Thursday, February 7, 2013

Techniques Common In Southwest Paintings

By Alyce Larson


Southwest paintings are extremely diverse in terms of style and media. Abstract works with native American aesthetics are available from a number of contemporary artists. More commonly, landscapes and Native American scenes are painted realistically using oils or watercolors. Such tourist focused art attempts to deliver the flavor of the region for visitors to remember it by.

There are many famous artists who have been inspired by the region, and the value of such paintings is high. Those who wish to collect such work without spending as much money can purchase prints. Investment buyers will prefer to buy only limited edition prints that are likely to increase in value in the future. Those wanting to invest in authentic paintings usually choose artists who are only beginning to build a name for themselves.

The stark vistas of Arizona and New Mexico are popular subject matter for artists. The region has some breathtaking scenery, with canyons, mountains and deserts. The cultural history of the area is also an important part of local artwork. There are artists who reside in the region, but there are also many artworks produced by visiting painters who were inspired by the landscapes.

Some well known authors such as DH Lawrence have written about the region. Many artists try to mimic the feeling of cave art to depict the wildlife and cultures living in the area. There are also many contemporary artists who use impressionistic color and techniques to bring out the typical palette of the region.

The Pueblon tribe is among the oldest in the area, and their influence has had an impact on the colors and lines contemporary artists use. They used repetitive designs and earthy palettes. Traditionally, this culture used to use art to tell stories. More modern tribes prefer to depict ceremonies through their art.

The settlers of the colonial times had an influence on the way local tribes painted. Hispanic artists were more interested in crafts such as leather and wood work but the unique aesthetic they used has affected modern painters. Anglo American art enjoyed a popular period when European settlers began to populate the region.

Artists native to the south west began to work with silver in the 1800s. The Native Americans were exposed to paintings that used oil and watercolor, and this led to a change in the way the tribes depicted their culture in art. They began to take on the more modern media of the settlers.

When world war one ended, American settlers started to depict the cultures of natives in their work, and make use of the dramatic landscapes around them. There was a proliferation of such work during this time. This has left buyers with an enormous collection of art to choose from.

Fetishes and Kachina dolls are some of the preferred inspirations for abstract artists. The use of symbolism has transformed the way people paint today. Artists take inspiration from the aesthetics of ancient sculptures and petroglyphs. The Pueblon tribe is perhaps the most fascinating inspiration for modern Southwest paintings.




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