Jerry Markham  A Lot Riding on This  8 x 20 oil

Opening Friday, July 10th

"This collection is inspired by the spirit of the West — its history, wildlife, landscapes, and the people who carried determination and grit into uncertain places. I’m drawn to scenes that suggest a larger story, whether it’s the music around a campfire, the wager over a billiards shot, travelers heading into the unknown, or wildlife passing through the land with its own strength and purpose.

For me, painting is a balance between telling a story and leaving enough unsaid for the viewer to bring their own meaning to it. Whether the subject is history, wildlife, or the western landscape, I’m drawn to moments that feel alive with character, movement, and possibility."

- Jerry Markham

"The Declaration of Independence remains one of history’s most powerful expressions of courage, conviction, and the desire for self-determination. In this painting, I imagined how such a celebration might have felt in a western town — fireworks overhead, streets alive with people, and a community gathered in recognition of something larger than themselves."

- Jerry Markham

"Autumn has a way of making the land feel briefly illuminated. The fall trees on our ranch were the inspiration for this painting — their golds, rusts, and warm light creating the setting for a grizzly moving through the season. I wanted the piece to carry both the beauty of fall and the quiet power of the bear."

- Jerry Markham