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The Art of Wayne Baize

March 10 to June 3, 2007

Listen to the Wayne Baize Exhibit Podcast

The paintings of Wayne Baize are portraits of day-to-day life spent working close to the land. He paints with an appreciation for the relationship of cowboy and horse, mare and foal and cow and calf. Baize once described the basis for most of his artwork as a respect and love for the animals. He has been quoted as saying "The only reason I put people in my paintings is to provide an excuse to paint the animals."

Baize's artistic talent was noticed early by his parents who enrolled him in private art lessons from the age of 12 until he turned 17. His professional career as an artist really began with a one-man show in a savings and loan lobby. Every piece sold and Baize realized he could make a living as an artist from that point. It was not longer after this turning point Baize met Tom Ryan who became a friend and mentor.

Baize began his career working with colored pencil eventually adding acrylics to the artwork for a better depth of color.

He began painting with oil paint to take advantage of the richer colors. Baize describes his style of painting as "semi-loose" and his color choices seem to be earth tones and black and gray with accents of pure color.

Cattle, primarily Herefords, are included in may of Baize's paintings. "Their red coats lend so much color to a painting, and their eyes are more prominent and show so much expression when contrasted against that white face."

However, Baize's favorite subjects are horses. He has gained a reputation for his skill of accurately describing the muscling and structure of his equine subjects.

Baize has exhibited his work around the country winning many significant awards. He achieved what he described as the highest honor in his art career when he was invted to join the Cowboy Artists of America in 1995. He is currently serving as president of the organization. His art has been featured in Art of the West, Southwest Art, Western Horseman and The Quarter Horse Journal.

He lives on a ranch near Fort Davis, Texas, with his wife, Ellen, and their four children who are often seen as subjects in his paintings.

Information sources: www.studio-w.com/magsbaize.htm, www.waynebaizeca.com, www.caamuseum.com/members/active/Wayne-Baize