Today, in our fragile social environment, we need heroes more that ever.
Many talented people have taken their admiration to the artistic level and have created amazing pieces of art for all fans to appreciate. In this column, I shall present the work of George Murray, and Katie West, 2 contemporary artists using their talents to preserve the memory of the Westerns greatest stars.
Katie West, is a talented woman. Working on the west coast primarily, she has designed a process known as Petrigraph in which she etches an image onto a marble slate, thereby rendering a realistic 3 dimensional picture. She has recently finished a Clayton Moore likeness on the front of the Sportsman Lodge in Los Angeles, where the Golden Boots were held in August. Some examples of her work follow.
George Murray, a North Carolina artist, works primarily in pencil. Specializing in celebrity likenesses, he has recently been licensed to create James Dean for various projects. "The Andy Griffith Show" is one of his favourite subjects, of which I include Don Knotts in this article. His most recent work, The Lone Ranger and Tonto, hangs in a local restaurant. Steve Smith (Jay Silverheels son), saw it and contacted George. George and Steve have since become friends, and Steve now has the original artwork for the Ranger and Tonto picture. He can also be contacted to create custom artwork on commission. His web site can be found at http://members.aol.com/par4dround/murrayart002.html so please click on and enjoy his talent.
You can also find if you look on ebay, some great Lone Ranger lithographs. The original artist had some large size copies done of the pastel covers to the mid 1950's issues (pre #112 when the photo covers became prevalent). The pieces are stunning and worth the $15 they sell for! I hope to get one soon myself.
Roy Rogers and Trigger Jimmy Stewart The Duke
Her work can be viewed at http://www.katiewestart.com. Tell her I sent you.In addition to celebrities, she also works on commission, having done gravestones, and memorials.
Don Knotts
In addition to these 2 outstanding artists, there are others that I have not mentioned. If you want to be added to part II of this article, please contact me.
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