Mastering Motion: Artists Who Capture Energy and Movement

Art has a unique ability to capture a fleeting moment—a gust of wind through the plains, the raw power of a galloping horse, or the tension before a predator strikes. Some artists excel at translating energy and movement into their work, creating dynamic pieces that feel alive. Whether through paint, sculpture, or photography, these artists masterfully convey motion, drawing viewers into the pulse of the scene.

Join us as we explore eight Sorrel Sky Gallery artists who have honed the art of movement in their work: Edward Aldrich, Matthew Grant, Michael Sydoryk, Aimee Hoover, Star Liana York, Jeremy Bradshaw, Greg Kelsey, and Rosetta. Their ability to infuse motion into static forms transforms their pieces from mere representations into visceral experiences.

Edward Aldrich is a master wildlife artist renowned for his ability to capture both the grace and power of animals in his paintings. His work freezes precise moments of action—whether a predator lunges, a bird takes flight, or a deer bounds through the brush—imbuing each scene with a sense of vitality. Aldrich’s deep understanding of anatomy and movement allows every brushstroke to enhance the realism of his subjects, while his expert use of light and texture adds depth, making his paintings appear as if they are moments just before action bursts forth. Through his portraits, Aldrich strives to go beyond mere realism, aiming to convey the essence of the animal itself. His art seeks to evoke the raw emotion of witnessing wildlife in their natural habitat, whether it’s the thrill of a cougar or a wolf in the wild, and he is committed to continually exploring how to infuse life into his work, creating pieces that resonate with viewers on a deeper level.

Raised in Texas, Matthew Grant has always been drawn to art, spending countless hours sketching superheroes and athletes as a child. His professional artistic journey has spanned multiple mediums, including sketching, painting, pastels, photography, oils, and acrylics. Originally focused on portraiture, Grant honed his skills at the Academy of Art in San Francisco, earning an MFA with an emphasis in Figure Painting. Today, he is known for his ability to balance stylized abstraction with photorealistic detail, using bold brushstrokes and dynamic compositions to create a sense of movement. His work captures the energy of nature in a way that feels both immediate and timeless, reflecting his belief that inspiration can be found anywhere.

Michael Sydoryk, a self-taught contemporary artist from Alberta, Canada, discovered his passion for painting in 2009 as a creative escape from university stress. What began as a hobby quickly evolved into an artistic obsession, leading him to develop a distinctive style that fuses technical realism with bold, expressive abstraction. His energetic brushwork and emotionally charged compositions create a palpable sense of motion, allowing viewers to feel the raw energy within his paintings. While he explores various subjects, Sydoryk is particularly drawn to wildlife, with the iconic bison holding a special place in his artistic journey. Since his debut at the prestigious Calgary Stampede's Western Showcase in 2016, he has continuously pushed his creative boundaries, crafting dynamic pieces that bridge the gap between realism and emotion.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, Aimee Rolin Hoover has spent more than twenty years painting animals and nature. Initially drawn to animal imagery due to her deep love for animals, she later discovered a profound connection between nature, art, and healing. Her large-scale paintings emphasize movement even in still compositions—the flick of an ear, the ripple of fur, the anticipation in an animal’s eyes. Hoover believes that encounters with animals—whether locking eyes with a coyote or feeling the gentle touch of a horse’s muzzle—offer a unique awareness of life and presence. These moments, which guide her to sense and connect rather than overthink, inspire her expressive, bold, and high-contrast work. Through her paintings, Hoover aims to invite viewers into these subtle yet powerful experiences, where motion is not just seen but felt.

Since moving to the Southwest in 1985, Star Liana York has built a vast body of work inspired by the land, history, and people of the region. An avid horsewoman, she rides daily on her ranch near Abiquiu, New Mexico, where she finds inspiration in the sweeping landscapes and the powerful movement of the animals around her. This deep connection translates into her bronze sculptures, where she masterfully captures the dynamic energy of the American West. Whether portraying rearing horses, Native American dancers caught mid-motion, or mythological figures imbued with fluid grace, York freezes moments of movement in three dimensions. The interplay of flowing garments, wind-swept hair, and outstretched limbs gives her sculptures an undeniable sense of vitality, as if they could step out of their bronze forms and continue their motion.

Jeremy Bradshaw is a sculptor known for his exceptional ability to capture the essence of birds in flight, particularly raptors and waterfowl. His bronze sculptures depict these majestic creatures in dynamic poses, with wings spread wide or taking off from serene ponds, creating a sense of motion and energy. The delicate balance and form of his work evoke an airy, kinetic quality, allowing viewers to almost hear the rustling of feathers and feel the power of takeoff. With a lifelong fascination with wildlife, Bradshaw grew up in rural central California, where early experiences with animals fueled his curiosity about the natural world. His passion for wildlife led him to pursue falconry, an art he has honed over decades, living in various locations across the Western United States. Now residing in Washington, his keen observations of animals, especially birds of prey, continue to inspire his sculptures, reflecting his deep commitment to the natural world and its preservation.

Greg Kelsey’s sculptures embody the unrestrained energy of the American West. As an active cowboy and largely self-taught artist, he draws inspiration directly from the Western lifestyle, whether it's bronc riding, roping, or moving cattle. His work captures the essence of movement—horses mid-buck, cowboys twisting in the saddle, and the dust rising from a herd in motion. Kelsey’s skill in depicting muscle tension, fluidity, and expressive body language makes his pieces feel alive, as if they could burst into action at any moment. His dedication to authenticity and motion has earned him multiple awards, including the Award of Excellence from the American Plains Artists’ Show, People’s Choice at the CM Russell Art Auction, and Best Sculpture at Quest for the West.

Rosetta’s sculptures capture the life force of animals through a unique blend of abstraction and realism. With a background in commercial art and a successful career in graphic design, she ultimately returned to her passion for three-dimensional work, sculpting full-time. Her distinctive style, which she calls "Interpretive Realism," emphasizes the movement, energy, and inner spirit of her subjects rather than just their outward appearance. Through sleek, stylized forms and flowing lines, she expresses the power and grace inherent in the animal kingdom. Whether portraying a panther stretching or a gazelle mid-leap, Rosetta’s work distills the essence of motion into a sculptural language that is both powerful and elegant.

What unites these artists is their ability to transcend stillness and inject movement into their work. Whether through paint or sculpture, each artist harnesses technique, composition, and form to bring their subjects to life. Their work reminds us that motion is more than a physical act—it is a feeling, an energy, a moment suspended between past and future.

For collectors, pieces that capture movement add a sense of vitality and dynamism to a collection. They invite viewers to engage, to feel the pulse of the scene, and to appreciate the artistry involved in making motion tangible. As these artists prove, mastering motion in art is not just about depicting movement—it’s about making us experience it.