Works from The James' Permanent Collection

"E.S. Curtis - A Hopi Man" by William Acheff (1981)

While it's special exhibits that tend to get me to a museum, the permanent collection is often just as interesting. Stephenie, Steve and I thoroughly enjoyed wandering through the galleries of The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art after taking in the "Un/Natural Selections" exhibit. Read on for a few of the works that caught my eye. 

After a bit of research, I am even more impressed by William Acheff's "E.S. Curtis - A Hopi Man" than I was when standing in front it. The painting is so realistic, and talk about trompe l'eoil (a phrase I've never learned how to pronounce). Then there's the striking contrast between the colorful Hopi katsina doll and pot and what I thought was a print of a portrait of a Hopi man by renowned photographer Edward Sheriff Curtis. It turns out that Acheff painted Curtis' Hopi man as well. Wow. Let me say it again. Wow. I checked multiple sources to make sure I had that right. 

Acheff wasn't one of those people who was committed to being an artist from a young age. While he took art classes in high school, he decided not to pursue art professionally after watching the movie "Lust for Life" about Vincent Van Gogh. Who wanted to be a starving artist? So he went to barber school instead. Now that's a pivot! One day Italian realist painter Roberto Lupetti ended up in his chair. Acheff started taking classes with him, and Lupetti has said that teaching Acheff was like "putting a carrot in front of a donkey." Acheff was that eager to learn, and his dedication obviously paid off. For a great article about Acheff that includes more images of his work, click here. 

"Bronco Break" by Thomas Blackshear II (2019) 

Speaking of realism, I was also drawn to "Bronco Break" by Thomas Blackshear II. What a face! I encourage you to enlarge this image to appreciate the detail of the wrinkles in the shirt and the veins in his hand. And then there's the light. 

But "Bronco Break" is more than just a pretty picture. Blackshear's painting highlights the tradition of Black cowboys in the West. It is estimated that nearly 25% of cowboys in the post-Civil War era were former slaves who had maintained the land and herds of white ranchers. And here's a not so fun fact. White cowboys were originally called "cowhands" while their Black counterparts were called"cowboys." 

Blackshear is best known as an illustrator who, like many artists, got his start working for Hallmark. His resume also includes the drawings for more than 25 postage stamps featuring subjects from Ida B. Wells to Mother Theresa to Lon Chaney as The Wolf Man. For more on Blackshear and his art, click here.

"Midnight Cowboys" by David Sherwin Parker (1989)

Then there was David Sherwin Parker's "Midnight Cowboys." I think of the Blues Brothers every time I look at these guys. And Parker would be okay with that. 

The tagline on Parker's website is "Positively influencing human emotions with color." His website bio goes on to say, "As a colorist and impressionist, my compositions are designed to convey life appreciation, harmony and positivity." How can you not like an artist who paints with these goals in mind?  

Like Blackshear, Parker was originally an illustrator. "Midnight Cowboys" was one of the first works he created after leaving his job at CBS News. While he's been at this for more than 30 years, I didn't find any interviews with the artist or reviews of his work. One website did, however, report that his works sell for up to $400. No, I didn't leave off a zero. This is an artist whose work can be collected by anyone to whom it speaks. For more on Parker and his work, click here. 

"Fish Totem" by Donna Howell-Sickles (1994-98)

While the Wild West was -- and continues to be -- dominated by men, there are women who have chosen ro be ranch hands. Artist Donna Howell-Sickles has made it her mission to make sure the existence of these women isn't forgotten. She is well familiar with the subject, having grown up on a Texas ranch side by side with cowgirls who were vital to the operation of her home. 

Howell-Sickles started painting cowgirls because the depictions of these women she saw in Western art didn't match the women she knew. And so she paints cowgirls who are strong and open and independent. These women enjoy their work and their lives. She considers them a stand-in for every woman who knows who she is and chooses happiness. 

Howell-Sickles' paintings often incorporate mythology that enhances the meaning of the work. Fish, for instance, are often a symbol of abundance. In "Fish Totem," they represent not only an abundance of food but an abundance of friendship. I can get behind every message in this work, and as a bonus it makes me smile. For more on Howell-Sickles and her work, click here. 

So concludes my musings about my recent outing to The James. It's a museum I appreciate more each time I visit. For an interview with Tom and Mary James about their founding of the Museum, click here. I love the idea of going on a date to collect art. No pizza and beer for these college students. And for more on The James, click here. Don't forget that if you're a member of the Ringling, admission this month is free.