Archives for Portrait

A Glimpse of My Soul

A Glimpse of My Soul

November 25, 2013 | by

The setting sun paints dramatic colors on the nearby 7,000-foot peaks as Karin and Wayne Hollebeke wrap up their ranching chores. Pumping water by hand from their well, they are both reminded of the pioneer lifestyle that was once prominent in this part of rural Utah. The Hollebeke ranch is certainly quieter since Wayne retired from law enforcement nine years ago. The cattle are gone and only three horses remain. But gardening and canning are still high on the list as summer winds down, and after that there might be a little daylight left for fly-fishing. With fewer ranching responsibilities,
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‘The Pioneer Spirit is Alive and Well’

‘The Pioneer Spirit is Alive and Well’

September 25, 2013 | by

Sheep wandering through Aspen groves in their high mountain pasture, knee high snow drifts blanketing hillsides and valleys, a cowhand working a herd of cattle, youngsters doing their daily chores. These scenes are familiar to artist Grant Redden, whose paintings celebrate the pioneer traditions and unspoiled beauty found in the southwestern corner of Wyoming, where the 53-year-old artist was born, raised, and still resides. Grant Redden (Wyoming) Gathering Potatoes Oil 16˝ by 20˝ “Pioneer girls and their mothers worked hard—as hard as men—to carve out a life and survive. My daughter had to go out and pick potatoes anyway, so
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‘It’s Always an Adventure’

‘It’s Always an Adventure’

September 25, 2013 | by

Charles Warren “C.W.” Mundy’s art career began during vacation Bible school. At 7, he already had a reputation as a bit of a troublemaker. He had been kicked out of kindergarten for making too much noise, getting in fights, and objecting loudly to the idea of a mid-day nap. But that summer, the teacher at vacation Bible school in Mundy’s hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana, where he still lives today, tried a new idea to keep him under control: She assigned him to make a poster for the daily program and hang it in the church. C.W. Mundy (Indiana) Portrait of
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‘Let’s Just Paint’

‘Let’s Just Paint’

July 25, 2013 | by

When she was a senior in high school, Barbara Edwards met a recruiter from Utah State University, who had brought with him original artworks created by several of the professors there. Included was what Barbara describes as a “gorgeous painting by Glen Edwards.” Today, whenever she wants to view one of his paintings, all Barbara has to do is turn her head. She and Glen have been married for 37 years now and happily paint in the same studio at their home north of Salt Lake City, Utah. “We paint side by side,” she says. “Our easels are about five
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A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL MAN

A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL MAN

July 25, 2013 | by

T.D. Kelsey would readily agree that he is living a life that many would envy. An award-winning sculptor, he divides his time between Texas and Wyoming. A former commercial pilot, he can jump into the cockpit of one of his planes and take to the skies whenever the mood hits, or saddle up one of his horses and go for a ride. It is a life that suits the talented artist—and suits him well. T.D.Kelsey (Texas) Pick Pocket Bronze 17″ By 21″ “While cheeking this bronc around to get on, this cowboy almost gets his chaps removed.” This sculpture was
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Art is the Air I Breathe

Art is the Air I Breathe

May 25, 2013 | by

Gordon Snidow made his name painting the American cowboy, something he’s been doing for more than five decades now. Although he has added other subjects to his repertoire over the years, when you mention his name, it’s almost sure to evoke images of the cowboy and the American West Gordon Snidow (New Mexico) Roll Out The Barrel Gouache 28″ X 17″ Having a working season that was long and tough, it’s time to roll out the barrel and have a good time Gordon Snidow (New Mexico) Old Glory Gouache 25″ X 13″ Did you ever see a rodeo parade without
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The Real Deal

The Real Deal

May 25, 2013 | by

“My goal was to go to ranches, hang out, chase cows, and paint. It still is”. So says Tom Dorr, whose cowboy paintings are so eagerly sought after that he struggles to keep up with the demand for his work. While he attributes part of that situation to the fact that he keeps his prices at a reasonable level, there is no denying his skill in portraying the men who are, in essence, his heroes. Tom Dorr (Arizona) Across Shallow Creek Oil 30″ By 40″ Scenery is always a part of the cowboy’s everyday work. The Hassayampa River can be
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The Studio of Mikel Donahue

The Studio of Mikel Donahue

May 25, 2013 | by

If you happen to be driving near Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, a quiet little suburb near Tulsa, you might pass a lovely, five-acre farm, surrounded by a picturesque white fence. Inside the fence, horses might be grazing quietly, or frolicking in the pasture. Strong and sleek, these race-bred quarter horses are worth admiring. But, beyond that, nothing remarkable catches your eye. Mikel Donahue Shipping Day Mixed Media 19″ By 22″
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Still Riding High

Still Riding High

March 25, 2013 | by

Martin Grelle has realized success beyond his wildest dreams. That success is well deserved, the result of his dedication to, and talent for, depicting the people and land of the West—both historical and contemporary—and of art lovers who willingly and enthusiastically pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to own one of Grelle’s beautifully rendered paintings. Martin Grelle Newlyweds Oil 40″ By 32″ During the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade era, it was a common practice for trappers to take Indian girls as wives. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, not only for the obvious reasons, but because the girls could look
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‘An Open Diary’

‘An Open Diary’

March 25, 2013 | by

Serene, evocative, intimate, ethereal—those words convey the essence of the softly impressionistic portraiture of Chicago-based artist Mary Qian. Although Qian’s command of color and technique is exceptional, her style also suggests a sense of innocence and promise, perhaps because the artist herself is still on a personal journey of self-discovery. Mary Qian (Illinois) Rob Rhythm Of Black Oil 16″ By 12″ Starting a series of models in black. Mary Qian (Illinois) White Oil 18″ By 17″ This is the first piece I did with a model in a white dress on a white surrounding. I used to prefer a more
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