Eighth Annual

Legacy Art Albuquerque

CJ Wells

Featured Artist 2008

         Some years ago, the late artist Earl Biss spent the better part of 30 minutes mesmerized by a CJ Wells painting. When he finally decided to comment on it, his words defined a career still to come. On that day, Earl Biss said that “CJ Wells is going to be a historically significant painter”. To those who follow CJ’s career, they know how prophetic Earl Biss’ words turned out to be.

         If you are seeing CJ’s work for the first time or are a long time collector, the first thing you will notice about her paintings are the yellow eyes of her figures. When asked about that, she offers a wonderful story: Years ago, she was in Dallas, Texas for an art show that actually went well for her. When she returned home, she went to her studio and literally threw her easel and brushes at the wall. In doing so, she shouted out the words “CJ you are such a fraud”. As she describes it, she then got down on her knees and asked the Father to help her create something beautiful and lasting. She eventually picked up the easel and brushes and began to see the world through the eyes of Native peoples. The yellow eyes were born.

         CJ has collectors around the United States and throughout the world. She found herself in People Magazine as a result of the collection Dwight Yoakum has of her work. She spent a couple of hours with Robert Redford at a gallery in Los Angeles at his request. He ended up with three of CJ’s pieces. Other celebrity collectors include Sylvester Stallone.