Artists hailing from the American West are commonly identified as visual creators representing numerous aspects of the 18th and 19th-century American Old West and Frontier through different artistic mediums. Art lovers recognized these Western artists for their remarkable artwork and original work documenting the ethnography, history, and mythology of Western culture during the 20th century.
The art creation from this American Western period is also recognized as ‘Western Art’ that differs from Western art in European art history. American Western artists are among the most memorable historical period with the uniqueness of their art type. The emerging artists from this time came from different backgrounds and professions. Some lived during Manifest Destiny, and their work portrays America, its folks, and landscapes.
Many famous Western artists created dozens of preliminary sketches used as a guide after finishing their canvases in the comfort of their studios. However, most of the time, the art took exhausting month-long horseback rides in highly primitive conditions for these artists to portray these scenes on canvas. In this article, we are featuring the top 6 Western artists who are in the urge to create mesmerizing and breathtaking artwork even today.
Famous Western Artists in 2023:Â
Howard Terpning: (born in Oak Park, Illinois)
Regarding Western art, Howard Terpning is one of the most applauded modern western artists. He was born on November 5, 1927. He is a Western artist and illustrator famous for his significant contribution to Native American art.
When Howard was 15, his interest developed in the West and Native Americans. He spent most of his young years working as an illustrator and created several magazine covers. Around 1974, Terpning left behind everything and decided to follow his interest in American West.
He embarked on a journey towards fine art by crafting paintings and successfully selling them through Western art galleries. His first paintings were sold for around $2500. Terpning was elected to the Cowboy Artists of America and National Academy of Western Art. He received 42 awards for his outstanding work. His work has been presented in China and Paris.
Terpning’s artwork is prominently featured in several esteemed museums, such as Gilcrease Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, Eiteljorg Museum, Booth Western Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and The Eddie Basha Collection.
Martin Grelle: ( Born in Texas, America)
Martin Grelle was born and raised in the foothills near his Clifton, Texas, house. Martin has a deep understanding of the arts; he used to capture the beauty of his hometown on canvas. His paintings were inspired by the essence of the small town and its kind-hearted folks.
At 18, he sought professional feedback from renowned Cowboy artist James Boren. Under the supervision of Western artists James Boren and Melvin Warren, he learned many art tactics in high school during his early 20s. Since then, Grelle studied, traveled, and sought subjects related to American West.
Initially, Grelle chose his medium of choice, oil on canvas. He blends his figures with the landscape around him, creating a painterly style filled with vibrant and vivid colors. He holds a passion for the Old West, which can clearly be seen in his captivating landscape paintings.
He is a renowned and well-known Western landscape artist and is praised for his depictions of the contemporary West. A delicate refinement and strict dedication to detail define his artwork.
Chris Owen:
Chris Owen’s artwork is a modern depiction of the essence of the American cowboy. He studied fine arts at Montana State University and later studied at the Art Center College of Design in LA.
Chris wanted to pursue his career as a professional artist and painted his Western subjects for around 20 years. Moving away from the classic Western themes, his work reveals a strong awareness of how to use light and shadow to give the impression of three-dimensional form.
Additionally, his action painting unconsciously captures and portrays the gesture, energy, and mood of the horse and cowboy figures by blending abstraction and realism. He incorporates an expressionistic style to depict the connection between the horse and the human character.
His style is subjective and shows the capacity to make his figures seem to have distinctive personalities. On his canvases, he expresses his dedication towards the American West and others who have true spirits towards this genre. In 2006, Chris Owen’s painting, A Cowboy’s Morning, received the most prominent international Benny Award.
Tim Cox: (Born in Duncan, Arizona)
Tim Cox was born and grew up in the ranching community of Duncan, Arizona. Since childhood, he has wished to be a cowboy artist in America. 2007 his wish was granted due to his constant dedication to the arts. ]
Although Cox spent most of his time painting, riding, and working on ranches in the West, he also worked in cattle raising and training horses he owned. Cox’s paintings display his everyday experience with the cowboy life that he spent. He blends values, designs, colors, accuracy, and perspective in his paintings.
Being a perfectionist, his devotion to design and his own experience in ranching gained massive attention from collectors and admirers who applauded his work, which accurately depicts Western life. In 2011 he received Best Living Painter in True West Magazine award. Cox made the 75th Anniversary cover of Western Horseman. Along with these, he has earned several renowned awards in his art journey.
James Bama: (Born in Manhattan)
James Bama was born and raised in the Northeast. He shifted west to Wyoming to trace the beginning of Western history, saddles, guns, check the oldest weapons, and, most important, be close to Indian culture. Soon after being shifted to Wyoming, he sold his very first painting. His exclusive works depict the blending of old traditions with contemporary realities.
In most of his work, Bama portrays the modern West preserving its old culture. His plains and mountain paintings of inhabitants represent the true essence of the West. Presently, James Bama’s artworks hold a place of distinction in numerous esteemed collections.
His works have been featured in prominent exhibitions across the Western region and have been showcased in solo exhibitions in New York City. Notably, Bantam Books published two books dedicated to his art: ” “The Art of James Bama” in 1993. and The Western Art of James Bama” in 1975 and
Mark Hopkins:
Mark Hopkins is one of the Western sculpture artists in the US today. His sculptures and monuments can be found worldwide in offices, homes, and public settings. His work reflects its creator. His work shows his interest in almost every aspect of life, from music to wildlife, history, land, and nature. The result is as intense and expressive as the painter, with a graphic style termed “bronze in motion.” He created several famous Western bronze sculptures.
When he was young, with the encouragement and support of his elders, he worked hard to build his distinctive talent and dig out several techniques and sculpture mediums. Mark’s journey to becoming a famous figure in art has been a culmination of decades of hard work and dedication.
While he had to prioritize supporting his big family by pursuing more conventional professions for many years, his passion for sculpting never got away. Deep down, he implicit that sculpting was his true calling. During the errands and trials of life, Mark continued to sculpt, allowing his art to evolve into a distinct and extraordinary style born from the countless challenges and experiences he met along the way.
Conclusion:
The world of Western art is enriched by the extraordinary talents of its best Western artists. These visionary creators have fascinated audiences with their splendid works and played a crucial role in documenting and preserving the history, mythology, and essence of the American West. With their remarkable talent and firm dedication, these famous Western artists have become legends in art, leaving an eternal legacy for future generations to admire and cherish.
