Altamira Fine Art in Jackson Hole, WY is pleased to present an exhibition of new work by Rocky Hawkins June 17-July 1, 2025.
Please join us for the Artist Reception on Thursday, June 19th from 5-7pm.
Into the West: Then and Now
“I was born and raised in the West and the history seems to be in my blood. I live and paint on a historic 1860’s Montana Ranch. I am interested in the architecture; how fast and interesting towns arose. The lifestyle was like nothing I can compare. It excites me.”
-Rocky Hawkins
Rocky Hawkins is drawn to working in series. Once an idea catches his interest, he pursues it with great curiosity, immersing himself in research including films, books, music and visuals that inform his work. Deeply rooted in the West, he is inspired by his own surroundings on his ranch in Montana, as well as the history and lore of the “Old West”. In his recent work, Rocky approaches ideas, subjects and icons that are familiar and re-imagines them into his own expressionistic abstract style. It’s a fresh interpretation of an era so familiar to the history of the American West. A quote from early western film actor Tom Mix played in the back of Hawkin’s mind while creating his latest paintings: “The Old West is not a certain place in a certain time . . . it's a state of mind. It's whatever you want it to be.”
The works in his latest exhibition were largely inspired by the 1968 spaghetti western, Once Upon a Time in the West, which has remained Hawkins favorite Western since his first watched it while in art school in the early seventies. “Late one night while working on an art assignment with the TV on, I was taken by the unique visuals, music and ambiance of this movie. I had never seen it before and to my surprise I was deeply captivated with its off- beat approach.”, Hawkins says.
As one of the premier painters in the American West, Rocky’s work reaches beyond typical representations of the region. Unafraid to take risks, he is passionate about the relationships of the colors, textures and shapes where imagery eventually emerges. Hidden beneath the finished painting are layers of conceptions, struggle and paint that were applied during the creative process, revealing the piece that we ultimately see.
Rocky Hawkins has participated in: The Russell: The Sale to Benefit the Museum, Yellowstone Art Museum Auction, Santa Fe Art Auction, and Museum of the Rockies, among others. His paintings are included in numerous private and cooperate collections. Rocky has been the subject of articles in national publications including the June 2025 issue of Western Art Collector and Western Art & Architecture June / July 2025 issue.
Pre-sales are available. Contact the gallery for details, 307-739-4700/ connect@altamiraart.com.
