Whitney Michelle Hall
Biography
b. 1986
Whitney Hall’s oil paintings combine the inspiration of the wild Northern Rockies and the intense color of the Southwest. Born and raised in San Diego, Whitney studied under a wide variety of contemporary California impressionists, expressionists, and colorists, focusing her studies mainly on figurative drawing and painting. After moving to Montana in 2008 she was introduced to Russian Impressionism and the Northern Rockies’ deep legacy of animal painting, which changed the course of her work from human to beast. Despite her four-legged subject matter, her approach is still figurative at its root, with a focus on the design and character of each animal she paints. Today her colorful animal compositions reflect this mixed art heritage with their constant push and pull between technique and intuition, form and expression, harmony and contrast.
In 2010 Whitney was the youngest artist to be juried into the C.M. Russell Art Auction. In 2011, she was published in Southwest Art Magazine as one of “21 Under 31: Young Artists to Collect Now” and received the Award of Excellence in the Oil Painters of America’s 2011 Western Regional Exhibition. In 2019 she received the prestigious 2-Dimensional Award at the Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale and in the same auction her painting was the second-highest selling piece of the night, coming in at over three times retail. Her work has since been juried into many national shows and auctions, including the Russell Auction, the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale, the Coors Western Art Show Club, and multiple museum shows. She is a Signature Member of the American Women Artists.
Statement & Process
Coming from a figurative background, I see in all animals the same form and movement that first fascinated me in humans. Whether they are birds, wildlife or horses, animals come in a never-ending variety of colors, shapes, and expressions, and I don’t believe I could ever grow tired of painting them. Through my paintings I want to give a new perspective of the creatures that walk with us everyday and fill our world with life and sound and texture.
I also bring to my work a fascination with color theory. I carefully design the palette for each piece to balance the harmony and contrast of the colors. The result is a painting full of rich intense color but also bringing a subtlety that a more aggressive approach to color would not fully showcase.
Resume
Auctions & Exhibitions
- Celebration of Fine Art
Scottsdale, Arizona, 2015 - 2020 - Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale
Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody, Wyoming; 2015 - 2022 - The Brinton 101
Brinton Museum, Big Horn Wyoming; 2015 - 2022 - Miniatures by the Lake Small Works Show
Coeur d'Alene Galleries, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; 2013 - 2019 - Looking West: An Exhibition Highlighting Works by American Women Artists
American Women Artists Annual Exhibition; Steamboat Art Museum, Steamboat Springs, Colorado; 2019 - Full Sun: AWA Artists Illuminate the Haggin Museum
American Women Artists Annual Exhibition; Haggin Museum, Stockton, California; 2018 - Coors Western Art Show and Sale: Gallery at the National Western Club
Denver, Colorado; 2016 - 2017 - Art for Horses Art Show & Sale
Parker, Colorado; 2016 - Mountain Oyster Club Contemporary Art Show & Sale
Tucson, Arizona; 2016 - The Russell Auction
C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, Montana; 2014 - Icons of the West National Exhibition
Dana Gallery, Missoula, Montana; 2014 - Whitefish Summer Art Social
Ironhorse Country Club, Whitefish, Montana; 2012 - 2014 - Western Masters Art Show & Sale
Great Falls, Montana; 2011 - 2013 - Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition
Lee Youngman Galleries, Calistoga, California; 2011 - C.M. Russell Art Auction
C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, Montana; 2010
Awards
- Wells Fargo Two-Dimensional Award
2019 Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale
(more information) - Award of Excellence
Oil Painters of America's 2011 Western Regional Juried Exhibition - "21 Under 31" Artists to Watch Now
Southwest Art Magazine, September 2011
Articles & Publications
- "38th Annual Buffalo Bill Art Show Results"
Fine Art Connoisseur, October 2019 - "$40,000 Awarded at the Opening of the 38th Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale!"
Rendezvous Royale Blog, August 2019 - "Full Sun: American Women Artists Illuminate the Haggin Museum"
Fine Art Connoisseur, July 2018 - Featured Artwork: "Whitney Hall Presented by the Celebration of Fine Art"
Fine Art Connoisseur, - "Art of the Horse" Artist Focus
Western Art Collector, May 2013 - Artist Focus
American Art Collector, May 2012 - Feature Article, "Get Out" Art & Culture Magazine
Bozeman Chronicle, Bozeman Montana, September 2011 - "21 Under 31" Artists to Watch Now
Southwest Art Magazine, September 2011 - "Ex Arte Equinus IV" Limited Print Art Book
Presented by Art Horse Magazine, March 2011
Memberships
- American Women Artists
Signature Member - Society of Animal Artists
Juried Associate Member
Education
- 2004 - 2007: Palomar College
Focus on Illustration and Oil Painting - 2007: Watts Atelier of the Arts
Focus on Figurative Drawing - 2010 - 2011: Robert Moore Studio
Workshops & Mentorship
