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Ol’ Max Evans Tells Literary Stories in Paintings and DrawingsBy Johnny D. Boggs | Wild West | 10 comments | Print This Post | Email This Post Four numbered artist prints, crisply told in stark black-and-white from the watercolor and ink originals created more than a half-century ago, tell the story of the working cowboy’s West — at least, Max Evans’s vision of the working cowboy’s West. Subscribe Today
And few, if any, have ever argued with Max Evans’s vision. Today, he’s best-known as a writer, author of The Rounders and The Hi Lo Country (both turned into critically acclaimed movies), the irascible rapscallion who once broke director Sam Peckinpah’s ankle — “I was trying to break his neck.” — (Evans had a small role in Peckinpah’s The Ballad of Cable Hogue), winner of multiple Spur Awards, multiple Western Heritage Wrangler Awards and the 1990 Levi Strauss Saddleman Award for lifetime achievement in Western literature. He’s also the subject of Slim Randles’ biography, Ol’ Max Evans: The First Thousand Years. During ten centuries of living (in Max Evans years), he has done it all: working cowboy, soldier (he hit Omaha Beach on June 7, 1944), miner, actor, mystic, but mostly, writer. Yet before he became a literary icon, Evans was an artist in Taos, New Mexico. His knowledge of cowboys is quite evident in the numbered series of prints. Evans describes his creations:
Late For Supper: A weary cowhand rides to the bunkhouse in late night. “Working cowboys like this one because they know how that ol’ boy feels.”
Born in Ropes, Texas, in 1925, Evans arrived in Taos in 1949 with this vague idea of becoming an artist. “I don’t have any idea how I got interested in art,” he says. “As a little kid, I was always sketching or drawing something, but I’d had only three art lessons in my whole life.” He brought one painting, a World War II scene titled Normandy Night Fire. The expressionistic oil-on-canvas not only was accepted into a juried art show, it won the honored placement alongside several “Taos masters.” Eventually, he met Potawatomi Indian artist Woody Crumbo, who became Evans’s mentor. Honing his craft, Evans learned to mix mediums and take chances, which he would also learn to do in his fiction. Pages: 1 2
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10 Comments to “Ol’ Max Evans Tells Literary Stories in Paintings and Drawings”
I have 3 of those pictured above, “Bustin Drifts”, “Look Out Ma”, “In My Valley” plus 3 others. They are: “The Race”, “Oh, For The Wings Of An Angel”, and “Just a Little Country Show”. They have a 4″ matt and are signed but have never been framed. Do you also have these? Can you tell me the value of this collection or where I can get such info? Thank you very much for any assistance.
By Shirley Duffield on Aug 9, 2008 at 2:12 am
I have a Max Evans framed print of “Bustin Drifts”. The mat has has the name of the print under the left side and under the right side, the name of the artist, Max Evans. These appear to be hand written. the print is 9×12. the frame is 17×19. frame backing is from a brown paper grocery-like bag with the bag makers logo still on the paper. I like the print. Does it have any value? How can I find out it’s value? Thank you for your time.
By Ken Eakes on Sep 7, 2008 at 9:16 pm
I have a painting of in my valley if anyone would like to buy it or for info, or can tell me how much it is worth please e- mail me at trakkjock@gmail.com please dont spam.
By Jack Woodshun on Sep 12, 2008 at 4:01 pm
it has a frame and is in excellent condition also if you have any quetions dont hesitate to ask
By Jack Woodshun on Sep 12, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I just now realized that I also have Look out Ma! and Bustin’ Drifts too. If you have any info on what they are worth please tell me. they both have frames and in excellent condition. I will consider selling these even though they are my grandpa’s. My e- maill is still trakkjock@gmail.com and no spam please.
By Jack Woodshun on Sep 12, 2008 at 4:09 pm
they are all signed to.
By Jack Woodshun on Sep 12, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I have a print of a boot signed by Max Evans 1978. What is the value? Thanks, Santiago
By Santiago on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:23 pm
I have two of these prints which have been remarqued and signed by the artist. Does anyone have information on value/collectibility??
By Gary Mahan on Apr 22, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Reference Max Evans question above, please contact Gary Mahan at garymahan@yahoo.com
By Gary Mahan on Apr 22, 2009 at 9:17 pm
I have four personally autographed to me by Max in the late 70s or maybe early 80s: Late for Supper; In My Valley; Look Out Ma; and, Bustin Drifts. They are treasures and “ain’t fer sale.” They come from a time when Max and Pat and I were able to spend a little time together. Max taught me how to use the word, “wonderous”
Those times were truly wonderous
By Steve Gammill on May 19, 2009 at 2:05 pm