The Phippen Art Show

'Quick Draw'

I got to be an Indian Maiden
for 45 minutes! LOL!

Prescott, Arizona (the place I call home) is home to the Annual Memorial Day Weekend Western Art Show Sponsored by the Phippen Art Museum. This was the 34th annual show held at the Prescott courthouse square. The show features more than 130 of the best Western artists from across the nation at this prestigious outdoor art show.

Gary working on a practice sketch before the Quick Draw.

One of the most exciting events at the show is the 'Quick Draw'. This fast-paced event is a 45-minute, timed demonstration by 15 to 20 artists creating a piece of art in front of the public starting with a completely blank canvas. The pieces are then auctioned to the audience.


Since I live in Prescott, it was convenient for Idaho Artist, Gary Holland, to ask me to model live for him during the Quick Draw. Most of the artists painted from photographs or pictures, but Gary wanted to use a live model. I thought it would be an interesting adventure, so I agreed to do it. Of course, Gary wanted me to fit the part, so I requested the help of a local retail store, Black Arrow (Pendleton), because they sell beautiful Indian apparel. They loaned us a shawl, choker, and feather fan – perfect. Being that my face leans more toward my father’s Filipino features, rather than my mother’s Paqua Yaqui Indian features we needed to do something that brought out the indian part of me. I think the outfit helped a lot.

Pretty amazing work in only 45 minutes!

Modeling like that was harder than I thought it would be. I discovered that sitting still for 45 minutes without moving creates all sorts interesting annoyances in and around the body. LOL! I think every artist needs to sit for a painting session in order to appreciate what live models go through.


Once the 45 minute painting session ended, the artists had 15 minutes to put their painting into a frame, then proceed over to the stairs in front of the courthouse to wait their turn to hold up their painting in front of the crowd of people as the auctioneer works his magic.

Click on photo to see enlarged image.
Gary is sitting on the far right holding his painting.

Click on photo to see enlarged image.
I love this picture - the artists look exhausted
after an intense session of painting.
Well, I guess they could also be either bored or nervous, too.

Here is Gary holding up his painting,
walking back and forth in front of the crowd.

It was so fun to be a part of it. When it was Gary’s turn to present his painting you could feel the energy in the crowd change. The bidding climbed quickly, starting from $100. Gary’s painting ended up being the highest ticket for the auction - - selling for $2,400! Very Fun!

It was pretty intense for the most part, but once the event was over and the bidding was all said and done there were SMILES FROM EAR TO EAR from both the artists and the collectors.

Please visit Gary Holland's website:
http://www.hollandgallery.com/

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The Phippen Art Show