Non-Profit Org.
Permit #402
U.S. Postage
Phoenix, AZ
PA I D
REST
NOthe Weary
for
Mike Cassel begins SPRING 06
preparations for
41st Sale weekend
M
Splendid
SAGUARO
ike Cassel takes the reigns as
chairman of the 41st Annual
Cowboy Artists of America Sale &
Exhibition, which will take place on Oct. 20,
Men ’ s Arts Council
2006. By day, Cassel, a CPA, works as chief
operating officer for Wick Pilcher Insurance.
Mike and Connie Cassel make their home in Q: How did you come to lead the show for Moyers oil selected for 2006 poster
Cave Creek, Ariz. the CA’s 41st year?
Phoenix, Arizona 85004-1685
A: I have been actively involved with the CA
J
1625 North Central Avenue
ohn Moyers’ award-
Find out just what led Cassel Sale for six years, and it just seems to be a winning oil, Caught in
to leave the comfort of his natural progression to chair the event. the Open, will be the poster
office for the chaos of I consider the opportunity to chair the CA image for the Cowboy
www.caashow.org
Sale a privilege and feel honored that the
organizing one of the largest Men’s Arts Council asked me to take on
Artists of America’s 41st
Annual Sale & Exhibition.
Western art shows around. this role. Moyers, who currently
serves as president of the
48” x 34”. Courtesy of the artist.
Q: How long have you been interested in Q: What do you like best about the Sale Buffalo Pony Prize, R.S. Riddick, 2005. Gouache on archival Arches museum mount,
Western art? organization, won both the
weekend? Gold in the oil category and
A: I have always preferred Western art over A: I really enjoy the entire weekend and being the Western Art Associates’
other subject matter, but my involvement able to spend time with the CAs, patrons, Kieckhefer Award for Best
with the CAA Sale has given me a much buyers and fellow MAC members. However, in Show for this painting
deeper appreciation of Western art and the the couple of hours that surround the actual last year.
artists who create it. I am fascinated by the Sale on Friday night is probably my favorite For Moyers, this piece
history of the American West, and each part. You can feel the excitement in the air developed differently from
piece of Western art provides a glimpse and the anticipation as we open the doors to Caught in the Open, John Moyers, 2005. Oil on linen, 36" x 72". Courtesy of the artist.
how he usually works. He
of that history. the exhibit and progress through the final was inspired by the majestic saguaros in the choice. Linen is just one material from which
Q: How long have you served on the CA sounding of the horn. Saguaro National Park in Southern Arizona. artists’ canvases are made.
committee? Q: Looking ahead, what do you envision for “I lean toward the thicker canvas,” he
A: I have been involved for six years, and this “I started wanting to paint all the reveals. “I just like the rougher texture.
your Sale weekend?
coming Sale will mark my seventh. vertical lines of the cactus and then Moyers, who has been with the CAA for
A: I envision another great CA Sale in 2006.
developed a story out of that,” he more than 10 years, is delighted to have his
Q: Do you and Connie collect? If so, whose Our committee will work hard to make
enhancements to our current activities that
says. “It’s backwards from the way I first poster.
pieces do you own? usually do it – I built the painting “It’s an honor to even be considered,” he
will improve the overall experience for
A: No, my wife and I would not be considered around the cactus.” - John Moyers says. “It’s great.”
everyone involved. We feel the CA Sale at
collectors. We have picked up a few pieces
Phoenix Art Museum is one of the premier
over the years and recently acquired bronzes The painting depicts a lone horseman who To purchase this poster,
western art sales in the world, and we
by John Coleman and Bill Nebeker. This art spots some Apache on the horizon and starts call Call Kelly Whitton at
strive towards having all who attend feel
collecting can become infectious, and we his getaway.
plan to add pieces gradually over the next
the same way.
Caught in the Open is painted on a linen
602.307.2207 or Ruth Kaspar
few years. You can reach Mike Cassel at canvas, which is often Moyers’ material of at 602.252.8382.
mcassel@wickpilcherins.com.
The Brand of Distinction The Brand of Distinction
cowboyartistsofamerica.com
Collecting CA News
ART
I
Not just a pastime of the wealthy
f you’ve ever roamed the halls of a
gallery, museum or art sale and
thought that owning those treasures
It also helps to work with reputable
galleries and dealers. Their role is to filter out
the inferior art and provide a selection of high-
Mike and Sheila Ingram
with CA Martin Grelle at the
Overland Gallery
INTERVIEW WITH A COLLECTOR
Mike Ingram of El Dorado Jackson shows. We do really enjoy the
CA show and the artists and learning
Herb Mignery Wins NSS Honor
Herb Mignery was awarded the National
Sculpture Society’s Gold Medal and
Maurice B. Hexter Prize at the 72nd
Annual Exhibition Awards in New York last
December. The NSS is the oldest
organization for professional sculptors in
the United States. Mignery is a fellow of
the NSS.
Mignery’s winning bronze, Arapaho
Dancer, measures 28 by 12 inches and
depicts an Arapaho man in native dress
was for someone else – someone quality pieces, which simplifies the process for Holdings, a long-time
more about them. performing a “crazy dance” with the
with a much larger bank account – think again. first-timers and seasoned collectors alike. And supporter of the Cowboy Crazy Society of the Arapaho.“The Crazy
“Absolutely anyone can start their own many galleries will let you trade in pieces down Artists of America and Q: Which CAs are your favorites? Society was made up of older warriors, and
collection,” insists Christine Mollring, art the road should your tastes change as your
consultant and former owner of Trailside collection grows.
collector of their artwork, A: Oh boy, oh boy. It really is hard to pick. they performed crazy, wild dances,” says
We have eight or 10 of Martin Grelle’s Mignery. “You might call them entertainers
Galleries. “You just have to buy things within Mollring also suggests developing a well- shares how he began
pieces, as well as work by Bruce more than anything – they were comedians
your budget.” rounded collection over time. “Try to collect the building his own collection Greene and Bill Owen. We have more essentially.”
But how do you shake off the intimidation of best examples within your budget of what you decades ago into the 200- than 200 pieces in all, which includes
glaringly white walls and echoing galleries? like,” she says.
Education is the key. The first step in making Three-dimensional art always complements
plus piece showstopper work by CAs and other artists. Upcoming Trail Ride
yourself the proud owner of fine art is to learn paintings, and coupling pieces by living artists it is today. The CAs soon will be dusting off their hats Herb Mignery’s bronze, Arapaho Dancer, won the NSS’s
Q: What does your collection contain? and shining their boots in preparation for Gold Medal and Maurice B. Hexter Prize last December.
about what you like. Mollring recommends with those by deceased ones further improves a A: Most of the work is by CAs. We have
reading as much as you can about whatever has collection. Q: How long have you been collecting the 2006 Trail Ride in June. Watch for photos and stories from
some pieces by deceased artists, but
Once you have made the commitment to Western art? The host ranch is the Double RL in the Trail Ride in the Summer issue of
most are by contemporary artists. We
the newsletter.
“Absolutely ANYONE can begin a collection, make sure to do your due A: Well, I’ve been collecting for 30 years – Western Colorado, which belongs to none
have paintings and bronzes, including
diligence before you make a purchase. The most I bought prints in the 1960s and 1970s other than fashion magnate Ralph Lauren.
some Colemans. We keep a lot of our
start their own collection” common mistake that people make when
purchasing art is going into it too quickly and
before I could afford originals, and I
have bought originals for the past 10 to
collection scattered around in our This 16,000-acre ranch in the San Juan
SPONSORSHIP
homes in Phoenix, Prescott, Montana Mountains near Ridgeway will be the
insists Christine Mollring, buying something without proper education. 15 years. I have really gotten into it in
and New Mexico. We are not as setting for the CA’s annual trek. AVAILABLE
Another pitfall is just collecting stuff, without the past 15 years.
ART CONSULTANT considering the collection as a whole and
fortunate as Eddie Basha to have
a gallery.
The Trail Ride has special significance
for the CA family because it is the It’s not too late to be a sponsor for
and former owner of thinking through a potential purchase. Mollring
says that is where art consultants, like her,
Q: Why does Western art appeal to you?
A: Well, the West is part of my
time each year when they come together to the 41st Annual Sale & Exhibition
Q: Was anyone key in inspiring you to reconnect as a group, renew their creativity and help keep Western
TRAILSIDE GALLERIES. come in. Especially if you are planning to spend
a lot of money on a collection, it helps to have a
background. That’s where my heart is. A
lot of Americans like to identify with the
start your collection? and have some fun, cowboy style. representational art alive for
A: I was probably inspired by Eddie
“You just have to BUY little guidance. history of the West. You find a lot of that
Basha’s collection. He said that you
future generations. Call Kelly
THINGS within your “I firmly believe that people should buy in Western art, as well as the current
West and the lifestyle of the ranch
just have to get started. I don’t know SAVE the DATE Whitton at 602.307.2207 or Ruth
what they love,” concludes Mollring. “It should exactly how he said it, but he told me Mark your calendar now for the Kaspar at 602.252.8382 to
BUDGET.” give you a buzz.” that you just start with a piece and an 41st Annual find out more about
06
Q: How long have you been attending the artist you really like. You start slowly, Cowboy Artists of America sponsorship opportunities.
Cowboy Artists of America sale? and then as you go on collecting, it
caught your eye. If you have Internet access, A: I’d say I’ve been going for probably the
Sale & Exhibition
becomes something you get caught up at Phoenix Art Museum.
you can search for biographies of artists and past eight or 10 years.
in and enjoy. Some say it is a disease,
auction records to give you a frame of reference Sale Weekend: Oct. 20 - 21, 2006 Keeping Current
but I wouldn’t say that. Eddie inspired Exhibition: Oct. 21 – Nov. 19, 2006
for pricing. Q: How many CAA pieces do you own? me as much as anything. We saw his
If you have a change of address or know
Host Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix someone who would like to be added to the
Mollring advises visiting art centers, like A: Oh golly, probably 15 or 20 that we For more information,
collection in his home before he
those in Santa Fe and Jackson Hole, going to bought at the CA show. We have Call Kelly Whitton at 602.307.2207 or mailing list, Call Kelly Whitton at 602.307.2207
opened his gallery, and that really or Ruth Kaspar at 602.252.8382.
art auctions and attending shows, such as the bought others because we also go to Ruth Kaspar at 602.252.8382.
motivated me.
Cowboy Artists of America Sale. This will help the Prix de West, Autry, Russell and
educate the eye for those wishing to expand Longtime CA supporter Eddie Basha houses his art collection in the
Zelma Basha Salmeri Gallery of Western American and Native
their collections. American Art.