It’s a Western World
Welcome to our July issue! As we wrap up Western Art Collector, American Art Collector and American Fine Art Magazine this month we can see the influence of Western art across all of our magazines and it is VERY exciting! It feels kindred to the inspiration of the Western frontier as people from all parts traveled across the country to live their Western dream. We are so fortunate that so many master painters were around to capture images of the time.
American Art Week recently took place in New York City. Adolfo and Robin Castillo, Michael Clawson and I were present to see all of the historic art on view in New York—from realism, impressionism, abstract and, of course, Michael’s favorite, Western art—and much of it was for sale and with red dots everywhere. The Knobloch Collection sale on May 17 at the Christie’s auction was incredible. You can see our report of this auction on page 140 of this issue. We like to think that it was with our help that many collectors were in the room or on the phone bidding on these some amazing pieces. Knobloch acquired many important works during his 50-plus years of collecting. The range was from Thomas Moran to a rare John Mix Stanley, Charles M. Russell and even a John Trumbull portrait of President George Washington.
In this issue we celebrate our love of Western art with our special sections Painting the National Parks, Western Sculpture and State of the Art: Wyoming. Prices are definitely going up for both contemporary and historical Western art. Our advice to you is to find an artist or a subject you like and buy it now! In fact, as the stock market cavitates, investors are focusing on art and Western art is a prime target for collectors right now. You were right when you started your collection. You are in luck, the Coeur d’alene Art Auction is this month on July 23 in Reno, Nevada. If you missed the Knobloch Collection, be sure to register for Coeur d’alene. They have more than 300 Western art paintings to add to your collection. Happy collecting!
Sincerely,