DALLAS, TX.- Heritage Auctions debuts Art of the West, which will be included in the June 10 Fine and Decorative Arts including Estate auction and showcases over 100 paintings by historical and contemporary Western Artists. June's Art of the West division will feature entry level price points as well as strong quality works from artists such as Maynard Dixon, Gene Kloss, Harry Jackson and Phillip Goodwin.

"As the western market continues to thrive and market values continue to increase, I wanted to make sure that Western Art remains accessible to collectors at various levels," explained Director of Western Art Alissa Ford. "This mid-season sale also allows consignors to participate in an earlier auction if waiting for the fall is not an option."

Dixon moved in 1940 to Tucson, Arizona, where he began to explore the Hispanic and Native American life of the region. Portrait of a Native American, 1940 (est. $3,000-5,000) is most likely the product of the artist spotting a compelling subject on one of his explorations and creating a highly finished work accentuating the striking features of the young woman.

Goodwin's The Hunter (est. $2,000-3,000) is an appealing study that depicts his love for hunting, fishing, cowboy scenes and scenes featuring firearms.

Any collection of western memorabilia isn't complete without a work by the renowned novelist and cowboy artist Will James. His dynamic sketch To the Boy Scouts, Hoping you Never Lose a Stirrup, study, 1926 (est. $3,000-5,000) illustrates James' talent for capturing the energetic movement and iconic imagery of the life of the cowboy.

Several outstanding works represent the female artists of the West, including Ila McAfee's Fawn (est. $2,000-3,000), which captures her lifelong love for modeling animals, and Gene Kloss' etchings Staurolite Ledge Above Taos, 1973 (est. $1,000-1,500) and Age-old Rhythm, 1973 (est. $800-1,200) which demonstrates Kloss' nationally acclaimed and meticulous etching methods depicting the life and landscape of the Southwest. Louisa McElwain's Silver Rain (est. $4,000-6,000) also displays her love for the Southern landscape through the use of a bold palette and strong surface aesthetics created by use of the palette knife.

Among the highlights of the sale, which include a strong representation of western and wildlife sculpture, is Harry Jackson's Pony Express III (est. $2,000-3,000).

Noted contemporary western artists in the June auction include Ray Swanson, Joe Velazquez and Tim Solliday. Swanson's Navajo Brothers, 1975 (est. $6,000-8,000), Velazquez's Approach of a New Season (est. $3,000-5,000) and Solliday's Desert Landscape (est. $4,000-6,000) are all highly refined works that capture the beauty of the great American West.