Art shows, such as Quest for the West, can be found in every state in the U.S. and throughout much of the world.

When I was young and growing up with an artist father in Southern California, the Laguna Arts Festival was my favorite. Specific pieces of art don’t stand out in my memories, but the joyful feelings of wonder and curiosity I felt still does.

I’ve been painting and attending art shows as a professional artist for more than 30 years and I still feel a sense of wonder and excitement when I go to a show like the Quest for the West at the Eiteljorg in Indianapolis.

The Quest for the West has been a yearly ‘must’ since I first learned of it more than 10 years ago.

Kristie, Camden and Bill at the Quest for the West art show

This year, because David and his family were visiting, we made it a couple’s date. Why would an art show, with a 3-hour round-trip drive, be a destination spot for a date when they only had a few days to visit?

For us it’s because David told me that since he started helping me with Master Oil Painting he’s fallen in love with art (which is a good thing since he married an artist). He says he’s learned so much from the critique webinars, blank canvas interviews and art training blog posts he feels he can better appreciate the level of skill and passion that goes into painting.

He and Camden (his wife) now visit galleries and shows when they travel, and they’ve even begun collecting art (and not just mine).

What is it about art shows that can captivate and compel us to go so far out of our way to visit them?

I don’t know if I can fully answer that. David, Camden, Kristie and I all had different favorite paintings at the show. And I suspect that the reasons are as varied as our individual life experiences.

Those experiences, I believe, are why art appeals to such a broad range of peoples and cultures. Something in our hearts and minds is opened and expanded when we study and view art. Art uplifts, teaches, motivates, angers, excites, confuses, quiets, compels, confounds and causes our thoughts to soar above the mundane.

Great art stirs emotions within us that make our lives more meaningful.

Spirit of the Wolf 30×46 – oil painting by Krystii Melaine at the Quest for the West art show (Source)

Our Favorite Quest for the West Paintings

Brent Cotton

Brent Cotton was new to the show this year. I’ve admired Brent’s work for years and loved Under the Cottonwoods at the Prix de West Invitational – which won the Wilson Hurley Memorial Award for Outstanding Landscape.

Brent has mastered the effects of luminesce light.

Bill studying Brent Cotton’s Solitude of the Morning painting

Solitude of the Morning 21×32 – by Brent Cotton at the Quest for the West art show (Source)

Josh Elliott

Josh Elliott’s work always stands out. He was also at the Prix de West where he sold every piece.

Camden studying Josh Elliott’s painting Mountainside 36×28 at the Quest for the West art show

Mountainside 36×28 – oil painting by Josh Elliott at the Quest for the West (Source)

C. Michael Dudash

C. Michael Dudash is a fantastic storyteller with his richly colorful western paintings. He is one of the foremost artists that draws me to the show each year.

I’m not the only one that loves his work since it sells readily at the shows.

C. Michael Dudash Quest for the West

Riders of the Canyon 38×50 – oil painting by C Michael Dudash at the Quest for the West show (Source)

G. Russel Case

The Legacy Gallery in the late 90’s or early 2000’s was where I first saw G. Russel Case’s paintings. At the time I thought they were too simplified and lacked refinement.

Now they seem elegant – enough detail to draw the viewer in without drawing attention from the simple beauty of the West.

Kaibab Sage 24×30 – oil painting by G. Russel Case at the Quest for the West show (Source)

One day I hope to own one of his paintings.

George Hallmark

George Hallmark is a universal favorite of David, Camden, Kristie and I.

Camden, Kristie and Bill admire George Hallmark’s La Parroquia – 36×36 which sold at the Quest for the West for $32,000

Dusk (La Parroquia) 36×36 – oil painting by George Hallmark (Source)

All four of us simply stood and enjoyed La Parroquia for quite some time, periodically commenting on areas of the painting that stood out to us.

John Fawcett

John Fawcett drew David in like a fish on a hook. He barely held off purchasing Stop on a Dime because it looks just like his team-roping Grandpa. Fawcett also captured the feeling of a quick-stop so beautifully.

Stop on a Dime 13×17 – watercolor painting by John Fawcett at the Quest for the West show (Source)

Kristie taught David and each of our children how to ride and made sure that horses are now a part of their DNA and their happy memories. This was a difficult painting to walk away from.

John Moyers

John Moyers is one of my favorite painters living today. He has an economy of brushstrokes and color that is masterful and mesmerizing.

John Moyers Quest for the West

Songs of the His Fathers 24×36 – oil painting by John Moyers at the Quest for the West show (Source)

His approach to painting has immense variety while being consistently Moyers’. His work always keeps me wanting more. I have trouble not pulling up a chair so I can sit there till closing time and they force me to leave.

Pulse of the People 36×36 – oil painting by John Moyers at the Eiteljorg Museum’s Quest for the West show (Source)

There were many other dazzling artworks at the show by artists such as Tim Solliday, Nathan Solano, Krystii Melaine, Joseph McGurl, Robert Griffing, Daniel Smith, sculptor extraordinaire Gerald Balciar, and others.

Plans for Next Year’s Quest for the West Art Show

The Quest for the West show is one of the highlights of my year. A stampede of buffalo would be hard pressed to keep me from it next year.

Let me know what day’s you plan to be there in 2019 so we can admire the paintings together. We can also grab some lunch at the Eiteljorg Museum Café – their food rivals the artwork!

Eiteljorg Museum Café

Are you really passionate about art?

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What are your favorite art shows to visit?