WaterhouseGallery
Brent
Cotton
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Little Fisherman
10 x 6 SOLD
Brent
Cotton
Raised on his family's
cattle ranch in Idaho, Brent's first lessons in art were taught
by his grandmother, a talented watercolorist. He grew up sketching
the cowboys and horses he observed every day. His family moved
to Lindsborg, Kansas when he was in the 5th grade. In this little
town steeped in it's Swedish heritage and love of the arts, Brent's
creativity flourished. In high school an influential instructor
encouraged him to pursue a career in art. Upon graduation, he
spent several seasons as a hunting and fishing guide in the vast
wilderness of Idaho and Alaska, experiences that led to many
painting ideas. He focused on wildlife art and taught himself
woodcarving as a way to express himself. His specialty became
gamefish and songbirds.
After several years of
carving and sculpting, Brent decided to concentrate on painting.
He began attending workshops, and over the years has studied
with some of the best known names in wildlife and western art.
He was part of a select group of artists to study with world-renowned
western artist Howard Terpning at the Cowboy Artists of American
workshop in 1997. He gives Oklahoma artist Christine Verner the
most credit for putting him on the path he's on now. She expanded
his vision and under her direction his work turned from highly
detailed to a more painterly and looser approach.
"I became a better
artist when I began painting from life, it forced me to really
observe and train my eyes to filter out the unnecessary stuff
and focus on the major elements." He loves to strap on his
hiking boots, grab his portable easel, and wander off in search
of a moody scene to capture on canvas. His paintings have an
old world feel to them. "I'm inspired by mood and drama,
the fleeting effects of light. I hope my paintings bring a sense
of peace to the viewer, perhaps conjure up a memory. My goal
is to show God's glory in my work, he's blessed me so richly
and I'm so fortunate to be making a living doing what I love."
His work has garnered
several national awards including the prestigious "Arts
for the Parks top 100" in both 1997 and in 2003, where his
painting "Evensong" won both the "People's Choice"
and "Region 3" awards. Brent was also the very first
recipient of the "CM Russell Museum CEO Award" at the
annual CM Russell Art Auction in Montana. He is represented by
several galleries throughout the western states, with work in
many private and corporate collections abroad. Some of his notable
collectors include; Oprah Winfrey, Tom Brokaw, and Brent Musberger.
His work was the subject of a feature article in Southwest Art
magazine in Feb' 2005, and another feature in the May/June '06
issue of Art of the West Magazine. He and his wife Jennifer live
in the beautiful Bitterroot valley of Montana.
Please call 805-962-8885 or
email us (art@waterhousegallery.com)
For more details.
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