Grant Speed, CA (1930-2011)

Grant Speed, CA

(1930-2011)

Grant Speed was born in San Antonio, Texas, and spent many of his formative years working as a cowboy.

The Cowboy Artists of America held its first exhibition in 1966 at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, which is now known as the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Speed was among the artists to show in that inaugural exhibition and in many ways embodied the very essence of the new organization’s purpose and philosophy; the support of “cowboy artists.” In the years since that first show, Grant has received countless awards and honors for his work.

After a stint in the Air Force, three years of missionary service, and graduation from Brigham Young University’s program in animal science, Speed settled down to raise a family and teach school. After two years, he knew he was in the wrong job. Speed honed his artistic talents at night, on weekends, and whenever he could steal time away from his day job. He learned the process of bronze casting from the ground up because there were no foundries close by. Speed worked diligently in his pursuit of a career in art.

Speed’s work captures the essence of the modern working cowboy with a style that he characterizes as “loose realism.” His work is full of passion and enthusiasm for his subjects, the medium, and the process.

Source: Cowboy Artist of America

Grant Speed, CA