Gary Morton The Painting Cowboy
Spur Ranches. “I don’t have to research much, “ he says. “I’ve lived it. Every artist paints who he is. Being out there and living it works its way into the art.” “I take pictures while I’m working, whenever it doesn’t interfere with the job by SHARON NIEDERMAN at hand, but no picture I paint is an exact s Gary Morton a cowboy who paints or a copy of a photo.” After he gets back to the painter who cowboys? Somehow, he has studio and reflects on the photos of the found a way to remain devoted to both experience, the elements mix as the passions. “Being an artist and being a cow- images suggest ideas and assemble themboy are both full time jobs. Without a selves in his imagination. If one word doubt, cowboying is more fun than paint- characterizes his work, it is honesty. Gary’s ing,” admits the highly successful western paintings are realistic, accurate and his artist, who works from his studio about fif- attention to detail allows him to be honest teen miles north of Las Vegas, NM. “For to himself and the people he paints. about 25 years, day work, branding and Unlike many artists, he doesn’t mind weaning, kept me sane.” describing his work methods in detail; “My Looking back, it’s clear that his years of medium is acrylics there are several reacowboying, including three stints at the sons. Acrylics have been around as a fine Bell Ranch, eight months living in a tent art medium for well over fifty years. They on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, and have been tested extensively for durability calling an old cabin on the Valles Grande and longevity and proven to be a permahome, are the inspiration and motivation nent high quality medium. Acrylic is water for the body of his artwork. based and relatively easy to keep clean and By 2002 Morton had spent 25 years as a neat. It can be used like a watercolor or an full-time artist when oil paint or a combinathe love of the life tion of the techniques. I brought him back to “I don’t just paint began with watercolor as ranching as manager a child and it just feels for myself, but to natural for the CR Ranch near for me to use a Las Vegas. Then in honor the working water medium. My 2008 he was awarded paintings can be on gescowboy.” the grazing lease on soed board, canvas, or the Valles Caldera paper. I enjoy the differNational Preserve where he and a cowboy ent effects that can be achieved by using crew cared for 2000 yearlings through the various surfaces. summer. “Once the composition is finalized and In 2009 he acquired the summer graz- the drawing completed I start applying ing lease on the Mescalero Apache Reser- paint. This is done with a series of glazes vation, where he and a crew cared for 4700 to achieve correct color and value. I try to yearlings. In 2011 Morton came full circle completely cover the entire surface as and returned to the Bell Division of Silver quickly as possible. It is difficult to make
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adjustments and corrections until the entire painting is roughed in. It is a process of correcting mistakes, pushing and pulling, softening and sharpening until the painting looks right.” To the question: How long does it take him to complete a work, he responds: “A lifetime and two weeks.” Morton grew up in Tucumcari, surprisingly, and not on a ranch. His closest connection with ranching life was through his dad, who sold farm implements. He recalls a meeting in the Tucumcari Pontiac dealership that led to his first job on the Bell Ranch. His qualification for the job was his experience riding bareback broncs in
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Gary Morton's "Free" ... the sun has just risen over the hill, the air is fresh, the drive is coming together, a good horse to ride and plenty of space to be Free... was featured on the April Stockman cover.
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