16 Romantic Pieces For February

When it comes to these 16 works at the Gallery, it’s all too easy to fall in love. Scroll on and get lost in these selected works that show romance through artistry, beauty, and charm. There just might be a few you’ll be pining for.

William Whitaker (1943-2018) - “Anna Maria”, oil on panel, 10 x 8 in.

With a confident, classically-trained style, William Whitaker was a figurative painter whose technique and polish elevated his work to another dimension of realism.

Felipe Castañeda (b. 1933) - “Gracia”, black marble, 28 x 14 x 13 ½ in.

Born in Michoacán, Mexico, Felipe Castañeda has enjoyed an influential career centered around capturing the female essence. His work evokes femininity and fertility through simple poses that he crafts into grand artistic expressions. 

Bettina Steinke (1913-1999) - “Pink Dreams”, oil on canvas, 15 x 9 in.

Famed portraitist and commercial illustrator, Bettina Steinke, brings incredible softness to this painting of a woman in repose. Its looser style lends it a fresh and dreamy feeling, as the title suggests.

Pavel P. Sokolov-Skalia (1899-1961) - “Still Life”, oil, 24 x 33 in.

Soviet artist Pavel Sokolov-Skalia rose to prominence during the height of WWI and the December Revolution in Russia. He was known for illustrating nationalist posters boosting wartime morale and other USSR endeavors, though he also produced beautiful still lifes and landscapes.

Peter Moran (1841-1914) - “Herding Cattle”, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 in.

London-born painter and etcher Peter Moran was the youngest brother of fellow artists Edward and Thomas Moran. Peter focused on pastoral scenes with brilliant skies and astonishing attention to detail, evident here in the rocky topography and even the animals’ fur.

Mardie Rees (b. 1980) - “Truth Beloved”, Ed. of 10, bronze, 15 ½ x 17 ¾ x 13 in.

 Gig Harbor-based sculptor Mardie Rees captures brief, sentimental moments of femininity and motherhood in a way that holds a subtle power. Her skill is embodied in “Truth Beloved” with an understated pose and expression that somehow says so much.

Doug Hyde (b. 1946) - “Spanish Lace”, alabaster, 10 ¾ x 11 x 5 in.

Sculptor Doug Hyde has felt a calling toward carving stone since his youth, and here he delivers a true vision in alabaster. With her head wrap blowing in a non-existent breeze, the female subject in “Spanish Lace” peers out with an indomitable gaze that reflects the artist’s passion and skill.

Terri Kelly Moyers (b. 1953) - “Spring’s Promise”, oil on board, 24 x 18 in.

A master at capturing light, Terri Kelly Moyers’ oeuvre is full of dramatic works that flaunt the feminine. When painting, Moyers takes her time, making sure to emphasize every detail, often featuring draped clothing and romantic scenery.

David Leffel (b. 1931) - “Pear and Birdfeeder”, oil/panel, 12 ¾ x 10 in.

An acclaimed artist of the Rembrandt style, instructor, and mentor to many, David Leffel’s skill could make anything look romantic. Yet this classic Leffel still life emphasizes the mood with its long shadows and sumptuous fruits.

Gene Kloss - “Rain in Taos Valley”, Ed. of 50, drypoint & aquatint, 14 x 11 in.

The chiaroscuro technique so often used by Gene Kloss lends itself to climactic landscapes that seem to stretch on for miles. Her skillful use of tones adds real weight to the storm clouds and sheets of rain pouring down over Taos.

Glenna Goodacre (1939-2020) -“End of the Dance”, Ed. of 35, bronze, 30 x 9 x 11 ½ in.

Known for her expert renderings of the human figure and faces that exude life, Glenna Goodacre delivers the same iconic quality to “End of the Dance”. The dancer’s downward gaze and stoic expression leave the viewer wondering what she might be thinking.

Douglas Johnson (b. 1946) - “Coquelicots”, gouache/board, 3 ½ x 7 in.

Douglas Johnson’s pieces are colorful and whimsical, often referencing Santa Fe’s local landmarks, plants, and animals. Created with delightfully vibrant gouache and an illustrative style, Johnson’s pieces are each small gems.

William Berra (b. 1952) - “Dusk New Mexico”, oil on linen board, 8 x 10 in.

This landscape by William Berra almost induces a state of calm or reflection, which isn’t a rare feeling from his work. He handily captures a sense of time and place with practiced technique that preserves natural beauty.

Doel Reed (1894-1985) - “Reclining Nude”, aquatint, 10 ½ x 15 ½ in.

Both an artist and influential instructor, Doel Reed was adept in dramatic black-and-gray work. In this piece, Reed delivers a creative angle on the nude with her back to the viewer.

Laura Robb (b. 1955) - “Table with Lilies & Oranges”, oil on linen canvas, 12 x 9 in.

With a perfected personal style of stylized floral still lifes, Laura Robb has a deep understanding of her own artistic voice. Her technique too is impeccable, which she teaches to students who are lucky enough to attend her sought-after courses.

Betsy James (b. 1948) - “Migrating Cranes”, watercolor & gouache/paper, 5 x 5 in.

Author, illustrator, and a professor at the University of New Mexico, Betsy James is a multi-talented creator. James’ otherworldly landscapes spring from her rich imagination and are inspired by her love of history, anthropology, and hikes through the Southwest.

These works and many others are available at Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe. For pricing or more information, call the Gallery at (505) 982-4631 or email inquiry@matteucci.com.