‘American Ghosts’ is a novel in paint. It’s an allegory of westward expansion and the Gilded Age, covering the century between 1850 and 1950. The story traces the ghosts of three imagined women, each personifying three key moments in American history; the Gold Rush, the Civil War and the Dustbowl. As they cross both time and place, Belle, Betsy and Nancy (along with the outliers that join their caravan) will come to see at last the ravaged land Herself. The will learn also the value of a forgotten 19th c. counterpoint to the excesses of any gilded age, past or present- the notion of seeking just enough, of finding one’s ‘competency’.
Like other past narratives of mine, the story began with an old dusty book and an equally old ballad.
Farewell to the Old Place Oil on canvas 30×38 The Last Buffalo Oil on canvas 38×72 2023 American Ghosts Oil on panel 18×24 Private CollectionThey were not Alone Oil on canvas 72×48 2023‘Lost. Again.’ Oil on canvas 2023Nancy Entertained the Hoboes 18×18 Private CollectionNo Sign of the Gentleman Oil on panel 24×18 Private CollectionBelle meets Betsy Oil on panel 18×24″‘The Guardian of the Trees’ Oil on canvas 48×60″ 2023 Private CollectionThe Flying Lesson Oil on canvas 18×24 Private CollectionBelle on Point Oil on canvas 38×32How Nancy Lost her Wagon 12×12″ Private CollectionAmerican Ghosts Oil on panel 12×12Drawn to their Own Reflections Oil on panel 18×18 Private CollectionA Moment of Despair Oil on panel 12×12 Private CollectionThe Man Who Built the Railroad Oil on panel 18×18
WORKS ON PAPER
Watercolor Study 5×7″ Private Collection‘The Last Buffalo’ Watercolor sketch 5×7″ Private Collection‘Circus Strong’ Watercolor study 5×7″ Private CollectionAnother Trick Watercolor study 7×5″ Her Australian Friend Watercolor 7×5″ Private CollectionLost in the Canyons Watercolor 7×5″ Private Collection
Related Works of the West
Tornado Oil on panel 10×10″Dream of the Dustbowl 12×9″ Oil on panel Private CollectionConsternation, Study Oil on panel 16×16″Across the Border Oil on canvas 50×70″Ice Storm, Sierra Blanca Oil on canvas 50×70″Best Cafe Oil on canvas 12×18″ Private CollectionIce Storm, Texas Oil on canvas 12×16″ Private CollectionIce Storm, Study Oil on panel 5×7″ Private CollectionCigarette, Mexican Border Oil on panel 5×10″Border II Oil on panel 5×10″Roadside Sign, Texas Oil on panel 5×7″ Private CollectionTruck Stop (Stewball Series) Oil on panel 8×11″ Private CollectionWinter (Stewball Series) Oil on panel 8×11″ Private CollectionStewball was a Racehorse (Stewball Series) Oil on panel 8×12″ Private CollectionStewball Series Oil on panel 8×11″ Private CollectionStewball Series 8×11 Oil on panel private CollectionOil Study, Las Vegas, NM Oil on panel 6×8″
