The way westward: depicting the american west
"Tales of Time", Light Hunter Fatali
"Perfect Day in the Canyon", 34" x 48", Kirk Randle
"Her Reins, Her Rules", 48" x 48", Shannon Leigh
"Warrior Poet", 33" x 24", Jonathan Noon
in establishing the Yellowstone re- gion as a national park. This painting, along with his sketches and photo- graphs by fellow expedition member William Henry Jackson, communicat- ed the magnificence of Yellowstone in a way that written descriptions couldn’t, motivating then-president Ulysses S. Grant and the US Congress to preserve the land. A couple states to the south, modernism artist Georgia O’Keeffe was putting New Mexico on the map through her striking abstractions of the desert Southwest. As she painted the distinctive landscape and archi- tectural forms of Abiquiu and Ghost Ranch, the area came to be known as “O’Keeffe country”. To this day, her work is still drawing countless visitors to the region. Preserving the Heritage We’re fortunate to have many mod- ern-day artists who are equally as passionate about preserving the rich heritage of the great American West. Through their various interests and flair for storytelling, we get to expe - rience the cyclical and intriguing movement of wildlife throughout the West’s vast mountain ranges and lush grasslands, the stories and tradi- tions of Indigenous people and early settlers, and the mystifying geologi- cal formations that dot the region. These artists also immerse them- selves in their chosen subject matter, not just to gather reference mate- rial, but because they have a deep passion and respect for it. Artists like David Jackson and Kirk Randle who
are passionate about sharing the sto- ries embedded in Western landscapes spend a lot of time near rivers, basins and mountains. Similarly, Jonathan Noon, who is centrally focused on figurative realism, particularly of the American West, believes the history of these landscapes is most emblemat- ic of who we are and from where we came. “Through my work, I aim to trans- port the audience to a world where history meets the present.” Wildlife artists Trevor Swanson and Cathy Sheeter have also traversed and camped in some of the most remote and ecologically diverse regions in the West, all to capture the unique behaviors and majestic energy of var- ious species from bears to bison and eagles to wolves. Then there are photographers like
Jon Linton and Light Hunter who initially sought out the desert South- west for serenity and calm, and now strive to share the feeling with others. Whether sitting in a slot canyon, on the edge of a canyon or in a remote desert flatland, these photographers will spend hours, if not days, waiting for just the right light and that perfect shot––one that captures the true es- sence of the place. Through their intimate knowledge and interpretations of their experienc- es, we get to see and feel the West through a rich tapestry of diverse perspectives and stories. Embedding in the West Many of the early artists were able to capture the true spirit of the West so eloquently because they embed- ded themselves in the region and
the culture. Some relocated entirely, others joined surveying expeditions of archeologists and explorers while oth- ers gathered firsthand ethnographic research. George Caitlin for example, was determined to record the culture and heritage of Native American tribes. In the 1830s, he began a series of vis- its to various tribes, primarily in the Great Plains resulting in his “Indian Gallery”, which included more than 500 paintings and artifacts from his observations. Maynard Dixon, though a native of the West, went on a series of nota- ble sketching and exploratory trips throughout various Western states and Mexico. One with iconic Western artist Edward Borein in which the duo traveled horseback through several western states. Another brought him
t he expansion westward during the 19th century is one of the most significant and character - izing themes of American history. It represented optimism, indepen- dence and discovery. And though the lure of the West may have initially been sparked by the ideals of economic opportunity and free- dom, it also kindled an insatiable curiosity in the hearts of many from explorers to scholars and scientists to artists––and it’s a fascination that continues to this day. That fascination has long been documented through ledger drawings and art in all of its various forms and mediums. In the early days of westward exploration, art provided Easterners a window to the uncharted and mystical West like written and oral depictions couldn’t. Sculptures, paintings, drawings, photography and lithographs––cre- ated by some of the greatest artists in American history––captured what life, the land and the culture were like. And it left an indelible legacy that continues to inspire, educate and invite us to experience that rich part of American history. Raconteurs of History Over the centuries, countless artists have been called to share the stories of the West, captur-
ing moments in time, changes in landscape, and the relationship between humans, animals and nature. Through the individual artist’s lens, subject matter and style, we’re exposed to diverse perspectives. We get to experience the culture of Native American tribes, peer into cowboy and rancher life, and get a front-row seat to awe-inspiring canyons, sunsets and majestic wild- life––things we may not otherwise be exposed to if not through art. In fact, a number of 19th- and early 20th-century artists such as Charles Marion Russell, George Catlin, Albert Bierstadt, Thomas Moran, Frederic Remington, Geor- gia O’Keefe, Maynard Dixon and Ed Mell have been heralded as valu- able chroniclers of the old Amer- ican West. Theodore Roosevelt said of Remington’s work, “...he has portrayed a most characteristic and yet vanishing type of American life. The soldier, the cowboy and rancher, the Indian, the horses and the cattle of the plains, will live in his pictures and bronzes, I verily believe, for all time.” Similarly, Thomas Moran, known for his idealized landscape paint- ings of the West, has forever em- blazoned the spirit of Yellowstone in the minds of many. His painting, “The Grand Canyon of the Yellow- stone,” actually played a crucial role
"Softly the Wind", Jon Linton
"Wyoming Cattle", 48" x 60", Anton Nowels
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Issue 4 | Summer/Fall 2024
Issue 4 | Summer/Fall 2024
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