News – Sheridan Media
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A large crowd gathered at the Ucross Art Gallery on Friday, March 20, for a reception held for Travis Ivey of Mesa, Arizona, who is the featured artist in the latest installment of the Big Red Showcase. Ivey grew up in Laramie, and many of his painting reflect the Wyoming landscape.
Ucross Foundation President Caitlin Addlesperger introduced Ivey, saying he was an artist-in-resident at Ucross in the fall 2009. The work on display is work Ivey has done over the past 20 years.
She added that recently he has branched out into more abstract work, graffiti writing. She then turned the podium over to Ivey.
He talked about growing up in Laramie, and how he started as an artist.
When in Laramie, he became interested the graffiti he saw on the train’s freight cars. He followed the trains and took photos of the graffiti, trying to find his favorite artist.
“Like pokemon,” he added.
He said he ended up in various industrial landscapes, energy corridors, coal trains, mines and drilling rigs, and he gave himself permission to draw the landscapes he was seeing. At first, he said he felt that landscapes weren’t ‘cool’ like graffiti was.
He talked about one of his favorite artists, Harry Jackson, who did his own thing, saying he wanted to do his own thing as well.
One question from one of the attendees was about his artwork, and if he took photos and used them for reference. Ivey said he does take many photos, but he enjoys plein air drawing also.
Weather can be a challenge when working outside. “It’s kind of impossible to paint in a snowstorm or when it’s really cold. I’ve painted in the Northwest Territories in Canada and been bombarded by 10,000 mosquitoes,” he said, laughing. He also paints from memory.
He talked about his experience at Ucross in 2009.
Ivey earned his MFA from Arizona State University, and his work is in numerous private collections including the University of Wyoming and the Wyoming State Museum.
The public is invited to come and see Ivey’s paintings at the Ucross Art Gallery through Sept. 1. All the paintings are for sale, and small portion of each painting sold at the Ucross Gallery goes to the Ucross Foundation to help other artists.
The Big Red Showcase is a rotating exhibition series that champions former Ucross artists-in-residence by offering an intimate platform for an individual’s collectible work, providing direct support to the artists and creating moments of connection between creator and viewer.
The art gallery is open Monday – Friday 8-4 and Saturday 10-4.
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Last modified: March 22, 2026