Clark Kelley Price, b. 1945, Idaho Falls, ID, (United States

Clark Kelley Price is a traditional oil painter of cowboys, wildlife, early Western trappers and Indians.  He was raised in Montana and Idaho where he was often around the elk, deer and moose that are found in many of his works. He states, “I’ve always loved to draw since my earliest recollections.  Growing up in the West, my subjects were often wild animals, horses and cowboys.  I first remember seeing the paintings of Charlie Russell in a big book in an Idaho Falls bookstore when I was about 13 years old and I was mesmerized the works.  That’s when I fell in love with Western Art.”  Price was also inspired by Remington, Harold Van Schmit, John Clymer, Charlie Dye, George Phippen, Joe Beeler and Bill.

In addition to being skilled in the physical aspects of drawing, composition, color sense and perspective, he brings to his paintings another more elusive ingredient. This vital ingredient comes from his heart and his mind, rather than from his eye or his hand. It has to do with his feeling and dedication to the spirit of the Old West. He says, “Detail is relatively important to me, but is secondary to the 'mood.’  Life and circumstances create so many moods that I am captivated by.” Price is also fascinated by “the way light and shadow patterns occur in various conditions in nature,” challenging him to” “capture the essence of it.” 

The ideas for his paintings come from a variety of sources, including photographs, movies and stories.  He spends an average of eight hours per day painting in his studio.  The sketching and research can require one to two weeks before he actually begins the painting. He says, “It’s so much fun trying to bring to life something you’ve seen, been a part of or just heard or read about, or even imagined could have been.  Artists live in their own world.  It is a thrill to know others enjoy and love the things you have created.  That is the real payoff for me ~ when someone is moved emotionally because of something I have painted.” Price currently resides in Wyoming.