Spring Discoveries: Auction Highlights from Austin Auction Gallery’s March Fine Sales

This March, collectors will have the opportunity to explore an exceptional selection of fine art, sculpture, and decorative objects during Austin Auction Gallery’s two-day Spring Collection Fine Auction. Spanning centuries, styles, and media, the sales present an engaging snapshot of the diversity shaping today’s secondary art market. From richly narrative historical scenes to bold contemporary statements, the highlights below reveal the range of collecting opportunities awaiting bidders.

Federico Uribe Penny Sculpture: Material Transformation as Art (Lot 1155)
Among the most striking works across both auctions is a mixed-media female torso by Colombian artist Federico Uribe. Constructed entirely from carefully layered U.S. pennies arranged into floral rosette patterns, the sculpture exemplifies the artist’s signature ability to transform everyday materials into visually compelling, sculptural forms.
The piece’s tactile surface and rhythmic composition invite viewers to reconsider value—both literal and symbolic, while its contemporary aesthetic makes it equally suited for traditional collections or modern interiors. With an estimate of $4,000–$6,000 and early bidding activity already recorded, the sculpture reflects growing collector interest in works that blend conceptual ideas with decorative impact. 

Sarah Ashley Longshore Pop Painting: Bold Color & Cultural Wit (Lot 1156)
Equally attention-grabbing is a vibrant acrylic painting by contemporary artist Sarah Ashley Longshore. Featuring an Elvis figure wearing a jeweled crown and surrounded by suspended bananas, the work combines pop-art humor with a high-gloss, saturated palette.
Longshore’s playful visual language and strong market presence make her works appealing to collectors seeking contemporary pieces that energize a space. The painting’s provenance from a notable estate adds further depth to its story, while its scale and graphic clarity position it as a true statement work. Estimated at $3,000–$6,000, it captures the ongoing appetite for contemporary art rooted in popular culture and expressive personality. 

Lilian Cheviot Genre Painting: Timeless Narrative Charm (Lot 1171)
Collectors drawn to traditional subject matter will find enduring appeal in a charming oil painting by British artist Lilian Cheviot. Depicting fox terrier puppies in playful pursuit of a mouse, the composition demonstrates the artist’s refined ability to convey movement, curiosity, and narrative warmth.
Genre paintings featuring animals have long maintained a loyal collector base, and Cheviot’s detailed brushwork and lively storytelling make this work especially engaging. With provenance linked to a respected Washington, D.C. gallery and an estimate of $1,500–$2,500, the painting offers both decorative charm and historical interest, qualities that continue to resonate in today’s market. 

Barbara Garvin Western Scene: Light, Atmosphere & Mid-Century Mood (2122)
Another highlight is Winter’s Warmth by California artist Barbara Ruth Garvin. The large oil on canvas presents a snow-covered homestead glowing with interior light, set against a vast winter landscape.
Garvin’s atmospheric treatment of sky and terrain creates a cinematic sense of quiet isolation, balanced by the inviting warmth of illuminated windows. Painted in 1969 and estimated at $1,500–$3,500, the work exemplifies the continued appeal of Western and regional painting—particularly compositions that evoke narrative mood and a strong sense of place. 

Thomas deDecker Frontier Painting: A Glimpse into the Past (Lot 2125)
Rounding out the highlights is an evocative oil painting by contemporary American artist Thomas deDecker. Trapper’s Cabin Circa 1870 presents a contemplative scene of frontier life rendered with subtle tonal shifts and historical sensitivity.
Known for his depictions of Western themes, deDecker combines precise detail with atmospheric softness, allowing viewers to imagine the lived experiences behind the setting. With an estimate of $1,200–$1,600, the painting offers accessible entry into collecting narrative Western art, an enduring category that continues to attract both seasoned buyers and new collectors. 

Taken together, these highlights demonstrate how today’s auction landscape reflects a broad spectrum of tastes and collecting strategies. Conceptual sculpture, pop-infused contemporary painting, historical genre scenes, and atmospheric Western landscapes coexist within the same sales, underscoring the increasingly personal nature of collecting.

For bidders, Austin Auction Gallery’s Spring Collection presents not only a chance to acquire individual works but also an opportunity to discover unexpected connections across periods and styles. Whether building a focused collection or searching for a single standout piece, collectors will find a rich field of possibilities in these March auctions, where tradition and innovation meet under the gavel.

View the full auction catalog for sale one and sale two and register to bid on Bidsquare.com.