Martin Grelle In conversation with Gussie Fauntleroy
GF: When did you become a professional artist?MG: I sold my first artwork not long after graduating from high school in Clifton, Texas, in 1973, and within a short time I began working full-time as an artist. My first solo show was in 1974, and by 1977 I was participating in multiple shows from Texas to California.
GF: Has anything been a constant source of inspiration throughout your career or have new inspirations arisen?MG: I have been inspired by the people and the landscapes of the American West since the beginning. Local subjects dominated my work initially, but traveling to other areas of the West and seeing the incredible Rocky Mountain landscapes and the cultures that call them home had an immediate impact on my subject matter.
GF: In terms of technique and style, what has changed since the beginning and what do you continue to rely on for your artwork?MG: My techniques evolved as I learned about better ways to achieve the effects I sought. Several professional artists throughout my career freely shared their knowledge with me. My style is relatively the same as it was early on, but it has varied between being more detailed or more loosely rendered. Trying to capture the feel of light has always been a goal.
GF: What are some of your proudest career achievements?MG: Being voted into the Cowboy Artists of America in 1995 and being invited to be in the Prix de West invitational that same year are two them. Others include the Prix de West Purchase Award in 2002 and 2005, and multiple buyer’s choice awards in that show. Winning awards in multiple mediums at the CA show and winning the buyer’s choice awards several times have been important. Being honored with the Legacy Award at the Briscoe Museum and with the Artist of Excellence Award at the Booth Museum are also memorable moments.
GF: What are you currently working on now?MG: I’m working on pieces for several shows in 2026, including Western Horizons, Night of Artists, Prix de West, and Cowboy Artists of America 60th Anniversary. I’m also starting to look down the road a few years toward another solo show.
representationLegacy Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ & Santa Fe, NM, legacygallery.com
upcoming showsPrix de West, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, June 12-13.Cowboy Artists of America’s 60th annual Exhibition and Sale, October 2-3, 2026.Annual Holiday Small Works Show, Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale, December 2026.
The post Southwest Art’s 55th Anniversary | Martin Grelle appeared first on Southwest Art Magazine.