Artist, Author. A prolific fine artist and painter, he is best remembered for his Western America scenes, especially those of the Southwest Native American Hopi and Navajo tribes. Born near Hedgesville in Berkeley County, West Virginia, he aspired to be an artist in his youth and in 1880 he attended the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1883 he relocated to Munich, Germany to study art at the Royal Academy and remained there until 1895, winning the annual medal for painting six years in a row. In 1895 he returned to New York City, New York where he opened an art studio and made illustrations for Scribner's and Collier's magazines. Unsuccessful at earning a living by selling paintings, in 1906 he accepted an offer by the Santa Fe Railroad to paint the Grand Canyon in exchange for his rail fare. He became fascinated with the beauty of the Southwest and began painting landscapes along with portraits of Native Americans who inhabited the area, while still maintaining his art studio in New York City. From 1912 until 1926 he made many summer trips to the Southwest, and also traveled to the Yellowstone National Forest to paint landscapes there. In 1926 he made one of two trips to Africa at the invitation of taxidermist, sculptor, and photographer Carl Akeley for the American Museum of Natural History and published an illustrated book on his experiences called "Frontiers of Enchantment: An Artist's Adventure in Africa." In 1933 he wrote and illustrated "The Western Pony" and by the 1940s his work was beginning to achieve success. In 1953 he was elected into the National Academy of Design and became a full Academician two years later. He died in New York City, New York at the age of 88. Many of his works are prominently displayed in numerous museums throughout the US.
Artist, Author. A prolific fine artist and painter, he is best remembered for his Western America scenes, especially those of the Southwest Native American Hopi and Navajo tribes. Born near Hedgesville in Berkeley County, West Virginia, he aspired to be an artist in his youth and in 1880 he attended the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1883 he relocated to Munich, Germany to study art at the Royal Academy and remained there until 1895, winning the annual medal for painting six years in a row. In 1895 he returned to New York City, New York where he opened an art studio and made illustrations for Scribner's and Collier's magazines. Unsuccessful at earning a living by selling paintings, in 1906 he accepted an offer by the Santa Fe Railroad to paint the Grand Canyon in exchange for his rail fare. He became fascinated with the beauty of the Southwest and began painting landscapes along with portraits of Native Americans who inhabited the area, while still maintaining his art studio in New York City. From 1912 until 1926 he made many summer trips to the Southwest, and also traveled to the Yellowstone National Forest to paint landscapes there. In 1926 he made one of two trips to Africa at the invitation of taxidermist, sculptor, and photographer Carl Akeley for the American Museum of Natural History and published an illustrated book on his experiences called "Frontiers of Enchantment: An Artist's Adventure in Africa." In 1933 he wrote and illustrated "The Western Pony" and by the 1940s his work was beginning to achieve success. In 1953 he was elected into the National Academy of Design and became a full Academician two years later. He died in New York City, New York at the age of 88. Many of his works are prominently displayed in numerous museums throughout the US.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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