Lyons-based artist's canvases shine with ethereal equines, majestic wildlife

Nov. 10—The western United States has always provided vivid fodder for creatives.

From enchanting mesas captured by photographer Ansel Adams on black-and-white film to the burnt-orange cliffs brought to life by painter Georgia O'Keeffe, endless inspiration seeps from intriguing vistas and lonely homesteads.

Lyons-based artist Malena Hirschfeld— who grew up in Charlotte, NC — takes the tradition of wildlife and landscape art to another realm.

In her work, viewers can marvel at majestic deer, curious bears, pensive mountain lions and regal horses — a creature that emerges often in her captivating paintings. But the background is often abstract.

From crimson suns to oversized moons made luminous with the careful placement of copper leaf, the details always culminate into an alluring scene.

The juxtaposition of life-like animals amid a setting tinged with gold leaf makes for an ethereal finish, a dream-like locale viewers will certainly want to linger in.

A number of her pieces, that often sell fast, can be found in Western Stars Gallery and Studio, a Lyons shop that — among an abundance of original artwork — boasts a curation of antiques, jewelry, home décor and more.

We caught up with Hirschfeld to find out about her artistic process, what she hopes her work brings to the homes of buyers and where collectors can purchase her sought-out pieces next.

Kalene McCort: I love the mix of realism and abstract styles found in your work. Had you always known your career path would be steeped in creative expression?

Malena Hirschfeld: I have loved art since I was a child and majored in fine art at Colorado State, but it was always very difficult for me to imagine that something I enjoyed so much could be my career. I received a master's degree in education and spent some time teaching elementary school and then raising my own children — all the while painting abstract pieces and decorating the homes of my family and friends. Only recently did I make the decision to pursue this passion as my full-time profession. This is when my love of abstraction and appreciation of Western art merged, and I found my own style.

KM: What's your process like? Do you often work from photographs or simply pull from your imagination?

MH: I do a little of both. I usually find a photograph that inspires me with interesting factors, such as lighting and composition. I then sketch out the image and add shapes and lines to create an interesting composition. I then transfer the sketch onto canvas and begin painting with my oil paints.

Lately, I have been especially drawn to using circles to further connect the animals in my pieces. It is important to me that the anatomy/proportions are correct on the animal I am painting. I use abstraction in the color, texture and backgrounds of my work.

KM: Horses seem to be a big muse for you. What's your connection to these majestic creatures?

MH: Horses have been both a fascination and a major part of my life for as long as I can remember. They've played a role in teaching me independence, patience, responsibility and creative escape. The individuality, intelligence, grace and beauty of horses is what I hope to capture in my work.

KM: What do you hope your pieces add to the interior spaces of buyers?

MH: When someone walks into a space where my painting is displayed, I hope they can appreciate the beauty of the wildlife and horses through a less-traditional lens. My ultimate goal is to showcase the natural beauty of the subjects through my love of bright color and varied textures. I want to provide colorful, bold and expressionistic qualities that aren't often present in Western art.

KM: What are you currently working on, and are there any upcoming shows or holiday markets you plan to be a part of?

MH: At the moment, I am working on a series of paintings that includes groups of animals with abstract backgrounds using shapes, lines, color and copper or gold leaf. I have not quite decided what to call the series. I just finished one of the paintings. It is called "Leisure." I plan on creating a few more pieces similar to this one with elk, deer and bears.

Currently, most of my available work is at Western Stars Gallery in Lyons. I have one piece in the show "Nocturnal" at Main Street Gallery in Lyons until Nov. 19. I attended Loveland's Art in the Park last summer and plan to again this summer, along with a few more art festivals. I have also applied to a few shows that will notify me on acceptance next month. Fingers crossed. My website and Instagram will be updated with details when I have them.

To learn more about Hirschfeld's art, visit malenahirschfeldart.com.