WESTERN ART FOR THE SOUL

BY JENN WEBSTER AND BAR XP PHOTO

In 2021, the world wants their individual spaces to reflect solace and help them escape to the great outdoors. Featuring open prairies, a cowboy’s life in the saddle or the ever majestic equine – the world of western art is perfectly poised to satisfy all these cravings.

An intricate spade, created for Richard Brooks’ application to the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA). The ferrules and cricket are Mokume (basically Damascus made from copper and silver). The flowers are done in an ancient Korean technique called Keumboo (24 karat gold bonded to silver). It boasts highly sculpted steel scrolls and silver inlays.

The world of art saw its fair share of changes as the events of the global pandemic unfolded. From the challenges faced by small art galleries, to the cancellation of exhibits and public displays, the art world had to take on a number of transformations. Many artists transitioned to marketing their own work in online sales, galleries moved to virtual exhibits, while sales too found ways to hold auctions with absentee bidding options available. Then there were the ultrasavvy – the artists who discovered the world of non-fungible tokens, better known as NFTs. (Welcome to the portal of digital art – a form of cryptocurrency that involves knowing many other newfangled words like Ethereum blockchain. Don’t worry we’re still wrapping our heads around it too…)

The art world shifted greatly in the last 12 months for both artists and collectors. People who are seasoned collectors had more time in the last year to focus on their passions and virtual new-comers to it had the income to spend. Many large auction house saw record sales in the last year for high-value art in digital / virtual sales.

Additionally, the events of 2020 like protests, racism awareness and freedom rallies shaped the focus of many creative expressions. Political themes were prevalent in murals and many other mediums, while street art across the globe depicting images of George Floyd became part of the call for solidarity in the Black Lives Matter movement.

On the flip side, artwork featuring nature works after a year of chaos has also become a big trend. It seems that having to stay at home means people are becoming more aware of what is on their walls. They want their spaces to reflect solace and help them escape to the great outdoors. Featuring open prairies, a cowboy’s life in the saddle or the ever majestic equine – the world of western art is perfectly poised to satisfy all these cravings.

There has also been a surge in younger western art collectors too (aged 45 and younger) to acquire personalized, commissioned items that range in a variety of mediums. From treasured silver work displaying one’s brand, to a picturesque wild rag, to a painting featuring a beloved equine, or a one-of-a-kind, deck of cards – one thing is certain, western art should grasp hold of the unpredictability of 2020. The benefits of western art serve more than therapeutic purposes, although, those yearning for spiritual inspiration from nature will achieve that too.

With all that in mind, here are a few local western artists to which you should be paying attention…

BROOKS custom spurs. Sculpted steel with fine silver inlays.

BROOKS BITS, SPURS & SILVER

Brooks Bits, Spurs and Silver is a family venture that began in the late 1940’s. Generations later, the Brooks family continues to hone their craft and customers remain captivated by their raw talent and pristine quality. In the early days, Roy Brooks Sr. of Cochrane, AB, forged his steel over a coal fire. Each silver adornment was painstakingly hand-cut, soldered and push engraved. At an early age, Richard Brooks watched his grandfather Roy with intrigue and soon embarked on the journey of becoming a well-respected creator, himself.

Richard notes that, “In 1991, I began building a few pieces and this continued as a serious hobby ‘til I started a career in 2005.” Richard was first a partner with Olson Silver Co. Here, he began building buckles and continued to build his bit and spur business, in the evenings. Richard ventured alone in 2012. He lamented, “I kept very busy with custom pieces for a few years and my son Leighton, who pretty much grew up in the shop, started full-time when he graduated from high school in 2017.”

Today, Brooks Bits, Spurs and Silver continues to operate from their ranch near Cayley, AB. Richard completes the design work and engraving, while Leighton focuses on steel fabrication and leatherwork. Silver fabrication is split between father and son, depending on the complexity of the project. As with most family run operations, the ladies play an

integral role in keeping things running smoothly. Richard joked, “Someone has to feed the cows while us guys are in the shop.”

Although the father and son team has adopted modern technologies, such as milling machines, welders and a water jet, they still honor the craft of a one-man blacksmith/silversmith shop. Each piece is handmade, individually. Richard and Leighton both have incredible attention to detail. Above all, they understand the purpose of the products they construct. Each piece operates with superior function and still serves as a work of art.

The on-site shop currently focuses on BROOKS marked bridle bits, leather stamps, and some spurs. In house, you will also find a unique sampling of handmade jewelry and assorted accessories, available for purchase. Truly, the timeline for each piece varies, depending on ranch demands and product specifications. Richard commented, “We farm and run cattle too, so customer expectations have to be a little flexible, as unexpected things outside of the shop can wreak havoc on trying to schedule anything.” While Brooks Bits, Spurs and Silver no longer accept custom spur/bit orders, those available are truly works of art. In past, custom bits were marked R. BROOKS (Richard) but the “stamp” has been adapted to credit both father and son, who now build together. On average, the timeline for bit completion is roughly two to three months. Unique, Brooks leather stamps are stocked in variety and custom tools are available on request. Custom leather stamps are usually available in one to two weeks. Other custom pieces, such as jewelry and buckles, typically run about four to six weeks.

When discussing what he enjoys most about being a silversmith, Richard commented, “I really love building things and working with my hands. It really suits me and our lifestyle – the connection to our western heritage and most of the people we deal with.” Aside from the flexibility in his schedule, he also noted that having his shop right at home is unbeatable! Not surprising, one of the biggest challenges that he and his son face is knowing when to say “No.” Richard noted that scheduling and telling a customer that they can’t or won’t build something is truly difficult.

A significant highlight in Brooks’ career was being accepted into the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA). In 2013-2014, Richard constructed several pieces, as part of his application, that were likely the most technically challenging pieces he has constructed, to date.

If you are looking for a quality-crafted, functional work-of-art, you can find more at: www.brookswesterngear.com

Quality leather headstalls constructed by Leighton Brooks, adorned with stylish, silver accents.

KARMIN BURTON ART

This young, rural Alberta artist specializes in western art and pet portraits, however, it was her deck of cards that caught our eye. Back in February of 2021, Burton stated on her Facebook page, “These cards just started as a way for me to learn to paint.”

No one could’ve known much interest she would garner in the hand-painted deck of 52 playing cards (each with different design), in only the few short months she started revealing her project on social media. Burton would go on to state, “I am just blown away by all the support I’ve gotten for this project. Thanks to all my new followers!”

She admits it was a challenging project, but says it was all worth it, “It was definitely a challenging project, both with the scale of them and just the number, it was

Karmin Burton’s artistic deck of cards.

a lot of work to paint them all.”

Burton was primarily a colour pencil artist before this, but always wanted to take up painting.

“I did one card, and someone saw it on my social media and asked if I would do a few for them for gifts. I finished those ones and just loved them, and decided to go ahead and paint the whole deck. I made a couple posts on social media

asking for photo contributions and got a huge response, all of the paintings are done from reference photos sent to me from people all over Alberta.”

Each card features a different western scene. There are horses, coyotes, cowboys and cattle roundup images.

The joker proved way trickier than I expected, which seems fitting for

the subject. -Karmin Burton

“I really tried to pick the right photo for every card to give them all some meaning, and it’s just been an amazing experience, honestly. Getting to connect with so many people and putting something together that everyone is so excited about is pretty mind-blowing for me!” she says.

You can find more about Burton’s art at: www.karminburtonart.com.

Sam Anderson creates one-of-a-kind commissioned wreaths for her clients, featuring their beloved animals.

The wreaths can be decorated with any kind of embellishments , to reflect any time of year.

CUSTOM ART BY SAM

They are especially striking when complimented with bells, pine or red and green colours for Christmas.

Like so many other people, Sandra (Sam) Anderson’s job as an industrial sewer ended near the start of the pandemic. Fortunately, she was able to turn to her two passions in life, art and horses, to generate some income. Anderson produces custom 3-D animal portraits – usually horses, but also mules, donkeys, dogs, cattle, and birds – out of her Turner Valley, AB, home. Her other projects have included First Nations headdresses, feathers, free-standing animal heads, custom rocking horses, and many other unique items.

For custom pieces, an owner-supplies Anderson with a photo which is then blown up and projected onto mediumdensity fibreboard (MDF).Then the shape is cut out, carved, sanded, and painted to reflect an individual animal. The head plaques are circled by a lariat and other seasonal embellishments if requested, for a total diameter of about 22”. Anderson’s work is incredibly lifelike and the final result is a lasting 3-D memento for individual owners.

Anderson comes from an artistic family, but has no formal training and was self-taught. She has an incredible background with horses, working on the Thoroughbred racing circuit for years and was Groom of the Year many times. She then went on to work for breeding and training farms and managed a show jumping facility for five years. Her most ambitious projects to date have been a life-size zebra, moose, elk, and bear, made from paper-mache.

You can find more about Anderson’s work on Facebook.