During the past six months, J.R. Hess has been living his dream life. He moved to Colorado with his wife Molly and their two teenage sons, Cass and River, he’s got studio space in his new home in Loveland, and his photorealistic wildlife drawings hang in galleries in Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming.
“I’ve been waiting my whole life to get to this point,” Hess says. “I am so thankful, so happy to be doing what I’m doing. I’m still new at this but I know that I’m so fortunate to be able to do what I love to do.”
It’s been a long journey for Hess, who turns 49 in May. The turning point came two years ago, when he decided to commit himself to making art. He invested in some Prismacolor pencils and started drawing. Before long, he began entering shows and then winning awards—including best in category honors for drawing at the Western Spirit art show in Cheyenne, Wyoming, last year. Six months ago, he and his family made the move to Colorado, where he’s now living the dream.
Read the full article in the March/April 2024 issue.
Autumn Embers
Prismacolor pencil and pastel
9″ by 9″
Gathering of Nations
Prismacolor Pencil and Pastel
10″ by 8″
