Mini masterpieces
Holiday group show
Small works shows open the art collecting door a little wider for admirers of art who have been looking for an opportunity to dive into the fold, with smaller-scale pieces often offered at significantly lower price points. This November, Manitou Galleries’ Palace Avenue location holds its annual Small Works Group Exhibition, featuring more than 100 miniatures from its talented lineup of artists, including Curtis Wade, Don Brackett and Paul Rhymer, among many others.
“The Small Works Group Exhibition allows every artist the opportunity for exposure, but viewers and collectors also see the cohesive nature in what makes each particular artist representative of Manitou,” says Cyndi Hall, associate director of Manitou Galleries.
Postinos View by Alvin Gill-tapia depicts a bell tower—buildings that are in many ways emblems of New Mexico—from a ground view looking up. “The tolling of the bells in each of its communities reminded its residents to attend a particular function or [honor] a departed soul/saint...my bell tower series continues through my new body of works and will always find a place in my exhibitions,” says Gill-tapia. “My use of gold leaf in this piece helps convey the effect of light and texture of the plaster.”
Tom Perkinson’s Full Moon in Winter features a palette of cool blues. Perkinson, who sees himself as a romantic painter, says the piece was inspired by his observations of a quiet winter night in New Mexico, the painting itself a visual representation of the sensations and emotions felt. “The rising moon and a meteor intensify elements of surprise and mystery in the narrative,” says Perkinson. “I added a small village at the base of the mountains for visual punch. Between the village and the viewer, I painted moon glow reflections in a body of water to create depth, and finally, I added three small rabbits in the foreground to complete the story.”
The small works show will be on view through November 19, with an opening reception on November 2 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.