Archives for Genre

The Stuido of Andy Thomas

The Stuido of Andy Thomas

July 19, 2016 | by

Andy Thomas was born and raised in Carthage, Missouri, and continues to live there today, creating paintings that have earned him membership in—and awards from—several prestigious art organizations, including the Oil Painters of America, International Masters of Fine Art, the Salmagundi Club, and the Portrait Society of America. His lifelong interest in art took a back seat to earning a steady income, however, after he earned a degree in marketing management from Missouri Southern State University in 1981 and spent 10 years working for a local manufacturing company. Although Thomas, who is primarily self-taught, painted in his spare time, it
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Honoring the People of the Past

Honoring the People of the Past

March 19, 2016 | by

Historically speaking, Montana artist Charles Fritz is always historically speaking—well, at least through his paintings. History for him is an enduring passion, and doesn’t show signs of letting up any time soon. “My interest in the history of the West just keeps growing,” he says. “The fur trade era, the Pony Express, the Oregon Trail, the voyageurs, homesteading, the native cultures and the Indian Wars all present great opportunities for paintings. These may seem like unrelated topics, but in actuality they all seamlessly weave one into another, and it becomes one large fascinating story with endless nuances to explore through
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The Studio of Sonya Terpening

The Studio of Sonya Terpening

March 19, 2016 | by

For want of a door to close, Sonya Terpening’s studio was born. Really. How would you feel if you left work at night and your work stood outside your kitchen begging you to return, demanding your undivided attention? That is pretty much the experience Terpening had until a little more than a year ago when her work life changed for the better. Terpening is excited about her new studio, having recently taken over the master bedroom on the second floor in the Grapevine, Texas, home she has shared with her husband Mark for 28 years. In many respects, Terpening believes
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Ah, Sweet Success

Ah, Sweet Success

January 19, 2016 | by

When Gladys Roldan-de-Moras’ husband Rafael couldn’t attend the 2015 Qwest for the West Show with her, she invited her sister to join her. It was Roldan-de-Moras’ first showing at the prestigious event at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, Indiana, and she was in awe of the other artists and their work. At the awards ceremony, she leaned over to her sister and said she could never get up on stage to accept an award and then have to say a few words to the crowd. Turning back toward the presentation, Roldan-de-Moras was shocked to
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A Penchant For the Past

A Penchant For the Past

November 20, 2015 | by

Known for evocative historical paintings that depict the lives of the Eastern Woodland Indians and non-native settlers, who lived in the region surrounding his home in Western Pennsylvania during the 18th century, John Buxton, like several successful fine artists, began his career as a commercial illustrator. Determined to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a professional artist, in 1959 Buxton journeyed west to begin formal art studies at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, California. Getting his priorities straight a few years later, Buxton returned to his studies and earned his Professional Arts Degree in 1962, which
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Cowboy Artists of America Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Cowboy Artists of America Celebrates 50th Anniversary

September 20, 2015 | by

With the celebration of the Cowboy Artists of America’s 50th anniversary, one has to wonder if the founding artists—Joe Beeler, Charlie Dye, John Hampton, and George Phippen—could have envisioned what the organization would become and that it would still be going strong five decades later. Those four men, along with dozens of others who were invited to join the prestigious organization over the years, were committed to creating authentic representations of life—and work—in the American West and to doing so with the highest of artistic standards. Four members of the CAA—John Coleman, Martin Grelle, Bill Nebeker, and Jim Norton—recently took
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My Richest Blessing Is My Imagination

My Richest Blessing Is My Imagination

July 20, 2015 | by

Whether he is depicting a Native American hunting party, a stagecoach arriving in a frontier town, or a cowpuncher riding night herd in the moonlight, the imagery of Montana-based artist Gary Lynn Roberts clearly reflects his belief that he lives and works in God’s country. For him, it’s a reality in more ways than one. Living on a remote 100-acre spread in the majestic Bitterroot Valley some 50 miles south of Missoula, Roberts doesn’t have to venture far to find the towering snow-capped mountains, sparkling rivers, and native wildlife that so richly complement his compelling compositions. Gary Lynn Roberts Wapiti
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A Creative Calling

A Creative Calling

July 20, 2015 | by

Albin Veselka wants to talk about art. First, though, he wants to say a few words about the meaning of life and the purpose of art. “I’m always trying to uplift people; I think it’s important to better the world,” says Veselka, whose Christian faith, along with his missionary zeal for art, guide his creative journey. “My faith helps me to do that—to uplift people and to show them something through my art.” This spirit of expansive generosity suffuses Veselka’s work, as well as his artistic philosophy. Albin Veselka Sunset Tide Oil 24″x15″ “I love the way white reflects all
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The Race is Still Going

The Race is Still Going

May 20, 2015 | by

There is nothing Morgan Weistling enjoys more—or works as hard at—as telling a story. It is exciting and challenging, as he spends countless hours—and makes thousands of decisions—to create each painting in a manner that captures the attention of viewers, draws them in, and—he hopes—puts a smile on their faces. Snake Oil Salesman is a prime example of how Weistling works. “I look at that painting, and I see 100,000 decisions I had to make,” he says of the piece, which depicts a gathering of men, women, and children around a man enthusiastically extolling the benefits of the snake oil
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The Evolution Continues

The Evolution Continues

May 20, 2015 | by

A few years ago, Jason Rich was invited to visit some of the people who had started collecting his work early in his career. He hadn’t seen the paintings in almost 20 years. and he admits that he was surprised when he looked at them again. “Day after day, as you’re working at your easel, the changes in your work are so subtle that you don’t even notice them,” he says. “But when you look back at your early work, you see the evolution. You see the changes that you don’t see day-to-day.” Rich was in his mid twenties, when
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