Billy Schenck | "Under the Sheltering Sky" | 45" x 45" | Oil | Estimate: $30,000 - 40,000 | SOLD FOR: $72,000
John Nieto | "Buffalo Medicine" | 48" x 60" | Acrylic | Estimate: $20,000 -30,000 | SOLD FOR: $66,000
Will James | "Eventually" | 13.25" x 22.5" | Graphite | Estimate: $10,000 - 15,000 | SOLD FOR: $51,000
Kim Wiggins | "One Night on Canyon Road" | 12" x 16" | Oil | Estimate: $5,000 - 8,000 | SOLD FOR: $22,800
Thomas Blackshear | "Crow Crown" | 20" x 28" | Oil | Estimate: $18,000 -28,000 | SOLD FOR: $39,000
Tim Solliday | "Meadow Pathway" | 16" x 24" | Oil | Estimate: $14,000 -18,000 | SOLD FOR: $20,400
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Scottsdale Art Auction’s two-day Summer Sale, held August 21–22, 2026, achieved $3.2 million—the highest August total in the auction house’s history—underscoring continued strength and momentum in the market for both historic and contemporary Western, Wildlife and Sporting Art.
Driving the exceptional results were record-setting performances by contemporary Western artists, alongside spirited bidding for works by beloved Western illustrator, artist and novelist Will James, featured from the distinguished A.P. Hays Collection of Western Art. Additionally, the two-day auction featured 507 lots, 503 of them ending up finding buyers, a 99% sell through rate which is nearly unheard of in the auction industry.
“Our August auction as well as our April auction proved without a doubt that the market for classic and contemporary art is not just alive and well but absolutely thriving, says Brad Richardson, Co-Owner of the Scottsdale Art Auction. “Our August auction saw over three thousand people bidding online across our three platforms, more than ever before. Additionally, we are continually seeing new and very active buyers on the market and sold works are being sent out all over the country.”
Some of the most competitive bidding over the two-day sale come from the sixteen lots from the A.P. Hays Collection of Will James that kicked off Session II of the sale. The lots sold for a combined $305,100, well over their auction estimates. A drawing titled Eventually (13 ¼ x 22 ½”) featuring two riders on horseback followed by a spirited wagon train, depicting the One-Elevens Rodeo Caravan, sold for $51,000 (EST: $10,000-$15,000); another drawing, A Real Bronco (11 ¼ x 7 3/4”) sold for $33,000 (EST: $7,000-$10,000); and Smoky and his Mammy (13 x 11”) sold for $39,000 (EST: $6,000-$9,000).
The latter features the famous horse Smoky as a foal with his dam. The image was inscribed by Will James to his wife Alice. After Will James’ death, Alice presented the image to A.P. Hays inscribing, “This picture is my pride and joy…my heart goes with it. My best to you. July 30/79.”
Other notable sales of Will James material include In the Saddle with Uncle Bill (14 x 17 ¾”), $27,000 (EST: $10,000-$15,000); Old Blue-Horses I’ve Known- (14 ½ x 12 ½”), $33,000 (EST: $12,000-$18,000); and Who’s Humane (8 ½ x 14”), $30,000 (EST: $6,000-$9,000).
Many of the strong results in both Sessions came from work by first- and second-generation artists associated with the New West movement. The market for paintings by Arizona icon and Modernist Ed Mell continues to show strength and resilience as several of his paintings sold well above the auction estimates. Evening Storm (22 x 22”), a classic Mell abstracted skyscape sold for $84,000 (EST: $35,000-$55,000); while Canyon Fog (50 x 38”) sold for $66,000 (EST: $45,000-$65,000). Billy Schenck’s Under the Sheltering Sky (45 x 45”) sold for $72,000 (EST: $30,000-$40,000) while his painting Cowgirl (26 x 26”) sold for $36,000 (EST: $7,000-$11,000). John Nieto’s Buffalo Medicine—1999 (48 x 60”) sold for $66,000 (EST: $20,000-$30,000), the highest total ever paid for one of Nieto’s wildlife paintings.
As far as second-generation artists tied to the New West movement, Logan Hagege’s Sky Flower 2 (12 x 12”) sold for $45,000 (EST: $15,000-$25,000); Kyle Polzin’s still life Leading the Charge (15 ½ x 23 ½) sold for $36,000 (EST: $16,000-$24,000) and Kim Wiggins’ panting The Dispute of Don Cristobal (72 x 42) sold for $24,000 (EST: $15,000-$25,000);
Traditional Western art also saw strong results, led by three paintings by Martin Grelle that hit the auction block in Session II of the two-day sale. The Buffalo Rattler (48 x 52”) sold for $96,000, while Crossing the Greasy Grass (30 x 40”) sold for $48,000 and Winter Coat (16 x 16”) sold for $39,000.
Work by members of the Taos Society of Artists saw strong results in Session II of the sale as well. A painting by E. Martin Hennings titled Aspens (20 x 24”) sold for $84,000 (EST: $50,000-$75,000); while two florals by Joseph Henry Sharp sold for $27,000 each respectively.
About Scottsdale Art Auction
Scottsdale Art Auction specializes in Western, Wildlife and Sporting Art, presenting works by historic masters, contemporary Western artists and significant private collections through curated auction events in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Actively Accepting Consignments for our Spring Auction | April 2027
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22 YEARS OF SETTING AUCTION RECORDS FOR NOTABLE ARTISTS SUCH AS HOWARD TERPNING, OSCAR BERNINGHAUS, ERNEST BLUMENSCHEIN, FRANK TENNEY JOHNSON, CHARLES SCHREYVOGEL, MARTIN GRELLE, ED MELL, BERT GEER PHILLIPS, WILLIAM GOLLINGS, OLAF SELTZER, WILL JAMES, G. HARVEY, LOGAN HAGEGE, MELVIN WARREN, AND MANY OTHERS
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SPRING 2026 AUCTION REALIZED NEARLY $17 MILLION IN SALES, HIGHLIGHTING THE AUCTION’S STRONG PERFORMANCE AND CONTINUED DEMAND FROM COLLECTORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
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SPRING 2026 AUCTION SET 30 NEW AUCTION RECORDS FOR ARTISTS INCLUDING WILL JAMES, KYLE POLZIN, ED MELL, BILLY SCHENCK, TIM SOLLIDAY, ERIC BOWMAN, JERRY JORDAN, G. RUSSELL CASE, PLUS 22 OTHERS
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PERMANENT ON-SITE SALE AND SHOWROOM DISPLAYING ART IN A BEAUTIFUL GALLERY SETTING, AND AVAILABLE FOR YEAR-ROUND VIEWING
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22 YEARS OF ACCUMULATING AN EXTENSIVE MAILING LIST OF ACTIVE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COLLECTORS
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SPRING 2026 AUCTION SALES AVERAGED 45% OVER THE HIGH ESTIMATES, ACHIEVING RESULTS THAT OUTPERFORMED OTHER LEADING AUCTION HOUSES
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CURRENTLY HOLDING 315 AUCTION RECORDS, MORE THAN ANY OTHER WESTERN ART AUCTION
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VOTED “BEST OF THE WEST” ART AUCTION BY TRUE WEST MAGAZINE 4 YEARS IN A ROW
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FOR THE PAST 22 YEARS, SAA HAS MAINTAINED AN OUTSTANDING AVERAGE SELL-THROUGH RATE OF 97%, REFLECTING CONTINUED STRENGTH AND COLLECTOR CONFIDENCE IN THE MARKET AND SAA
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OVER 60 ADVERTISEMENTS IN NATIONAL ART PUBLICATIONS PER YEAR, IN ADDITION TO YEAR-LONG DIGITAL ADVERTISING, MORE THAN ANY OTHER AUCTION HOUSE
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SCOTTSDALE ART AUCTION PROVIDES TRUSTED NATIONWIDE PICKUP ASSISTANCE FOR CONSIGNMENTS ACROSS 48 STATES
16″ x 24″ Oil
Estimate: $14,000 – 18,000
SOLD FOR: $20,400
22″ x 22″ Oil
Estimate: $35,000 – 55,000
SOLD FOR: $84,000
20″ x 28″ Oil
Estimate: $18,000 – 28,000
SOLD FOR: $39,000
45″ x 45″ Oil
Estimate: $30,000 – 40,000
SOLD FOR: $72,000
14.5″ x 12.5″ Mixed Media
Estimate: $12,000 – 18,000
SOLD FOR: $33,000
12″ x 12″ Oil
Estimate: $12,000 – 18,000
SOLD FOR: $45,000
20″ x 24″ Oil
Estimate: $50,000 – 75,000
SOLD FOR: $84,000
24″ x 18″ Charcoal
Estimate: $15,000 – 25,000
28″ x 38″ Oil
Estimate: $25,000 – 35,000
SOLD FOR: $33,000
12″ x 16″ Oil
Estimate: $5,000 – 7,000
SOLD FOR: $22,800
24″ Overall Height, Bronze
Estimate: $8,000 – 12,000
SOLD FOR: $18,000
18″ x 24″ Oil
Estimate: $10,000 – 15,000
SOLD FOR: $20,400
20″ x 20″ Acrylic
Estimate: $4,500 – 6,500
SOLD FOR: $13,200
18″ x 27″ Oil
Estimate: $12,000 – 18,000
SOLD FOR: $11,400
48″ x 40″ Oil
Estimate: $18,000 – 28,000
SOLD FOR: $21,600
Where Western Art and fine collectable artwork meet passionate art collectors and connoisseurs. Scottsdale Art Auction is the premier destination for buying and selling historic artwork, masterful paintings, and sculptures from the most celebrated artists of the American West and beyond.
As a leading Western Art Auction, Scottsdale Art Auction connects consignors and buyers through professionally curated art auctions that attract top bidders nationwide. Our Western Art auction was rated “Best of the West Art Auction” 4 years in a row! Our expert team ensures each art collection is represented with integrity, authenticity, and market expertise.
Whether you’re an established collector or new to the world of selling art, our specialists guide you through every step. From accurate valuation to global exposure on leading art auction sites, we help you maximize the value of your artwork while reaching serious buyers who appreciate the legacy of Western and American art.
Each year, our auctions bring together art collectors, dealers, and enthusiasts who share a deep respect for Western heritage and artistic excellence. Explore, bid, and expand your art collection with confidence at the nation’s leading destination for Western art.
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