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PrintTom Browning
The CAA member hangs in the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum's permanent collection
Tom Browning has applied his technical expertise to a multitude of subjects, creating tranquil still lifes, intimate portraits, and jolly Santa Clauses, but don’t let his academic attitude toward the elements of art fool you. Although he’s serious about the basics (he’s the author of Timeless Techniques for Better Oil Paintings, which canonized his mantra, “It’s all about the light.”), this artist has a soft spot for one subject in particular: the West.
Browning’s passion for cowboy country is evident to art critics who recognize him not only for his extraordinary technical skill and gorgeous impressionistic style, but also for his ability to capture the heart of the West. In 2009, Browning won the Prix de West Purchase Award for his painting Dawn of a New Day, which now hangs in the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s permanent collection. The Cowboy Artists of America (CAA) inaugurated him as a member in the same year. These events prompted the artist to move from Oregon to Arizona in order to “open the door to a new view of Western life.”
The move in location and CAA membership have inspired several new paintings, including Knee Deep in Russell Country (above). “One of the best parts of belonging to the CAA is the annual trail ride,” Browning remarks. “Last year we were hosted by the Bell Cross Ranch outside of Great Falls, Montana. What struck me the most about the ranch were all the familiar landmarks used in paintings by Charlie Russell. In this painting, Square Butte sits in the background as a couple of riders wade through the deep summer grass, giving me the feeling that not much has changed since Charlie roamed the same hills.”
While Browning is inspired by the classics, he is adamant that his artwork will continue to evolve. “I’m always finding new and exciting ways to approach the subject of cowboys. Lately I’ve been exploring long horizontal designs to zero in on things like a string of ponies. And, of course,” the artist chuckles, “there’s always a million different things you can do with light.”
ABOVE: Knee Deep in Russell Country, oil on linen, 20 x 30.
GALLERIES: InSight Gallery, Fredericksburg, Texas, 888.997.9921, www.insightgallery.com. Wilcox Gallery, Jackson, Wyoming, 307.733.6450, www.wilcoxgallery.com.
