BR ADFORD OVERTON
September 1 – 20, 2020 Jackson Hole Meet & Greet | September 18 | 2:00–5:00pm
BR ADFORD OVERTON Western Ways
Jackson Hole | Scottsdale | AltamiraArt.com
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Midnight Rider Oil on canvas | 36 x 36 inches Enquire
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BRADFORD OVERTON SPOTLIGHT ON HIGHWIRE
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It took me a while to come up with a title for this painting. I see it as a metaphor for the dreamer who actually thinks he can lasso the moon. You can’t tell him it isn’t possible—he might even do it—and if he doesn’t lasso the moon, he might lasso the wave. He’s out there trying to do the impossible and will surely find something magical along the way. There’s no point in not trying, that would be a waste of a trip. Think about what you did: You came through the womb, grew up, did all this stuff that was hard, and you’re going to back out now? It’s crazy when people don’t try for what they want. In my view, if you live in the United States, you have the opportunity to make your dreams happen; whatever you want to be, you can do here. That’s what this painting is about. Self-belief is the courage of the dreamer. It’s something I want. I have so many ideas, so many big plans. I’m working on a screenplay for a Western. I’m playing music and writing new songs. I’m in my studio all day. You have to keep a pretty tight schedule to do the things you want. I don’t want to go on vacation, but breaks are good for me because I get inspired. I’m reminded of John Lennon’s song, “Imagine.” You’ve got this imaginative inner child with a dream; that’s what you
create from. A part of getting something to exist is to think of it and give it energy by believing in it. Faith and imagination: whatever you focus on happens. If I don’t get the moon, maybe I’ll catch that wave. People with their hearts open can relate. If you don’t, move on. I settled on Highwire because the toy lasso I used as a model was an actual wire. The toy is two inches tall. In my imagination, he is able to toss the wire, lasso the moon, secure the line, walk out over the water on that wire. It’s a high wire act, it’s another metaphor for finding balance when you are doing something tricky. It’s funny because the title came to me in concert with my life. I was out biking with my nine-year-old daughter when I ran into this hippie guy doing back flips in the park on a slack line. I asked him: Do you teach this stuff? Turns out he’s writing three books. I ended up hiring him as my personal trainer. A few weeks ago, we had our last session—he’s moving to Hawaii—and he taught me to walk a high wire. That connection with the painting occurred to me only after. When you are in the flow of your life and you’re doing it right, the synchronicity will show you that you are there.
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Highwire Oil on canvas | 20 x 20 inches Enquire
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High Wire #2/25 Bronze | 14 x 8 x 7.5 inches Enquire
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High Wire Vignette Bronze and steel | 20.5 x 18.5 x 12.5 inches Enquire
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Rustler’s Moon Oil on canvas | 24 x 20 inches Enquire
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Wild Vest #2/25 Bronze | 14.75 x 13.5 x 6 inches Enquire
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Wild Vest Vignette Bronze and steele | 18.75 x 20 x 12 inches Enquire
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Moonshot #1 Oil on canvas | 24 x 24 inches Enquire
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Lefty #1/25 Bronze | 13 x 12 x 4 inches Enquire
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Lefty Vignette Bronze and steel | 18.75 x 17.5 x 11.5 inches Enquire
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Long Distance Runner #1/25 Bronze | 16 x 16.5 x 5.5 inches Enquire
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Long Distance Runner Vignette Bronze and steel | 18 x 20.5 x 10.5 inches Enquire
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The Lost Highway Oil on canvas | 24 x 24 inches Enquire
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Prickly Pear Cactus (Large) #1/50 and #2/50 Bronze | 8 x 6 x 2.5 inches Prickly Pear Cactus (Small) #1/50 Bronze | 4 x 3.5 x 2 inches Enquire
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Saguaro Bronze | 17 x 7 x 4 inches Enquire
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Very Superstitious Oil on canvas | 48 x 48 inches Enquire
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172 Center Street | Jackson Hole Wyoming AltamiraArt.com | 307-739-4700
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