Trailside Galleries Presents
J.R. Hess
For the Birds

Since the earliest time of man, birds have inspired our deepest
imaginations. Fearless and free in the sky, birds make us wonder what
would it be like to fly? While we may never know, we can observe
and learn from these beautiful animals we share the earth with. With
this new collection of recent works, I attempt to create a glimpse into
the wild, untamed spirit of nature’s birds and bring awareness to the
importance of wildlife protection. - J.R. Hess

“No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings.” — William Blake

Trailside Galleries is pleased to present its annual small works Holiday show featuring works from over 40 acclaimed  artists.  This traditional holiday show offers a plethora of  small, affordably priced  artwork including paintings, mixed media and sculpture with a widevariety of subjects ranging from  western and wildlife  to  landscapes, impressionism, still-life and figurative works.

The small jewels offering during this festive show are perfect additions to growing art collections as well as thoughtful and unique gifts for the holidays.   As you view our Holiday catalog, please note that we have included special features on a handful of artists, who this year, have been able to  provide us with an expanded  grouping of  works.    

All artwork is available for immediate purchase beginning November 28, 2022.

From all of us at Trailside  Galleries, best wishes for a very Happy Holiday Season!

This new collection of work is the culmination of decades of exploring the wilds of North America. In all of that time, I’ve seen the many varying details of what one might call the Wild, Wild West. It was these various attributes of what makes the west wild — the terrain, the stories of the animals that inhabit it and their beauty — that I hoped to explore with these new, smaller and more intimate paintings. - Dustin Van Wechel

In the 42 years that I have been a professional artist, I have learned that nature’s beauty and secrets are expressed in all things — from a snowcapped mountain range to a single blade of grass. During that time, I have been fortunate to have lived on the ocean, in the mountains and on the flatlands of America. These paintings are but a small expression of those experiences. — Eric Michaels

There is no limit to the amount of joy I get from painting nature using chords of color. Growing up in Montana and Idaho, I spent my childhood outdoors enjoying God’s creation. There was no such thing as the internet and a cell phone to consume my time. Instead I was on a trout stream or camping in the mountains with dad. Every one of the paintings in this new collection reminds me in some way of those special childhood days and how blessed I am to bring them to life on a canvas. I hope you will enjoy viewing them as much as I did painting them. — Garth Williams

I’ve been observing and painting birds for as long as I can remember. After thirty years of exploring a wide range of living things in paint, it seems fitting to celebrate this anniversary of my beginnings by flying full circle back to my first love – painting birds. I’m approaching them with the same admiration for their beauty and diversity, but with fresh ideas on how to present them. Minimal abstract backgrounds and simple, elegant frames allow each species to display their finest attributes. Whether familiar garden friends or exotic species from far off lands, each one brings the wonder and beauty of the natural world into our lives. These paintings are timeless, modern classics which I hope will delight for generations.

"I’ve turned a decidedly nontraditional eye to the world of flowers––those forms which constitute one of the most traditional and ubiquitous subjects in the history of art. Combining abstraction and realism, my intention is for these contemporary paintings to communicate both the intelligence and personalities of specific flowers, as well as the greater, invisible energy fields from which these forms arise."

Figure paintings, especially of Chinese and Tibetan subjects, comprise the vast majority of my artistic creations. During the pandemic, I reexamined materials for sketches that I collected on a previous visit to China. This process inspired me toward new ways to express my emotions that cannot be expressed through words – only through painting. Seeing the world through the eyes of children is a special interest of my recent paintings. Sometimes their stories are clear, other times ambiguous. This is among the reasons that painting is unique. Through painting, I can share my feelings with the audience. Like good music, art can reach its audience in ways that leave a strong, lasting impression. All I have to do is express my innermost emotions without hesitation. This is why I paint. - Jie Wei Zhou

Much of Canada’s heritage is embedded within the posts and beams of old barns, agricultural structures that have long served an essential role in animal husbandry, crop storage and processing. Affectionately called Castles of Country Canada, they have been part of the Canadian landscape for over 200 years and are an integral part of its architectural heritage..