Linsda Relyea
The Paw Print
Since 1985, local artist Jim Gilmore, has sculpted his love of nature and life on a ranch. A retrospective of his artwork opens in the Adams State University Cloyde Snook Gallery on October 21 and continues through November 14. An artist lecture will begin at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, in the Art Building room 227. An opening reception will follow the lecture, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
“In my art, I strive to share with others the love and respect I have for nature and the cowboy lifestyle. Living on our cattle ranch in the Rocky Mountains, I have had many extraordinary experiences throughout my life. Memories of an elk’s bugle echoing through a canyon, two black bear cubs exploring a new world or spending time packing into the high country of Colorado with horses are some of the many events that have inspired my work,” Gilmore said.
Gilmore was born and raised on a cattle ranch in Alamosa, where he continues to live. While growing up, he developed an early love for the surrounding mountains, Western and cowboy culture, and the wildlife that inhabit them. Combining this fascination with a life-long interest in art, Jim went from cattle rancher to full-time sculptor in 1985.
Gilmore believes an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and animal habits are very important qualities for an animal sculptor. He continues to spend many days in the mountains researching and photographing wildlife and around the ranch with his horses and mules, which adds to his knowledge of the subjects he sculpts.
The retrospective will also feature early paintings and leatherwork created by Gilmore.
The Hatfield Gallery exhibit will feature Kala Bronaugh, an art student during the same time frame.
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