March 2014

The Antelope Valley Conservancy, an organization located in the Mojave High Desert in Northern Los Angeles County, California, is the recipient of a significant donation of a Doug Oliver canvas in March. Titled "Breathing Space" the large 30" by 48" acrylic on linen canvas depicts the landscape of the Antelope Valley as remembered by Doug when he was growing up in the area, complete with flowering Joshua Trees, desert flora and distant surrounding mountains prominent in that area's landscape. The Conservancy's mission is the acquisition and stewardship of native habitats and watershed resources in the greater Antelope Valley and high desert region. The painting was originally held in the artist's private studio collection, but the Olivers thought this particular artwork should now have a new home were it could be appreciated by a larger audience. The AV Conservancy Board of Directors are thrilled with the acquisition as the image will be used to assist in promoting the goals and objectives of the Conservancy. For more information see: www.avconservancy.org. 

"Breathing Space"    By Doug Oliver

February 2014

Empire 100 Western Art Show and Sale 2014

While attending this year's Empire 100 Art Show in Tucson in February, it was announced that Doug Oliver would be the featured artist for the Empire's 15th Annual 2015 Show! As this event is a prestigious one, it is indeed a significant honor to be selected from a group of outstanding artists from across the West that participates each year. This year, more than 400 entries were juried into the show and only 100 of those were selected for display. Doug's image, "Yuccas Trail" sold at opening evening's reception. We will post the Empire 100 Western Art Show and Sale website when artwork for the 2015 becomes available next year.

February 2014

The Empire 100 Western Art Show, sponsored by the Empire Ranch Foundation was another juried show that I submitted three pieces for the jury.  This was my fourth year to be juried into the show that saw 400 entries submitted by more than 125 artists throughout the West.  The jury - in accepting all three pieces - added a notation that said the “jury loved your work!”  The show is scheduled to run from February 3 to March 9, 2014 in the Jewish Community Center in Tucson, AZ.  See # 2529-07, “The Edge of Summer”;  #2535-13, Back Country Sundown”; and #2538-16, “Yucca Trail.”  All were acrylic on stretched canvas and two were gallery wraps. 

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"Back Country Sundown" 

 18x24       $2,200.

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"Yucca Trail"   

20x10        $1,100.               SOLD

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"Edge of Summer"      24x36           $3,900.

New Artist Collaboration – an on going new venture!

Montana contemporary artist Pat Lambrecht-Hould and I began with an experiment in painting together while visiting Pat’s Lakeside, Montana home, late summer, 2013.  As it started out as “a lark” it turned out to be an exciting new visual adventure for us both with really outstanding results.  Pat begins with a foundation of heavy texturing of modeling paste, mixed media that includes gold, silver and copper leafing. I paint over the background with a loose, calligraphy style of painting with southwestern subject matter that includes desert flora and high country aspens to name a few.  Finally, Pat puts a few minor finishing touches on the canvas.  We have completed eight Hould-Oliver canvases so far and now have them now consigned to the Manos Gallery in Tubac, AZ and the La Quinta Gallery of Fine Art in La Quinta, CA. The gallery owners and staff have all mentioned that they have received rave reviews from their customers and collectors alike on this new collaborative effort!  More to come! 

Chocolate Aspens     48 x 30       $5,500.          SOLD

Bloomin' Yuccas        40 x 30          $5,000.        SOLD

January 2014

Doug Oliver’s New Style and Technique?

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"Creation I"    48x36      $8,900.       SOLD

As a result of the Hould-Oliver collaborative projects, I have completed a piece for the May Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ  (www.maygallery.com) that demonstrates a loose, contemporary style using  southwestern subject matter.  The foundation here is the application of a heavy textured base and then painting in a glaze-wash before adding an impasto style over the base.  This new contemporary look may be a new, fresh direction for me and is an exciting new exploration into painting.  After forty plus years of doing this art-thing, this proves that an “old dog” CAN do new tricks!

November 2013

The Mountain Oyster Art Show sponsored for the forty-forth year its annual juried art show held in the Mountain Oyster Club in Tucson, AZ.  I submitted two images for the jury and both were accepted for the show that opened November 24, 2013 and ran to January 4, 2014.   On Opening Night both paintings were sold.  This show has grown to be one of the largest and most respected western shows in the United States.  This was my third year participating in the event and it was indeed an honor to be part of this prestigious group of artists.  See #2384-06, “Autumn” 12x16” acrylic on canvas and; #2536-14 “Sonoran Sanctuary” 24x12” acrylic on canvas.

"Sonoran Sanctuary" / 24x12 / $1,600.            SOLD

"Autumn" / 12x16 / $900.                   SOLD