Rowe Fine Art Gallery says, “You Can Do It.” When you think of June, you probably think of dads and grads. (and maybe brides, but that’s another story.) What do the two have in common? Plenty of bravado…with a side of fortitude.

 It also takes a certain amount of bravery and a whole lot of encouragement to make a living as a fine artist, and when you discuss career trajectories with a creative, they will frequently cite a person or moment that gave them the courage to pursue their dreams. For wildlife sculptor and gallery owner Ken Rowe, those people were his wife, Monica Rowe, and renowned sculptor Ken Payne. One of Ken’s most recent sculptures, which will make its precast debut on Friday, June 2, during the opening reception for You Can Do It!, was inspired by Monica and Ken Payne. 

“You Can Do It” (Currently Pre-Cast) 5.5”H x 6”W x 3”D Highly Collectible Limited Edition Bronze of 99 by Artist Ken Rowe

You Can Do It! also happens to be the name of the new sculpture. It features three Gambel’s quail chicks, including one who’s trying to summon the courage to make a leap of faith. “The Gambel’s quail chick that is about to make the move of his life represents my decision to go from being a taxidermist to a full-time bronze sculptor,” explains Ken. “The two chicks on the tin can represent my wife, Monica, and artist Ken Payne telling me, ‘You can do it!’ Thanks to them, I did.”

“Young Maiden” 21”H x 10”W x 8”D Original one-of-a-kind gourd sculpture by Artist Shirley Eichten Albrecht

For sculptor Shirley Eichten Albrecht, it was a high school teacher who gave her the courage to reach for the stars. “There are many people who played a role in my development as an artist,” says Shirley, “but I have to say that it all started with my high school art teacher. She was always there for me. If there was an art project that needed to be done, she asked me to do it. She gave me the courage to create and to pursue an art degree, which gave me the tools to continue with my art.”

Sculptor Joshua Tobey is in a unique position: He followed in the footsteps of his father, sculptor Gene Tobey, who passed away in 2006. Joshua recently took a trip down memory lane when he completed a larger-than-life version of First Step, a foal bronze he completed in 2007.

“First Step” (Life Size Foal) Picture in bronze coming soon! Dimensions: 57”H (Nose to Tail) x 76”L x 49”W (Front) x 58”W (Rear) Bronze Edition of 20 by Artist Josh Tobey

“The original concept for this horse came to me about a year after my father died,” Joshua recalls. “There was a day I had to try to get over it. And take that ‘first step’ toward returning to positive thoughts and life. Looking at the pictures of this new version of that sculpture, I think of just how many big pieces I’ve made for my dad, both before and after he died, and all that I’ve made for myself…. That first step is tough, but life is great.”

For painter Jen Farnsworth, the encouragement she needed came from Ken and Monica Rowe.

“Diana the Desert Coyote” 22”H x 28”W Original Oil Painting by Artist Jen Farnsworth

“Monica and Ken embody the spirit of encouragement for all the gallery’s seventeen artists, and I have been a lucky recipient of their generous support,” says Jen. “I was thrilled to be invited to join the gallery seven years ago. Monica and Ken understood my life-long love of wildlife, but when it came to deciding what wildlife I would paint for the gallery first, they simply told me to paint from my heart. What came to mind was the icon of the Southwest, the coyote. I was a bit nervous about this because the gallery had never had a painter focus on the coyote before. And my coyotes were not your average coyotes but wildly colorful, mischievous coyotes! But the first coyote I brought to the gallery went to his new home the very next day. This never would have happened without the encouragement and trust of Ken and Monica.”

“Hope” 3 ¼"H x 7/8"W Sterling Silver Pendant by Artist Liam Herbert

But artists aren’t just the recipients of encouragement. Sometimes, they are the ones hoping to provide inspiration in a world that can be challenging. In regards to his Hope pendant, sculptor Liam Herbert says, “As an artist, I feel hope gives us strength, courage and wisdom to make a difference in our lives and in the lives of those we touch. I want people who wear this pendant to feel like they always have hope.”

And Kim Kori, in her sculpture titled Search Party, chose to depict courage and bravery through one of nature’s most humble creatures: the chipmunk.

“Search Party” 10.5”H x 12”W x 7”D Highly Collectible Limited Edition Bronze of 60 by Artist Kim Kori

“In this piece, it’s autumn,” says Kim. “The chipmunk needs to gather food. It was a dry summer; nuts and seeds aren’t plentiful. So he’s off to search for greener pastures. As he begins his hike through the forest, he meets a tree frog who offers his assistance as a lookout. It can be dangerous in the dark woods. And a young bird who has lost his mother is given a lift in return for watching the chipmunk’s back.Despite their differences, these three band together. They now have hope and are encouraged to move on to a good life.”

“Evening Resonance” 11”H x 14”W Original Oil on Linen Board by Artist Lynn Heil

You Can Do It! marks the continuation of a year-long celebration of the art of storytelling. When you come right down to it, artists are storytellers, using paint, clay and precious metals the same way a writer uses words. There’s a story behind each of the paintings, sculptures and pieces of jewelry in the gallery – stay tuned as some of those stories are told throughout the year.

From everyone at Rowe Fine Art Gallery, Happy Father’s Day and congratulations to the Class of 2023. We promise you can do it!

Rowe Fine Art Gallery represents traditional and contemporary southwestern artists. The gallery, located under the bell tower in Patio de las Campanas at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  For more information, call 928-282-8877

“Victorian Style on Union St.” 16”H x 12”W Original Oil Painting with Palette Knife by Artist Dane Chinnock