The gal with the horse is one of my paintings....it isn't a self-portrait, though it would be nice if it was!! You can view and purchase my art at my website, www.jkdooleyart.com
Vibrant colors and intricate details are the hallmark of my watercolors. From scarred, deep-hued worn leather and faded denim to the sparkle of silver and gold in the sunlight, I portray western images with a unique perspective, encouraging the viewer to imagine what lies beyond the borders of paint and paper.
Drawn (no pun intended!)into the art world at an early age, I was inspired and encouraged by my mom who was also a water colorist, and my dad who truly believes I can do anything I set my mind to.
Having grown up in the era of John Wayne & Gunsmoke then moving to Arizona while in college, it is no wonder that the main body of my art reflects the ruggedness and colorful way of life associated with the Old West.
In an interview, Western Horseman Magazine asked me to differentiate between the New West and the Old West. I believe “it isn’t events that have shaped my image of the West, but the spirit of rugged individualism with which everyday events were and are pursued. That rugged spirit remains. “
The people I meet while pursuing my art “still work very hard, believe in God, love their country and each other.†Although some of their daily chores may have been made simpler by modern technology and better equipment, I still find the values and beliefs that brought people out West in the first place remain solid today.
My award-winning watercolors can be found in collections across the United States and in Europe. I pursue my craft by attending rodeos throughout Arizona and the West, continually inspired by the dramatic plays of light and shadow on saddles, boots, chaps and other cowboy array.
