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The images below are directly linked to the Instagram account @smchavezart and are updated quite regularly. Feel free to visit and follow.

smchavezart

Santa Fe - Eiteljorg Museum, Briscoe Museum, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Coors Western Art, Prix de West #thefarwestshow @acostastrong

Three paintings. Three new homes. What a weekend.

Three paintings. Three new homes. What a weekend.

Quest for the West 2026 has wrapped, and I’m incredibly grateful to share that all three of my paintings sold!

It was a pleasure to return to the Eiteljorg Museum—not only to visit with collectors, patrons and museum members, but to reconnect with so many of the hardworking people who make this remarkable show possible.

I leave Indianapolis with gratitude and a little bit of awe—for the excitement, the conversations, the knowledge gained, and the honor of being part of it all.

Congratulations to everyone involved, and especially to the three collectors whose names were drawn by ballot to take a piece of Quest for the West 2026 home.

Thank you, @eiteljorgmuseum. Until next time!

There’s a curious relationship between progress an

There’s a curious relationship between progress and reflection. A liminal space for thought—a place of presence and anticipation.

It’s a place for gratitude for being here, while never forgetting where we have been. Sometimes looking back isn’t about wanting to return. It’s about understanding how far we’ve come.

On The Up
Oil on canvas
Quest for the West
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

Navigating the Path considers the choices and unce

Navigating the Path considers the choices and uncertainties that shape a life. The trail becomes more than a route through difficult country—it suggests the course we follow, the turns we take, and those moments when we stop to consider whether to continue forward or to turn back. The path ahead is visible, but its destination is not.

Navigating the Path
20x16 inches
Available at Quest for the West
Eiteljorg Museum
Call: 317.275.1341

The light is fleeting but there is still trail tha

The light is fleeting but there is still trail that lays ahead — that last light of day — when the familiar starts to fade and the unknown takes its place. So often that is just when the journey really begins.

This painting titled Night Begins to Hold will be at Quest for the West this weekend at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis. I am truly honored to once again be a part of this show. Please inquire.

#SMChavez #QuestForTheWest #EiteljorgMuseum #WesternArt #Vaquero ContemporaryWesternArt AmericanWest OilPainting

Night Begins to Hold - 36 x 36, oil on Canvas

It’s absolutely impossible. August has come and go

It’s absolutely impossible. August has come and gone and September is already such a rush. This weekend I’ll be following three new paintings to @eiteljorgmuseum for Quest for the West. Extremely proud and excited this year. Not only has the museum used my painting from last years purchase award for art work to promote this years show, I will get to see that painting displayed in the museums main gallery as part of their permanent collection. I truly wish that everyone who has helped me along this journey could join me for the moment. Nevertheless I will be thinking of you and how grateful I am. If you are on my mailing list, you will want to check your inbox very soon. I’ll be sending details about the show and the new work. 🌺

It’s back in the saddle at the Eiteljorg Museum. I

It’s back in the saddle at the Eiteljorg Museum. I’ve sent three new paintings to be part of Quest for the West this September 11 & 12, and I couldn’t be more excited to return to Indianapolis.

Last year, the Western Art Society selected one of my paintings for the Museum Purchase Award, making it part of the museum’s permanent collection.

This year, I’ll get to see it hanging in the collection for the first time—alongside some of the greats: Frank Tenney Johnson, Maynard Dixon, N.C. Wyeth, and more. It’s such a charming and inspiring collection, and I’m incredibly proud to be a part of it.

A lot of gratitude. A lot of new work. And one pretty special trip coming up. Hope to see you there—and a huge thank you to the Western Art Society and @eiteljorgmuseum.

This might seem a little odd, but for me, it’s a n

This might seem a little odd, but for me, it’s a new year. There’s something about wrapping up a solo show every August that has this effect. It’s at this time I look back on the previous 12 months of work — the successes and the failures — and take everything I’ve learned and apply it to the next 12 months.

The image above is the first painting of that next cycle. It’s the beginning of something new — the application of knowledge and wisdom gained. It’s a chance to show what I’ve learned as I continue to hone the craft of making images on canvas.

This new painting is titled Return to Big Sky, and I’m thrilled it’s headed to south-central Texas with some generous collectors. It measures 30x40 inches.

I am so happy to have this job. I really cannot be any more grateful for the experience.

Time to make another painting.

With gratitude and humility, Western Ascent now sh

With gratitude and humility, Western Ascent now showing @acostastrong, has sold out - but the show has been extended to be on display beyond the 10th as originally scheduled. The extension is in celebration of the show’s success and of the newly acquired gallery showroom @acostastrong. Please visit the gallery to take a look at this amazing new space with more details to come. We would love for you to see the show. 🌺

5 to 7 @acostastrong TONIGHT. See you there friend

5 to 7 @acostastrong TONIGHT. See you there friends!!! 🌺🌺🌺

5 to 7 tonight @acostastrong pick up your signed s

5 to 7 tonight @acostastrong pick up your signed show poster on the house. See you there!

Now showing. Public reception Friday 5 to 7 @acost

Now showing. Public reception Friday 5 to 7 @acostastrong. Six paintings still available by fixed price draw. Please contact the gallery to get in on the fun!

@westernartcollector

It seems that there was a slight issue that preven

It seems that there was a slight issue that prevented people in some regions to place an order due to a shipping detail. That issue has been fixed and all orders are running smooth. For those that did place a successful order, thank you! Shirts will be shipping early next week just after this weekends Western Ascent receptions @acostastrong in Santa Fe. Please, swing by the reception this Friday 5 to 7. And be sure to wear your shirt lol. THANK YOU! See you Friday!

Order at www.paintingsofthewest.com/shop or visit my Story for a direct link.

Back by popular demand! Visit paintingsofthewest.c

Back by popular demand! Visit paintingsofthewest.com/shop to join the fun. Sale pricing thru Monday to celebrate my current solo show Western Ascent @acostastrong . Reception this Friday 5 to 7.

@shirtpoptees

Now showing. Public reception this Friday 5 to 7.

Now showing. Public reception this Friday 5 to 7. Live fixed price draw for several paintings. Contact @acostastrong for more info. Hope to see you there. Link in stories.

Now showing @acostastrong public reception this Fr

Now showing @acostastrong public reception this Friday 5 to 7. Six paintings will be available for fixed price draw. Contact 505.453.1825 to get in on the fun and a ballot drop. We would love to see you there. 🌺

#westernart #smchavezart

Opening tomorrow. Public artist reception Friday,

Opening tomorrow. Public artist reception Friday, August 7 @acostastrong RSVP for pre-reception details. Can’t wait to show you the new paintings.

I’ve been busy with almost 20 new paintings to sha

I’ve been busy with almost 20 new paintings to share with you. Opening in a matter of days on August 1 @acostastrong on Santa Fe’s Canyon Road. Not only are there a range of sizes, but I think you are bound to find some surprise with this group of paintings. Artist reception Friday August 7. Private RSVP on August 6. Please reach out for details.

August 1-10, @acostastrong DM for reception detail

August 1-10, @acostastrong DM for reception details. 🌺

I had four primary emotions during my first-ever d

I had four primary emotions during my first-ever demo — at Prix de West, no less. First: I got this, no problem. Thirty-five minutes in: Oh crap, I’m never going to finish. One hour in: Who am I, and where are these words out of my mouth coming from? And finally, as the demo was concluding: I have no idea how I just finished this painting.

I would sincerely like to thank everyone who came to watch the demo. It really did mean a lot to me to have your support and interest. While the whole demo was recorded I started editing it and I am afraid it may take me forever to get it done. Please let me know if you are truly interested in seeing the demo produced into something actually watchable.

This photo from my Prix de West demo captures some

This photo from my Prix de West demo captures something I still can’t quite put into words — the sheer joy of being part of this event. My gratitude to everyone at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, its staff, and its supporters runs deeper than I know how to say. To show work in a venue like this, alongside artists of this caliber — it really is a dream of a lifetime. Many, many thank-yous to everyone who dropped a ballot this year. Still emotionally touched and reliving every moment — and already looking forward to Prix de West 2027. Can’t wait to see you there.

Best of luck to all the fellow artists @nationalco

Best of luck to all the fellow artists @nationalcowboymuseum Prix de West tonight!! 🍀

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From The Blog

WESTERN ASCENT CATALOG IS HERE! July 28, 2026
Solo Show August 2026 June 2, 2026
Prix de West 2026 June 2, 2026

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