Identify the iconography of the piece. Some subject matter is instantly identifiable with southwest art. Indians, cowboys, wild horses and the Grand Canyon are all icons of the American southwest. Authentic tribal artwork crafted in the traditional method qualifies as southwest art. Any piece using items associated with the cowboy lifestyle, such as rope, or spurs, also qualifies as southwest art.
Identify the category in which the art was created. Paintings, sculptures and photographs are common. Native American crafts, including beadwork, ceramics, rugs and jewelry also are very common. Ironwork, woodwork and even replications of Indian petroglyph carvings are available.
Identify the focus of the piece. Landscapes are ubiquitous in drawings, paintings and photographs of southwest art. Representations of the desert, canyons, mountains and creeks are common. Depictions of southwest wildlife, such as birds, coyote and bear also are common. Ranches and old barns are sometimes featured. Aside from landscapes, American Indians are regular subjects of southwestern artists.
Recognize the shading, hues and tint of the work. Traditional southwest artwork favors certain colors. Earth tones, such as brown, blue, orange, yellow, red, green and gray often are used. The warm mix of colors visible at dusk and dawn also are used frequently. Oils, acrylics, pastels and watercolors are staples of many paintings and are used to bring out the rich colors of the southwest.