Celebration of Fine Art

Tom Lucas resides in Lander, Wyoming; which was established in 1884, and lives near the Wind River Mountains. Tom, a western painter, is passionate about preserving “the old ways” of the Native American culture and uses his art to capture the traditions of the past.

Tom spent much of his youth on the Indian Reservations in Montana and Wyoming. During those years he developed a deep admiration for Native American culture leading him to learn the centuries-old techniques of making war bonnets, drums, whistles, bows, arrows and beadwork. His skill at ancestral tool making has been documented by Wyoming Public Television and his tools are in the Yellowstone National Park Sheep Eater Indian Collection.

His oil paintings preserve this vanishing culture. Inspired by his childhood memories of Charlie Russell, Tom always had a deep desire to create art of the Western culture. His lifestyle as a cowboy, mountain man, hunter, trapper and outdoorsman serves as the ultimate foundation for his art. His passion for being creative was always waiting to be fulfilled by the next canvas. Tom’s scope of work includes still lifes, landscapes and wildlife subjects. He paints with emotion while capturing a culture. Tom has been accepted as an Associate to the Oil Painters of America and is also a member of the Western Artists of America. He has received many awards for his works of art over the years.

Tom’s interest and passion of ancestral tool making has led him to be documented on PBS in such films as Sheep-Eaters: Life in the Mountains and Archers of the Yellowstone. Known as Tomahawk Tom in the Mountain Man arena, Tom has mastered replicating Indian artifacts, many of which are subject in hip paintings.

Be sure to make it a point to visit with Tom next time you are at the Celebration of Fine Art.

Rob’s career took many successful paths primarily in the health care field as an administrator and consultant. Twelve years ago Rob decided to use his wonderful gift of creating art that was realized at the age of six. A decision he has never regretted and one that has brought great satisfaction and inner peace.

All of Rob’s paintings are original works of art. Every piece is unique and a “one and only”. His contemporary southwest/tribal depictions of Warriors and Shamans are paintings of his very own tribe to honor and give respect to the many people who walked the earth before us. Each piece portrays great strength and spirit with a bit of whimsy.

Rob creates abstract paintings that include color studies based on his love of modern architecture and landscapes inspired from his many years of traveling. His pieces are extremely detailed and portray great depth and texture using many layers of paint to create a strong, colorful and vibrant effect. His paintings may be contemporary yet fit with all decorating schemes and decors. Rob’s “Tribe” continues their 10th year of existence at the 2012 Celebration of Fine Art. Is it your year to add a piece to your collection?

Rob’s daily words of inspiration, “Never let the odds keep you from pursuing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.”

Cary, a mixed media painter and native of Utah, draws inspiration from the weathered sandstone and western surrounding views. Inspiration has been drawn from worn Italian frescoes, Bali, Egypt, Japan and other resonant locales during his travels.

He spends hours layering his canvases with additive and subtractive methods, varnishing, taping and adding paint, burnishing and removing areas of color and plaster. Oils and acrylics, combined with different glazes, create a weathered and cracked patina indicating the essence of time. An essence of peace and calm is the focus of each painting.

Inspiration derived through education at Pratt Institute in New York City and his time spent in New York museums has provided the abstract sensibility in his landscapes.

2012 marks Cary’s third year at the Celebration of Fine Art where he will continue with his highly textured process enhancing the depth and sophistication of each of his works of art. You will be sure to be captivated by his deep and emotional paintings as well as his passion for capturing a moment in time.

Jenny J. Foster assumes her style is a reflection of her happy childhood. A native Arizonan, she grew up along the Colorado River surrounded by petroglyphs, pottery shards and relics left by ancient ones.

The simple, strong beauty of those designs and symbols from the past, have collectively unconsciously found their way into the paintings and sculptures which she creates today. Primitive, bold and contemporary, slathered with layers of color, abstract forms and deep textures, Jenny’s work is a celebration of colors, creatures and the spirit of life.

Her constant goal is to create pieces that speak to the heart immediately, stirring strong emotional reaction. Spontaneous and strong. The challenge is to create personality and expression, always aware of the balancing act of keeping it simple and not going too far with detail. Too much attention to the realistic aspects of the subject, she believes, takes away the energy and charm of her unique style.

Jenny’s style has been described as purposely reckless, primitive yet contemporary, gentle while being strong, bold but sweet, powerful, joyful and refreshing. She likes the “purposely reckless” description the best. You will be energized by a conversation with Jenny during your next visit to the Celebration of Fine Art!

In describing her work, Jenny says “Few things compare to completely letting your imagination run wild – to allow the palette and brush to take over, watching new images simply emerge, capturing the moment and knowing when to stop. I personally do not believe this process can be taught. It is natural and innate. People smile when they see my work. It is simply meant to bring a bit of joy to the observer’s life – kind of a childlike happiness we all once knew. If I can evoke that happiness in someone for a moment and take them away from the everyday stress life offers, I feel I have succeeded.”