oil on canvas, 21.75 x 35.5 inches

Born in Poland in 1923, Pawel Kontny served in the army during WWII.  During this time he traveled throughout Russia, Hungary, Italy and Romania, gaining inspiration from the varied landscapes and architecture.

A Beautiful Street
oil on canvas, 24 x 36 inches

Kontny's style evolved throughout his career.  After moving to Colorado in 1969, the artist began exploring the landscapes of the American West, finding great inspiration in the culture and architecture of the New Mexican Pueblos.

Grand Canyon
oil and marble dust, 20 x 24 inches

A unique feature of many of Kontny's works are his use of marble dust in combination with oil paint, creating a sculptural surface.  Kontny would create his own marble dust from high grade pieces of marble, allowing him the options of fine, medium or course grades.  He wanted his paintings to withstand the test of time, to last for a thousand years.  To that end he experimented with mixing marble dust and oil paints- even leaving canvases outside in the elements to determine the effect of wind and weather. 

Hopi Mishongovi Second Mesa
oil and marble dust, 30 x 40 inches

"Kontny is remembered as an important teacher in Denver Modernism, an energetic personality... and an undefeated ping pong player!"
-Mikkel Saks

These works are currently on view at Saks Galleries in Cherry Creek.  Kontny's work can be found in many private art collections and museums, including the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art in Denver, Colorado.  A forthcoming retrospective biography is being written by Stanley Cuba and is expected to be published soon.

For more information contact Saks Galleries at 303.333.4144 or info@saksgalleries.com.

Morris Robinson (c.1900-1987), Hopi Silversmith at Saks Galleries

Hopi silversmith, Morris Robinson, is known for creative and modern jewelry designs.  He is credited with influencing some of the great Hopi jewelers of the 20th Century, including Charles Loloma.

Elements of Art Deco design feature prominently in Robinson's jewelry.  His designs evoke the feeling of the 1920s when architects and designers were drawing on a variety of inspiration, including Cubism and the discovery of Egyptian art.  These designs have a timeless quality that are still very popular today.

A beautifully designed silver and spiderweb turquoise necklace is available at Saks Galleries.  This rare necklace shows Robinson's mastery as a silversmith and his use of high quality turquoise.

Morris Robinson
Silver and Spiderweb Turquoise Necklace
at Saks Galleries

Robinson's work can be found in a variety of publications throughout the 20th Century.  This 1974 issue of Arizona Highways highlights a similar necklace in the Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, Arizona. 

For more information contact Saks Galleries at 303.333.4144 or info@saksgalleries.com.

www.saksgalleries.com

Peggy McGivern, Artist Demonstration at Saks Galleries

Saturday, May 18th

11:00am-3:00pm

Peggy McGivern at Saks Galleries

In conjunction with her solo exhibition, A Sparrow's Refuge, Peggy McGivern will be in the gallery demonstrating her process tomorrow.  The exhibition opens tonight from 5:00-8:00pm.

The Muse
mixed media, 36 x36 inches

McGivern brings life to her work with a variety of mediums, often creating a subtle three-dimensional effect that is a must see in person!

Detail of The Muse

Beginning with acrylic, McGivern may begin to add charcoal, soft pastels, oil pastels and a mixture of sand and salt.  

Sparrows
mixed media on canvas
48 x 60 inches

Detail of Sparrows

The exhibition is featured in the current issue of Southwest Art.

A full preview of the show can be found here or stop by the gallery and see all the works in person!

For more information call 303.333.4144 or email info@saksgalleries.com.

www.saksgalleries.com

Fremont Ellis (1897-1985) Celebrated Western Artist at Saks Galleries

Fremont Ellis, unlike so many other artists during this time period, was born and raised in the American West.  The family traveled throughout the country and Ellis first became interested in art during a trip to New York and a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Eventually settling in Santa Fe, Ellis is known for his striking depictions of the New Mexico landscape.

On the Pecos
El Rancho San Sebastian, Santa Fe, NM
oil, 6 1/2 x 9 inches

On the Pecos, titled and signed on verson

Two works by Ellis are currently available at Saks Galleries.  

These small works are beautiful examples of a classic Ellis New Mexico landscapes.  His style has an impressionistic quality, bringing texture and movement into the scene.

Pines Near Old Santa Fe Trail
El Rancho San Sebastian, Santa Fe, NM
oil, 6 1/2 x 9 inches

Pines Near Old Santa Fe Trail, titled and signed on verso

Contact Saks Galleries at 303.333.4144 or info@saksgalleries.com for more information.

www.saksgalleries.com

Peggy McGivern's A Sparrow's Refuge Opening at Saks Galleries

Opening this week! 

Peggy McGivern

A Sparrow's Refuge

Opening reception Friday, May 17th, 5:00-8:00pm

Peggy McGivern explores the symbolic nature of nests and the refuge they provide. Inspired by a quote from Howard Jones: “The depth and beauty of a nest seems to depend more upon the materials at hand, the experience, genius, and hurry of the workers, than upon any other circumstances, each pair of birds, shaping their home after their own ideas.”   

Among the Thistle
mixed media on canvas
36 x 36 inches

“My art is my nest.  If I am the sparrow, my art is my refuge, where I feel comfortable and at home.”  

-Peggy McGivern

To Fly
mixed media on canvas
36 x 36 inches

Her work expands beyond the literal depiction of a nest, bringing depictions of the human figure into many of the pieces to continue the narrative.

Thoughts and Emotions, Pleasures and Hardships
mixed media, 48 x 48 inches

The exhibition is featured in the current issue of Southwest Art.

A full preview of the show can be found here or stop by the gallery and see all the works in person!

For more information call 303.333.4144 or email info@saksgalleries.com.

www.saksgalleries.com

New York Artist Heads to the Wild West: Lemuel Wiles (1826-1905) at Saks Galleries

In the late 19th Century many artists were drawn to the wild, untouched landscape of the American West.  Lemuel Wiles is among the celebrated artists that captured the the beauty and majesty of the pristine Colorado landscapes.  During 1873-1874, the New York artist traveled to Colorado, California and Panama creating studies of the landscapes along the way.

This gorgeous Colorado landscape by Wiles just arrived at Saks Galleries.  Painted in 1879, this landscape depicts a majestic Colorado sunset over the iconic rock formations in the Garden of the Gods.

Lemuel Wiles

Gateway, Garden of the Gods, Colorado

1879

10 x 8 inches

Wiles is widely known for his Hudson River School style depictions of the East coast, making this Western landscape a rare find.   In this scene, Wiles expertly captures the scale of the unique geological formations by placing a wagon and road in at the base of the gateway.

detail of the signature and small wagon

Wiles would have experienced the awe inspiring rock formations that Garden of the Gods is known for before the official founding of the park.  Charles Elliott Perkins had purchased the land in 1879 and prior to his death made arrangements for the land to become a park.  In 1909 his children gave the land to the city of Colorado Springs and over 100 years later visitors to the land can experience the same striking landscape.  

titled, dated and signed on the verso

Contact Saks Galleries at 303.333.4144 or info@saksgalleries.com for more information.

www.saksgalleries.com