[PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT]
At the heart of a gallery are its owners and directors who curate the roster of artists whose works fill its walls and pedestals. In this promotional spotlight, our editor worked with the galleries to feature creatives living in the American Southwest or specializing in art of the genre. The work highlights the breadth of what is available in the art market today.
The Adobe Fine ArtRuidoso, NM(575) 257-5795 | theadobefineart.com
Self-taught artist Cynde Roof, who resides in Santa Fe with her husband, Rodney, came to painting later in life after a near-death experience. Growing up in Alaska has given her artwork a unique point of view through her three primary themes: animals, women and “still life with a twist.” She explains, “I am passionate about everything and always want to know more. That helps me put on my ‘art goggles’ to find what’s interesting about my subjects.” Roof’s paintings are also recognized for their deep, moody color palette and whimsical subject matter. Each image pops from the glass-like surface she creates on her panels.
Barbara Meikle Fine ArtSanta Fe, NM & Santa Fe, NM(505) 992-0400 | meiklefineart.com
Artist and gallery owner Barabra Meikle is known for using dynamic brushstrokes and bold color in her paintings giving each subject portrayed unique movement, energy and emotion. From childhood, Meilke has been sketching, taking care of and riding horses. She feeds her passion for wildlife not just through her art but also by donating to equine and animal shelters throughout the Southwest. Meikle has been traveling to photograph and paint her subjects including the Camargue horses in France and the lions in Africa. Her painting BLUE REFLECTIONS depicts horses she saw last spring in the South of France, near the Mediterranean Sea. It is a scene she loves to feature in her work, where the horses are on the beach are surrounded by the reflections of the water, the earth and the sky.
Blue Rain GallerySanta Fe, NM & Durango, CO(505) 954-9902 & (970) 232-2033 | blueraingallery.com
As a child, Doug West had the ambition of becoming an artist. His career spans more than 45 years beginning with his mastery of silkscreen serigraphs and a transition to oil paintings of New Mexico. As the gallery explains, “West’s paintings stand out for their layered, luminous use of oil paint, which allows him to transform landscapes into visual poems that both evoke and transcend place. His background in serigraphy informs his nuanced approach to color and transparency, while a near-death experience deepened the spiritual awareness in his work, imbuing it with mystery and emotional power.” New works by West will be on view October 10 to 21 at Blue Rain Gallery with a reception on opening night from 5 to 7 p.m.
Ian Russell Gallery of Fine ArtPrescott, AZ(928) 445-7009 | ianrussellart.com
Painter and illustrator Ian Russell was born in the San Francisco Bay Area. He grew up inspired by museum works, the art of Norman Rockwell and works by fantasy artist Frank Frazetta. In 1985 he moved to Prescott, Arizona, and art became his focus which led to exhibitions around the state and the eventual founding of Ian Russell Gallery of Fine Art on Whiskey Row. Passionate about capturing the “beauty and adventurous spirit” of Arizona, Russell’s paintings blend classical influence with storytelling. He uses light, color and place to draw viewers into the landscapes and animals that are found in the state.
Legacy GalleryScottsdale, AZ & Santa Fe, NM(480) 945-1113 & (505) 986-9833 | legacygallery.com
Celebrated artist Z.S. Liang, born in China in 1953 to a family of artists, received his BFA in painting at Massachusetts College of Arts in 1986 and his MFA in painting at Boston University in 1989. While studying and painting the culture of the Wampanoag people at the Outdoor Museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts, he found a new artistic spark in portraying Native American cultures and their traditional way of life. Liang is an adamant researcher, making connections and friends with Indigenous tribes across the country. The passion and accuracy in his work have earned him accolades and inclusion in permanent museum collections such as the Autry Museum, Briscoe Western Art Museum and Harvard University.
This story appeared in the October/November 2025 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Subscribe today to read every issue in its entirety.
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