Rick Stevens Painting “Near Ghost Ranch II”

This painting by Rick Stevens is a masterful exploration of the high-desert light that has captivated artists for centuries. By focusing on the raw, unedited "theatrics" of nature, the artist invites the viewer into a Northern New Mexico landscape that feels both ancient and immediate.

Here is an expanded look at this vibrant work:

The Suspended Light: A Vision of Ghost Ranch

Set in the storied terrain of Ghost Ranch, this painting is an explosion of chromatic intensity. The artist has captured a moment where the atmosphere itself seems to vibrate, rendering the rugged geology of Northern New Mexico in a "violently lush" palette.

The Landscape as Spectacle

The composition is built on a series of dramatic color contrasts that guide the eye through the wilderness. In the far distance, mountains of glowing orange are framed by deep, obsidian-blue shadows, creating a sense of immense scale and heat. To the right, a sloping hillside is flooded with cool purples and lavenders, punctuated by hidden flickers of orange that suggest the sun is catching the minerals in the soil. At ground level, the desert floor becomes a mosaic of emerald green, deep violet, and burnt orange. Dark green chamisa and juniper bushes dot the landscape, providing grounding points of reality amidst the swirling colors.

Nature on Her Own Terms

This is a landscape "not yet invaded by humans" — a glimpse of the world as it existed before modification. The artist functions as a silent observer, documenting the interplay between sun and stone. There is a sense of profound stillness here, yet the colors suggest a wild, underlying energy.

"My approach to the landscape is that of a witness seeking to understand nature on her own terms... I seek a quality of light that suspends time." - The Artist

For those who have stood among the red rocks of Abiquiú or Ghost Ranch, this painting will feel like a homecoming. It does not merely depict a view; it captures the atmospheric weight of the Southwest. The artist's ability to "suspend time" through light makes this an heirloom-quality piece for any collection focused on New Mexico's enduring natural beauty. The painting is signed in the lower right.

The painting is floated with space between the canvas and gold wood frame.

Condition: very good condition.

Provenance: this Rick Stevens Painting "Near Ghost Ranch II" is from the collection of Alexander E. Anthony, Jr. who purchased it in 2007.

Recommended Reading:

- Artists of 20th-Century New Mexico: The Museum of Fine Arts Collection by Author Unknown

- WESTERN PAINTING TODAY-Contemporary Painters of the American West by Royal B. Hassrick 

TAGS: Western Paintings, Rick Stevens