About chisos montaNa

I am captivated by the dynamics of action, nature, history, art and archaelogy.   

Growing up in the Llano Estacado of Texas, near the birthplace of Quanah Parker, I grew up hearing fascinating stories about "los comanches" in West Texas.  

Along with a passion for legendary American, Texan and Mexican heroes, these were some of the earliest formations of my cultural and artistic identity.  

Artistically, my passions were ignited by two things, 1) a children's illustrated bible that had some of the finest renderings of biblical story telling I ever saw and 2) the first time I saw horses up close on my Uncle's farm.  

From that day on I recognized my love for horses and passion for rendering horses. 

Comic books also had a profound impact on my drawing imagination. All the ingredients of story telling/boarding can be found in comic books: Dynamic draftsmanship, coloring, lighting, and story development.  With comic books my appreciation of graphic black and white art was born. 

Other impactful influences include, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, John Singer Sargent, Norman Rockwell, Winslow Homer, Jose Maria Velasco, Jose Guadalupe Posada and the Mexican surreallists.  

More current influences are Sir Alfred Munnings, Wilson Hurley and Peter Hurd along with the Taos Society of Artists. 

Lastly, where would the world of black and white be without Ansel Adams. 

Bottom line, if I can think it, if I can see it, if it inspires me then I will paint it.