Stepping into the gallery, the first painting you’re likely to see, “Closing In,” depicts a young man, pistol in hand, fleeing several wild wolves through the snow on horseback. The vivid expressions and cool blue tones make the painting brisk and dynamic. 

Albin Veselka is currently an established figure within artistic communities; accepted into the Cowboy Artists of America in 2023. He paints full time and has taught painting classes at Brigham Young University in Idaho. Veselka’s work will be on display at the Daughtry Art Gallery Sept. 5–Oct. 12. 

The show represents a range of scenes and styles. Most of the pieces are oil on linen including head studies, still life, abstract art, and varying action scenes, but several charcoal pieces are interspersed as well. 

According to Art Department Chairman Julio Suarez, a student interviewed Veselka for a senior portfolio course. Subsequently, Visiting Assistant Professor of Art Roxanne Kaufman was impressed with his work and decided to invite Veselka to display at the college.

Suarez said that although traditional in style, part of what makes Veselka’s art remarkable is his diversity of content and experimentation.

“Though his work resides within the tradition of Western art, his willingness to explore varied subject matter and approaches to picture making makes him stand out,” Suarez said. “The influence of both fine artists and classic illustrators is evident and enriches his work.”

Students attending the gallery were impressed by and commented on the skill of Veselka’s work. 

Junior art major Sophie Marshall remarked on his brush work and occasional use of sharp lines as seen in his oil on linen, “To Protect,” of a man building a fence, as well as the loose brushstrokes he uses to paint his daughter in his piece, “New Hair Band.”

“I find it interesting how intentional his brush work is,” Marshall said. “He uses looser brushstrokes when painting landscapes, or his kids, to really invoke the more natural look. He uses more precise and sharp brushstrokes in his narrative pieces to really tell the story.”

While speaking at the opening on Friday, Veselka took the crowd, including students, professors and small children, through his paintings, his story, how he became interested in art, and how he was, eventually, able to support his family through his work. 

Veselka told a story of being in grade school when his teacher gave him the assignment to draw a fox, which after several attempts made him frustrated.

“I’m not a very emotional guy, or wasn’t, and I was crying,” Veselka said. “I was so upset — ‘why can’t I do this?’” 

His mother then drew him an example. 

“What she did looked like magic,” Veselka said. 

He proceeded to practice drawing foxes repeatedly until branching out into other animals. With his parents’ support, he started entering his art in county fairs and worked up from there. 

Rough patches are inevitable when pursuing a career in art, Veselka said. 

“If you can’t kill it and no one else can kill it, go for it. There’s room for a lot of good artists,” Veleska said. “So, if it’s in your bones, hold onto it.” 

According to Veleska, if you can make it through the challenges of following your passion, the struggle is worth it. 

“All your trials will shrink in your mind as time passes and you’ll look back on it fondly as this beautiful struggle that you went through that really helped you grow,” Veleska said.