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Writer Don Hedgpeth answers 7
Hedgpeth help write book on painter featured at Vail's Clagget/Rey Gallery
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By Besse Lynch
Daily Correspondent
VAIL, Colorado — Have you ever met a real cowboy, Vail Valley? Chances are you would know it when it happens.
And so it goes with the art world. We tend to know it when we see it. That's how it was for Don Hedgpeth, a native Texan, historian, freelance writer, western art consultant, and yes, a real life cowboy.
Don Hedgpeth, longtime collaborator and colleague of the Claggett/Rey Gallery in Vail, is the contributing writer for a new book, “Robert Lougheed: Follow the Sun,” from Diamond Trail Press. The book commemorates the Claggett/Rey Gallery's collection of Lougheed's work and its newly opened Lougheed Studio Gallery and Museum.
Hedgpeth will be making a visit to The Bookworm of Edwards Saturday night to celebrate the release of Follow the Sun and share his thoughts on western art, and cowboy life.
What was it like growing up as a fifth-generation Texan?
I think when I was very little I thought Texas was the whole world and I didn't know any different. I am still proud of it today, but more so with reason. It's a place where you just feel like you belong.
Were you exposed to art from an early age?
I swear I was 25 years old before I had ever seen an original painting or piece of sculpture. I wasn't much aware of the concept of art until I was in college. The biggest thing in my life at that point was rodeo. My initial epiphany about art was the summer of 1964 when I went to Montana to wrangle horses. It was the territorial centennial for Montana and it was big deal. The art of Charlie Russell, known as the father of cowboy art, was featured all over Montana's promotions for the centennial celebration. That was the first time I was really aware of looking at a painting opposed to a photograph. I think it could be like the difference between reading a straight piece of journalism and a poem.
How did you become familiar with Robert Lougheed's work?
I ended up in Oklahoma working at the cowboy hall of fame and he exhibited art at the museum and by then I was fairly sophisticated in my knowledge of art — at least Western art. I had liked his work before I met him and knowing him enhanced my appreciation of his art because I understood what he was about.
We know you as a great appreciator of art, but do you ever create your own artwork?
No, absolutely not. I can recognize it when I see it, but I have no command whatsoever of the magic and chemistry that make up true art. I think that those who make art are the least capable of appreciating what makes good art. I think I can be objective.
Is there a piece of art that has most inspired you in life?
Oh gee, you know Bill Rey and I play this game and we have for several years, and it changes all the time. The big difference in my perspective on individual pieces is that I used to only value authenticity, and today I am more drawn to the artistic accomplishment first and then to the subject matter. Just because it is authentic doesn't mean that it is worthy as art. The best thing is when you can find both of those things in an artist's work, and that's how Lougheed's art is.
This is not your first book for Diamond Trail Press. How did you become a part of creating these books about Western art?
It was about friendship first and a mutual interest in the subject. We had a track record and then Claggett/Rey Gallery acquired the Lougheed studio collection. The book was seen as coming full circle, it is a validation of the collection.
Do you consider yourself a cowboy?
People who are cowboys don't get to call themselves cowboys. It's for other cowboys to say. But, I sure do like to ride horses and work cattle and be on ranches.
Besse Lynch works for The Bookworm of Edwards. E-mail questions about this story to cschnell@vaildaily.com.
Hedgpeth help write book on painter featured at Vail's Clagget/Rey Gallery
========
I
By Besse Lynch
Daily Correspondent
VAIL, Colorado — Have you ever met a real cowboy, Vail Valley? Chances are you would know it when it happens.
And so it goes with the art world. We tend to know it when we see it. That's how it was for Don Hedgpeth, a native Texan, historian, freelance writer, western art consultant, and yes, a real life cowboy.
Don Hedgpeth, longtime collaborator and colleague of the Claggett/Rey Gallery in Vail, is the contributing writer for a new book, “Robert Lougheed: Follow the Sun,” from Diamond Trail Press. The book commemorates the Claggett/Rey Gallery's collection of Lougheed's work and its newly opened Lougheed Studio Gallery and Museum.
Hedgpeth will be making a visit to The Bookworm of Edwards Saturday night to celebrate the release of Follow the Sun and share his thoughts on western art, and cowboy life.
What was it like growing up as a fifth-generation Texan?
I think when I was very little I thought Texas was the whole world and I didn't know any different. I am still proud of it today, but more so with reason. It's a place where you just feel like you belong.
Were you exposed to art from an early age?
I swear I was 25 years old before I had ever seen an original painting or piece of sculpture. I wasn't much aware of the concept of art until I was in college. The biggest thing in my life at that point was rodeo. My initial epiphany about art was the summer of 1964 when I went to Montana to wrangle horses. It was the territorial centennial for Montana and it was big deal. The art of Charlie Russell, known as the father of cowboy art, was featured all over Montana's promotions for the centennial celebration. That was the first time I was really aware of looking at a painting opposed to a photograph. I think it could be like the difference between reading a straight piece of journalism and a poem.
How did you become familiar with Robert Lougheed's work?
I ended up in Oklahoma working at the cowboy hall of fame and he exhibited art at the museum and by then I was fairly sophisticated in my knowledge of art — at least Western art. I had liked his work before I met him and knowing him enhanced my appreciation of his art because I understood what he was about.
We know you as a great appreciator of art, but do you ever create your own artwork?
No, absolutely not. I can recognize it when I see it, but I have no command whatsoever of the magic and chemistry that make up true art. I think that those who make art are the least capable of appreciating what makes good art. I think I can be objective.
Is there a piece of art that has most inspired you in life?
Oh gee, you know Bill Rey and I play this game and we have for several years, and it changes all the time. The big difference in my perspective on individual pieces is that I used to only value authenticity, and today I am more drawn to the artistic accomplishment first and then to the subject matter. Just because it is authentic doesn't mean that it is worthy as art. The best thing is when you can find both of those things in an artist's work, and that's how Lougheed's art is.
This is not your first book for Diamond Trail Press. How did you become a part of creating these books about Western art?
It was about friendship first and a mutual interest in the subject. We had a track record and then Claggett/Rey Gallery acquired the Lougheed studio collection. The book was seen as coming full circle, it is a validation of the collection.
Do you consider yourself a cowboy?
People who are cowboys don't get to call themselves cowboys. It's for other cowboys to say. But, I sure do like to ride horses and work cattle and be on ranches.
Besse Lynch works for The Bookworm of Edwards. E-mail questions about this story to cschnell@vaildaily.com.
