Jenna Von Benedikt’s paintings capture the essence of Ethereal Summer, a joint show at Gallery Wild that opens on August 18. Von Benedikt grew up outside of London, where she worked at stables in return for riding lessons. When her family emigrated to Utah when she was 16 years old, her connection to living things only deepened.Jenna Von Benedikt, Resilience, oil on panel, 24 x 18"

Her work often features crisply rendered “birds, beasts and bugs” against abstract impressionist backgrounds.

“For me, it’s more about creating the atmosphere. The subject isn’t meant to capture a precise location,” says Von Benedikt. “It’s more about the feeling that subject gives as icons of nature, both symbolically and the important role they play [in nature]. I think we see ourselves in some of these creatures and feel an intrinsic connection to them. We always stop in our tracks when we see something like a hummingbird and I think that’s what we need now more than ever.”Jenna Von Benedikt, Sands of Time Bound Us, oil on panel, 48 x 24"

There will be plenty of hummingbirds on display at Gallery Wild a favorite subject for the artist and her collectors. She will also show joyful works that feature bison, antelope and a handful of landscapes.

She’s looking forward to sharing wall space with fellow artist, Caleb Meyer. “His work is very expressive and I especially like his use of color. I think that is what connects our pieces together for this show.”Caleb Meyer, Feels Like Summer, oil on canvas, 60 x 60"

In 2011, after only three years of teaching art and painting earnestly whenever he could, Meyer, who lives in Montana, decided to take the leap and pursue painting full time. The father of three small children struck a deal with his wife that he would have to earn as much painting as he did teaching—a figure, he jokes, that wasn’t all that hard to achieve.

Meyer never did have to go back to teaching and, in the ensuing years, has only further developed his craft into the distinctive style his palette knife paintings have today—bold, animated works that depict iconic mountains of the Northern Rockies as well as cityscapes, still lifes and the purely abstract.Caleb Meyer, Wild West, oil on canvas, 36 x 36"

“I’ve tried to keep a fresh perspective on my subjects and be flexible,” says Meyer, “But every painting is essentially abstract,” adds the artist, who will turn a representational painting upside down and sideways to ensure it’s still appealing. —

Gallery Wild
80 W. Broadway Avenus • Jackson, WY 83001
(307) 203-2322 • www.gallerywild.com

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