BLOG

Manitou Gallery artist Walter Wilson passed away at his home in Tubac, Arizona, on Friday December 16th. His family was with him, and his passing was peaceful.

Walter completed his last two paintings -- "Young Cheyenne Boy" and "Young Cheyenne Girl" -- for Manitou's recent retrospective show of his work.

Our Canyon Road gallery will continue to exhibit the works of Walter Wilson.

Join us at our 225 Canyon location this Friday for the opening of Walter Blakelock Wilson's 66 year retrospective! The opening is from 5 to 7:30pm.

Walter Blakelock Wilson is an accomplished American painter whose paintings, spanning over six decades, reveal many important periods in painting history. Influenced by such luminaries as Marsden Hartley, Milton Avery and Maynard Dixon, Walter Wilson’s work reflects a style that is at once both familiar and his own. Inspired as a boy by the paintings of his great grandfather, Ralph Albert Blakelock, Walter took to painting at a very early age, painting his first commissioned work when he was 14.  Blakelock the elder was said to be one of the most unique of the Hudson River Valley School painters, which greatly influenced the younger aspiring artist.

Walter Wilson, Old Acoma Church, oil, 18" x 24" 

Walter Blakelock Wilson is an accomplished American painter whose paintings, spanning over six decades, reveal many important periods in painting history. Influenced by such luminaries as Marsden Hartley, Milton Avery and Maynard Dixon, Walter Wilson’s work reflects a style that is at once both familiar and his own. Inspired as a boy by the paintings of his great grandfather, Ralph Albert Blakelock, Walter took to painting at a very early age, painting his first commissioned work when he was 14.  Blakelock the elder was said to be one of the most unique of the Hudson River Valley School painters, which greatly influenced the younger aspiring artist.

Born in 1929, Wilson graduated with honors from Colgate University in 1951. While serving in the Air Force during the Korean War, Wilson painted portraits of generals, local Japanese people and murals depicting Air Force history. Maintaining a pilot’s license well into his seventies, many of Wilson’s landscapes are aerial views, a most unique vantage point for landscape painting.  Walter returned to the U.S. in 1956 to head the art department at the Fountain Valley School of Colorado in Colorado Springs where he and his wife Patty settled to raise their six children.

Wilson's portraits and landscapes have made their way into over 300 corporate and private collections. The body of work on display for this retrospective spans over 30 years and includes the finest paintings from the artist's collection of portraits, landscapes and architectural imagery. More than 30 of Wilson’s existing works will be on display for the retrospective. In addition, a limited number of new works will be unveiled for the first time.

Opening November 18th, at our 225 Canyon Road gallery from 5-7:30pm.

Several hundred guests enjoyed Manitou Galleries grand opening of our Canyon Road location. Here are some photos from the evening.

Guests chat with artist Walter Wilson during his book signing.

Photographer Gregg Albracht talks with visitors Friday evening.

Guests seemed to enjoy the expanded gallery space.

Bronze sculptors Jim Eppler and Star York share a laugh with Canyon Road gallery director John Bygott.

Manitou Galleries on Canyon Road just this week put the final touches on our expanded gallery space. So this Friday, it's time for a party -- our official Grand Opening.

Come and join us Friday, June 24, from 5-8 p.m. for music, wine, beer, and a big 'ole sloppy barbecue. (Don't wear white!)

Descending Over Acoma -- Walter Wilson

Several of our artists are expected to be here, including photographer Gregg Albracht, bronze sculptors Jim Eppler and Steve Worthington, and painters Bruce Cody, Sally Delap-John, and Walter Wilson (who will also be signing books). Come meet some of the artists who you may only have known from a name on a gallery tag.

Partners -- Gregg Albracht