While the California town of Tehachapi isn’t close to the coast, conjuring images of the classic “California vibe,” the area is ripe with inspiring landscape scenery. Its desert, mountainous landscape—populated with ranches—has attracted artists for years. It’s been emboldened even more by the annual Art Tehachapi art show and event, organized by the Tehachapi Arts Commission.
Attendees at the 2024 VIP Opening night enjoy a plethora of works inspired by the Tehachapi, California, area. Courtesy of the Tehachapi Arts Commission.
Now in its fifth edition, the event brings together over 50 artists, working in varying painting mediums, who gather inspiration from the Tehachapi area for their show pieces. “We encourage artists to paint the area,” says Dwight F. Dreyer, founder and CEO of the Tehachapi Arts Commission, who adds that the mission behind the event is to establish Tehachapi, California, as a destination for representational fine art artists and collectors. While many artists depict specific scenery from the Tehachapi landscape, some find inspiration from different elements of the area hat speak to their desired subject matter.
Derek Harrison, Above It All, oil on linen, 18 x 30 in.
The featured artist this year is Derek Harrison, who is known for his figurative art in the Western genre. “I want to show the slightly more subtle side of ranch life in the West—the intimate moments that can be quiet and contemplative,” the artist shares. “I love the dramatic but am more drawn to the introspective moments that express certain emotions.”
We see this in Harrison’s show painting Above it All,depicting a cowgirl alongside her horse. “This is a painting I did of my friend, cowgirl Kate Maddaloni,” Harrison explains. “The painting was based off a day we spent at her ranch in Arroyo Grande, California. I shot numerous reference photos with her out there, and numerous reference photos all around Tehachapi, as well as some plein air studies.”
Karen Winters, Coastal Crescendo, oil, 16 x 20 in.
Participating in the event for the first time is still life and portrait painter, Pamela Phillips. “My [still life] Lemons with Blue Vase, was simply inspired by the floral fabric I used for the background,” she says. “My husband and I moved to Tehachapi from Maryland eight years ago, [and we find] the mountains, wildlife and big sky to be a constant source of inspiration. We are lucky to be here.”
Returning artist, Karen Winters, also chose to create paintings that honor the Tehachapi area in a different manner. “Two of my paintings, Coastal Crescendo and Shadows of the Titans, represent polar opposites in terms of mood. One features thundering exciting surf that changes moment by moment, and the other portrays the calm, cool and timeless serenity of a Sequoia grove—two of the many faces of California. “Although my pieces don’t represent the immediate vicinity of the Tehachapi area, I’m aware that many Tehachapi residents love to travel and enjoy other beautiful parts of California, as I do, so I thought it would be fun to include.”
Pamela Phillips, Lemons with Blue Vase, oil on board, 24 x 20 in.
To enjoy the full spectrum of Art 2025 Tehachapi, attend the VIP Opening on Friday, November 14, when awards are announced, and the free public show on November 15. The event is hosted at the Aspen Builders Inc. Activity Center. Head to the event website for tickets to the VIP Opening, and for additional details. —
Art 2025 Tehachapi
November 14-15, 2025
Aspen Builders Inc. Activity Center
410 W. D Street, Tehachapi, CA 93561
(626) 945-3753, www.artstehachapi.org
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