I grew up in the northeastern United States. My only exposure to the American West was watching TV westerns of the 1950s and 60s. I really had no clue other than that there were Indians, cowboys, buffalo, cattle ranches, and the Rockies. But western art has opened my eyes.
On my recent travels across backroads of America with my wife and dog I discovered that traveling can change your view, particularly if you take the time to visit the national and state parks, and tribal lands and their museums. Also, local art can also reveal history and perspective. Donn Morris’ art is a good example of the western perspective. I recently talked with Donn and thought you might be interested in his western art perspectives.
Drawing and Watercolors
89-year old Donn C. Morris, a former green beret medic and teacher for 30 years, creates amazing drawings and paintings of people and scenes about the West.
According to Rim Country Artists, Donn is a “Man of Many Mediums”. He works primarily in watercolors and is still working on his art filling commissions requested by friends and acquaintances.
He noted that some of the cultural influencers of his art were “Blue highways” and Zane Grey books. Blue Highways was a book by author, historian William Least Heat-Moon (born William Lewis Trogdon August 27, 1939) who chronicled unusual journeys through the United States. Pearl Zane Grey (January 31, 1872 – October 23, 1939) was an American author and dentist known for his popular adventure novels and stories associated with the Western literature and the arts (e.g., “Riders of the Purple Sage” (1912) was his best-selling book.) However, Donn’s art captures interesting images from many of his own travels.
We discovered him while visitng the Bruzzi Winery, which displayed some of his paintings for sale. We purchased his Sky City Indian (above Acoma Indian). What caught my attention was the subject of the portrait was wearing what appeared to be Keds sneakers. Hmmm, that’s a little different from standard TV Indian garb. So, I asked him about this particular composition. He told me he encountered the fellow sitting on the edge of the mesa where he lived, and had to draw him. Just another image in the many he has captured in his art about western life.
Visit Donn’s art on Rim County Artists.