$9 Million-New Jackson Hole Art Auction Record

The 5th annual Jackson Hole Art Auction was held on September 17th in Jackson, Wyoming.  Presented by Trailside Galleries and Gerald Peters Gallery, the sale featured 250 lots of which 88% of them sold, realizing a Jackson Hole Art Auction record of over $9,000,000 in sales.  Approximately 300 people attended with over 400 registered bidders, multiple phone bids, absentee bids and internet bids kept auctioneer, Troy Black and associates very busy.

Frederic Remington's "He Lay Where He Had Been Jerked, Still as a Log"

Frederic Remington's painting "He Lay Where He Had Been Jerked, Still as a Log", an oil on canvas measuring 24" x 36" led the way estimated $1,000,000 - $1,500,000, sold for $1,583,000.  Other lots that sold well include Bob Kuhn's "Study of a Cougar" measuring 16" x 12" sold for $90,000.  Well above its $50,000-$75,000 estimate.  John Clymer's strong sales results continue with "Marie Dorian-Winter Refuge, 1814", a 40" x 30" oil on board selling for $391,000, well above its $200,000-$300,000 estimate.  Charlie Dye's 20" x 24" oil painting "Texas Brush Popper" estimated at $20,000-$30,000, sold for $74,750.  An auction record was set for Clark Huling's painting "Grand Canyon", a 31" x 47" oil on canvas, selling for $345,000.  One of my personal favorite paintings in the sale, "The Last Lilies" a 14" x 19" oil on board by Richard Schmid sold for $69,000, well above the estimate of $15,000-$25,000.

O.C. Seltzer's "Charles Russell with Horse"

Bidding was fierce for many of the 33 lots from the Emily Oliver Estate, 4LazyF Ranch in Jackson Hole.  Highlights included many works from O.C. Seltzer and a drawing by Charles Russell that was estimated $10,000 - $15,000 and sold for $43,125.  The drawing was titled "Riders on the Mountain Trail" and measured 10.5" x 9.5".  Seltzer's painting, "Charles Russell with Horse", a 13" x 9" watercolor on paper sold for $74,750 after being estimated $25,000-$35,000.  I just want to point out a few other observations.  I thought the Ken Riley works sold very strong, and also the Jim Reynolds work sold very well.  It's to be expected as Jim Reynolds recently passed away and he was in absolute incredible artist.

The strong results of the Jackson Hole Art Auction is a sure sign that collectors are still seeking quality investment pieces.  Matter of fact, the Jackson Hole Art Auction set a new record for their own sale in just their 5th year.

There were also a few other events through the weekend that included the Fall Arts Festival with quick draws and a small auction of the quick draw pieces.  The Town Square was packed as the artists completed their paintings in an hour.  Some of those artists included Chad Poppleton, Amy Ringholz, Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey, and Joe Kronenberg.  The much anticipated Western Visions Art Show and Sale put on by the National Museum of Wildlife Art took place on Friday night and Adam Harris said they were very pleased with their results.  Renowned wildlife artist Daniel Smith was the honored guest artist and his painting "Raven Rhetoric" won the People's Choice Award.  Our very own Tim Shinabarger won the coveted Red Smith Award that's selected by his fellow artists.  Both awards make for incredible collection factors as they just add to the legacy of each artist.  I can't think of a better photo-realistic wildlife artist since Robart Bateman than Daniel Smith.  Tim Shinabarger's success speaks for itself with all the major museum awards he's won and the speed in which he sold out the entire edition for "Clash of Thunder" speaks to the demand for his work.  I have said many times that if you're putting together a major collection, that Tim Shinabarger's work should be included.

Daniel Smith's "Raven Rhetoric"

I would love to hear any suggestions for topics that you would like to learn more about.  I am also going to have some guest editors write for The Western Art Dealer.  Be on the lookout for terrific articles from Curtis Tierney from Tierney Fine Arts out of Bozeman, MT and William Tylee Ranney Abbott, MA of William Abbott Fine Art.