Reen Axtell "Wildflower"

Hi, I’m Reen Axtell, and I’m a Colorado-based artist working in acrylic and mixed media.

I wanted to tell you a little bit about the painting you’re viewing, titled “Wildower.” I love working with vintage imagery and giving it a fresh, contemporary twist — especially when it comes to themes of the American West, which is exactly why I was excited to be part of this “Tilting West” show at the Arvada Center Galleries.

When I begin a painting, I usually start by searching through vintage photographs. The image that inspired this piece dates back to around the early 1930s, and the moment I found it, I knew it would make a wonderful painting. I was really drawn to the relationship between the horse and rider. There’s such a sense of trust, strength, and partnership between them.

I also loved the idea of this rodeo cowgirl stepping into a world that was traditionally male-dominated. She feels tough and fearless, but still graceful and feminine — and that contrast inspired the title “Wildower.” She’s beautiful, but a little wild too.

From there, I built the painting through many layers of acrylic paint, collage, photo transfer, texture, and pattern. I spend a lot of time sanding, scraping, and rebuilding the acrylic surface so little bits of earlier layers can reappear and become part of the story.

One of my favorite things about this piece is the contrast between the powerful horse and rider and the oversized owers and hummingbirds surrounding them. I wanted the painting to feel bold, colorful, and full of movement and joy.

A lot of my work is about blending nostalgia with a more modern visual language and nding new ways to tell old stories. More than anything, I hope viewers feel a sense of curiosity and fun when they spend time with this piece.

I hope you enjoy “Wildower.”  Thanks so much for listening.