Martin Grelle (b. 1954)
Trinkets
oil on canvas
30 x 48 inches
39 x 57 inches (frame)
signed lower right: Martin Grelle
verso: titled on stretcher

Martin Grelle, born and raised in Clifton, Texas, found his artistic passion in capturing the beauty of his hometown’s landscapes and people. Influenced by local life and mentored by one of the Cowboy Artists of America, James Boren, Grelle began painting as a teenager, expanding from depictions of Scandinavian settlers to broader Western themes. Joining the Cowboy Artists of America in 1995, he explores diverse landscapes across the U.S. and Europe, drawn particularly to mountains for their grandeur. Using primarily oils with a focus on color and texture, Grelle evokes dramatic light and shadow in his work, increasingly delving into historical narratives to tell visual stories.

Commenting on Trinkets, Grelle notes that, “It was done for a show at Overland Gallery, and I believe it was either late 1980’s or early 1990’s. I do remember that it was a significant painting for me…one of my first attempts at painting more Northern plains oriented Native American subjects, rather than the Taos, Acoma, and other Southwestern oriented subjects I had previously done.”

The painting appears to be in good condition. Under UV examination, there is no evidence of restoration or inpainting.