Altamira Fine Art in Jackson Hole, WY is pleased to present a new exhibition for Geoffrey Gersten, September 10-24, 2024.

Please join us for the Artist Reception Friday, September 13th from 5-7pm and meet the artist.

“All I know is what I experience: every night I have trouble falling asleep because I have so many ideas for my paintings and I’m trying to sort them all out and prioritize them. Then, upon waking the following morning, I know exactly which one I’m going to do. I must get to the studio as fast as possible so I can begin.” – Geoffrey Gersten

PICTURE OF A COWBOY

Ever drawn to challenges, ever known for being “all-in,” Geoffrey Gersten  simultaneously tackles all forms of chaos in his studio, from contrasting colors and concepts to juxtaposing subjects and genres. “The most surprising thing about this recent work is the switching back-and-forth between extremely tight painting and totally freeform, even pouring or splashing paint. It just depends on the mood that I’m in at any given moment.”

When it comes to inspiration for his most recent body of work, the artist says, “There was no direct inspiration for my new paintings; it was more like a swirling mass of images, ideas, feelings, and art world pressure.” As for one of the more common sources of his innovation, that comes from quips in everyday life, perhaps in a book, print ad, or on a sign.  “These little sayings always prompt images to come to mind that become painting ideas. There can be so much hilarity and imagery compressed into one little saying,” the artist observes.

Picture of a Cowboy is an amalgamation of both the literal and somewhat cheeky nature of Gersten’s western depictions, celebrating both the direct and obvious as well as a bit of kitsch and camp. With a background in graphic design, Gersten can’t help but consider the power of the ‘billboard test’, packing in a succinct punch with his exhibition titles.

Geoffrey Gersten is an internationally represented artist based in Scottsdale, Arizona.  After early success as a CAD designer for Honeywell and Boeing, he began painting professionally in 2007. A self-taught artist, his signature style developed from the confluence of abstract expressionism and photorealism.  His work explores themes of personal realization meeting popular culture. With past solo exhibitions in Taiwan and Madrid, his work can be seen in respected galleries and art fairs throughout the United States. Gersten’s work has been featured in American Art Collector Magazine, Phoenix Home and Garden and The Aspen Times.