"...Following
is an introduction to seven artists of the new West, each forging their
own brand of western art and bringing the genre into the new
century."
One
of the first sights travelers encounter at Sky Harbor International
Airport in Phoenix, AZ, is a 20-by-30 foot mural depicting a Wild West
stagecoach by John Farnsworth. the artist has deep roots in the West,
having been raised along the Santa Fe Railroad and in the logging camps
of northern Arizona.
Even so, it would be a
mistake to label Farnsworth a western artist -- he doesn't fit easily
into any niche. Farnsworth painted American Indians until that subject
became so popular that he moved on; to horses, cattle, dogs, landscapes,
Hopi Kachinas, and still lifes. Those subjects could be western but are
not necessarily so. The horse paintings encompass Arabians, racehorses,
rodeo stock, and equine images from European old-master works. The
artist may focus narrowly on the colors and shapes of particular design
elements, such as horses' heads, rather than taking a traditional view.
Working primarily in oil and watercolor, Farnsworth maintains balance by
moving between large, developed pieces and smaller, spontaneous ones. He
lives in New Mexico, where he and his wife, Thea, operate Farnsworth
Gallery Taos.
Also featured, BULL:
Click on the thumbnail for an enlargement and other information.
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