Inspiring Creativity: Thomas Blackshear and Legacy Gallery

My soul sister, business partner, and roommate Sandra SanTara has been a fan of Thomas Blackshear for a long time. Early in our friendship she introduced me to his work, which I instantly fell in love with and have been a fan of ever since. So when we heard that there was an exhibition of his original works in town at one of the (many) local galleries here, we knew we had to go. So we took some time on Saturday and went down to the prestigious Legacy Gallery to see some of his paintings.

Let me tell you, there is -nothing- like viewing traditional media originals from a favorite artist. There is a presence about them that cannot be duplicated or even really put into words. You must experience an original artwork for yourself.

Thomas' grand oil paintings are a revelation, a sight to behold. His use of color and his uniquely modern Art Nouveau style with a Southwestern twist is like no other art out there. His subjects are alive in their expressions and body language, yet at the same time there is an ethereal quality to them that I have studied and just can't figure out. Perhaps it is his stunning use of lighting as well, or his masterful composition and use of space. 

There is a design element to his work that is at once illustrative yet is so unique that it puts his work into the Fine Art category. There is also a kind of whimsy to it all, and that is what just intrigues me and makes me want to understand HOW he does it. How he envisions as he does. 

I don't know if you can see from the photo, but even his sketch and study work is superb.

The intense colors and vibrancy of the oils just blow me away. It truly is unlike any other medium when you see it in real life. 

This painting of a horse in particular is done in oils, but the man -carved- the mane and gold parts of the tack out of wood, then gilded them and affixed them to the painting. Are you kidding me???

We hung around for awhile, just absorbing the works of this master, inspired to aspire to new levels with our own artwork. For me, it makes me want to learn more, do more with my own art, and perhaps explore oils and different color theories. Maybe try some new subjects. It re-inspires me to want to be an artist of this caliber, a great Southwestern/Wildlife artist, which I have dreamed about since I was in high school. 

There were also two originals by the incomparable Daniel Smith (which sadly I forgot to take pictures of), but were no less jaw dropping. These are done in acrylics!! The depth of sheer detail that Daniel gets is astounding. He is absolutely a wildlife master!

And a couple of really great and massive bronzes from the sculpture garden out back next to the creek. I reeeaaally wanted to take the wolf home ;.;

There was more to Legacy, but I couldn't take a photo of everything LOL. If you are curious, all of their inventory is online for you to gawk at, but it seriously doesn't hold a candle to seeing the originals.

I cannot recommend enough that, given the opportunity, you visit some galleries of artwork that you connect with and love. For me, that is wildlife, Western, and Southwest art, which Legacy Gallery is a fine example of. Seeing original artwork is absolutely inspiring, showing you different ways of looking at the world, and your own art. 

Sandra and I are blessed to live in such an art mecca as Santa Fe. I hope you can see original artwork in a gallery where you live, or at a fine art show, or even a convention. It truly is the best kind of creative magic!