Sheila Cottrell
Sheila Cottrell’s roots in the West go back, way back. In the early 1800’s, her ancestors, the Wells family, settled in Texas at a time when the West was still being won. They later went by wagon train to Arizona, before it was a state. The Old West is a part of Cottrell’s family history. It is a time and place she knows well and paints with reverence.
Most of her paintings of the Old West come from family lore. For example, Wells Trek West – 1900 shows their covered wagons crossing the West Texas plains as the family heads to Arizona in search of a place to homestead. And Foggy Morning Crossing depicts the wagon train crossing the Pecos River.
Source: Sheila Cottrell
The Hunt
Artist: Sheila Cottrell
Description: Oil (2011) | Image Size: 14”h x 20”w; Framed Size: 23 ½”h x 29 ½”w
“Sheila Cottrell studied at the University of Arizona and Scottsdale Artists School but considers her real painting education began with her tutorship under James Reynolds (1926-2010), a member of the Cowboy Artists of America, starting in 1983. A career highlight was a joint show with Jim at Claggett-Rey Gallery, Vail Colorado in 2005. Sheila was chosen 2014 Honorary Lifetime Artist Member by the historic Mountain Oyster Club in Tucson at its 45th annual Western Art Show.” (Source: Artist Website https://www.sheilacottrell.com/about)
Cottrell follows in the footsteps of many western artists in the choice of this subject, a Plains Indian buffalo hunt. Here she adds realistic touches of roiling dust clouds to give a sense of drama and action to the scene.
