Show Preview | Don Oelze

Legacy Gallery Santa Fe highlights the complex history of the American West this summer with Echoes of the Old West, an exhibition of 15 new paintings by Montana artist Don Oelze. The gallery hosts an opening reception on Friday, June 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. Most of the paintings will be sold by draw, giving collectors who enter their name an equal chance to purchase the work at its listed price. Several more pieces will be available via an online auction, which closes on June 28.

An avid enthusiast of Native American and Old West culture since childhood, Oelze has an ardent interest in preserving the history of that period in rich visual narratives. He paints from a storytelling perspective, diligently working to maintain historical accuracy as he recounts yet-to-be-told stories of the past. “Through my work, I hope to pass on the same feeling of excitement and passion that I have for this subject,” says Oelze. “I want viewers to feel connected to the stories I’m telling and to experience the history in a way that resonates with them.”

Though he spent his early years living in New Zealand, Oelze connected with his American identity largely through tales of Indigenous and white populations who made the Western United States their home. “Ultimately, I hope people walk away with a sense of pride in the unique history we share,” says the artist. “It’s a complex past, with both good and bad moments, but it’s all a part of who we are today.”

Interested in mining factual details, Oelze also can’t help but add a splash of his youthful romanticization of life on the range to his art, typically by composing scenes full of drama and intrigue. It leaves viewers to consider not only what’s happening, but what just happened and what’s about to happen. As a result, Oelze’s Western vignettes come alive in stunningly realistic subjects bathed in dynamic light and amplified color.

Part of what attracts Oelze to his subject matter is the multifaceted nature of the scenes: the majestic landscape, the historical context and perhaps, most of all, the interactions among the figures he paints. “The people, their experiences and their stories captivate me, and I love trying to bring those stories to life through my work,” he says. To research his subject matter, Oelze reads books and historical accounts and he sometimes visits museums or specific locations to get a firsthand sense of the space as it existed so long ago.

Oelze’s representational painting style mirrors his interest in historical accuracy, and he wields his paintbrush with naturalistic precision, taking care to ensure every line, shape and shadow contributes authenticity and visual interest to his narrative. To accomplish that, Oelze uses live models, many of whom are members of the Blackfeet Nation, as well as his collection of authentic Native American outfits and other cultural ephemera when constructing his compositions.

Echoes of the West marks Oelze’s second solo show at Legacy Gallery Santa Fe. “I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with old collectors as well as meeting new ones,” says the artist. —Elizabeth L. Delaney

Contact Information(505) 986-9833legacygallery.com

This story appeared in the June/July 2025 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Subscribe today to read every issue in its entirety.

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