Artist of the Missouri Hunters Display

Artist 1:  Kyle Carroll - "Missouri Travelers" Sketch

 

           Kyle Carroll

                               Missouri Travelers

Kyle Carroll was one of the first Missouri artist I contacted while still at the 2015 CLA show, to obtain his input and collaborative support for the Missouri Hunters display.  We corresponded via letter and E-mail over the next 10 months, with his suggestions and artistic insight being extremely helpful.  The sketch he delivered in early July, 2016, titled Missouri Travelers" was, in my humble opinion, extremely appropriate to the theme and look of the display, and supported the "story" this display is intended to tell.  While the original sketch is sized 11" X 14", Kyle gave permission to copy the sketch and size it to the display.  The copy of the original is what is contained on the "storyboard" of the display.

Kyle provided in his own words the details of how this sketch came together:

"As far as the drawing goes, the original camp photograph that I worked from was taken near the mouth of the Osage river during a film shoot I did for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) several years ago, telling the story of the wild turkeys return to Missouri.  The two figures were shot in different places.  The hunter on the left is Jesse Maines who lives in Kentucky.  The photo of him that I used as a reference was taken in Indiana at the Feast of the Hunters Moon several years ago.  The hunter on the right was Michael Agee, who lives in Tennessee.  That photo was shot in Colorado at Bent's Fort last fall.  So like the "Missouri Hunters", these guys came from all over.  You can go to the actual sight of the camp.  It's now a MDC wildlife area. I  think it's called Pawnee Rock, on the west bank of the Osage, just below the mouth of the Missouri (river).  I just wanted to represent a typical temporary shelter that these guys would have used."

The follow information about Kyle is from his "Kyle Carroll Art" web site (http://www.kylecarrollart.com):

"Born in Cameron Missouri in 1957, Kyle Carroll has been a "student of the woods" since his youth. His art and the subjects he paints are a reflection of a life long interest in wildlife, the outdoors and America's history. Researching his work and physically experiencing the outdoors hunting, or during living history events and treks into the wilderness with his muzzleloader in period gear, have helped him develop an affinity with the hardy breed of men and women who lived and died on the frontier.

An artist with a biology, hunter, historian and re-enactor background, Carroll brings a unique perspective to his work. Carroll's knowledge of frontier America and it's natural history combined with his experiences in nature and America’s wild places give Carroll a unique reservoir of inspiration to draw from as an artist. Having felt the bite of a late winter wind with flintlock in hand pursuing white tailed deer, hearing the whine of mosquitoes on a journey by water, visiting historical sites, researching history and portraying historical characters on film all have inspired and influenced his art.

While earning a Biology degree, Carroll studied art at Mid America Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas and at William Jewel College in Liberty, Missouri, but remains largely self taught, learning from other artist friends and his own experience. Carroll has been influenced by artists like Tom Lovell and David Wright. Kyle retired from the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 2014 and now paints full time.

"I want my art to tell a story, like a window into the past. I feel like I have a duty as an historian to be as accurate as possible." Carroll visits the areas he paints and researches his subjects before he begins work on each project.

Kyle continues to reside with his wife, Sharon , on a wooded hill side above historic lost creek near Maysville, Missouri."

More of his art can be seen at his web site gallery:  http://www.kylecarrollart.com/gallery.html

Kyle is a great artist, creating art that will allow your imagination to journey to another time and place.  Please spend some time visiting his web site, and if inclined, getting to know him yourself.  I promise your life will be richer because of the experience......I know mine is....

Wishbone

Missouri Hunters Display at the 20th CLA Show

Here is the final display as set up at the 20th annual Contemporary Longrifle Association Show in Lexington, KY August 19th & 20th:

Missouri Hunters Display - Update

     

       Artists  The Missouri Artists who are being featured in the initial display are identified as follows: 

The centerpiece of this project is the display copy of the original sketch “Missouri Travelers” by Kyle Carroll.  Kyle’s work is well known in longrifle art circles, and is especially appropriate to the theme of this display. Kyle Carroll, Maysville, MO  kylec@centurytel.net or 816 449-5452 

1.   Longrifle in .40 caliber, forged iron furniture and walnut stock, built in a collaborative effort between Larry Callahan and Paul Bigham, who is a Missouri native temporary residing in the Illinois Territory.  Larry Callahan,  Pevely, MO callahanrifles@yahoo.com or 314 288-05439  Paul Bigham, Red Bud, IL lptabigham@aol.com or  618 473-2021

2.  Bain-tan bag, horn, and knife set by Matt Fennewald, Clarksburg, Mo  m.fennewald@hotmail.com or 573 787-2005

3.  Antler handled belt knife by Chris Gau, De Soto, MO chris.gau@cejarrell.com or 314 267-9735

4.  Forged axe by Doug Warren, Holden, MO  doug_w@isp.com   or (816) 682-7963

5.  Primitive bowl by Jeff Bottiger, Edgar Springs, MO jbhorns@fidmail.com or (573) 435-0021

6.  Forged axe by Andy Hawkins, Mexico, MO ahawkins1873@gmail.com or 573 253-3245

7.  Antler handled belt and neck knives by Glen Mock, Mercer, MO  mock@grm.net or  660 382-5862    

8.  Longrifle in .45 Caliber  with forged iron furniture and maple stock by Chuck Edwards, Bloomfield, MO wipingstick@msn.com  or 573-421-5098

9.  Brain-tan hunting coat by Matt Fennewald Clarksburg, Mo m.fennewald@hotmail.com or 573 787-2005

10.  Bark-tan hunting bag by Eric Van Alstine, Higbee, MO eric.vanalstine@gmail.com  or 573 721-8961

11.  Powder horn with “squirrel hide repair” by Harris Maupin, Hillsboro, MO horner_HM@yahoo.com or 636 586-8977

12.  Scrimshawed blowing horn by Jeff Bottiger, Edgar Springs, MO  jbhorns@fidmail.com or 573 435-0021

"Of One Heart"

Many of the Missouri artists whose art is featured in the initial rendition of the Missouri Hunters display, have also collaborated to create an "Of One Heart" set for the 2016 Contemporary Longrifle Foundation auction set for August 19th, 2016, in Lexington, KY, in conjunction with the Contemporary Longrifle Association annual show.

The 20th Anniversary CLF Fund Raising Auction features twenty-nine items from the efforts of over forty-five CLA artists. The auction will take place at 5:00 p.m. in the Grand Ball Room of the Lexington Convention Center (400 W. Vine Street, Lexington, Kentucky). The live auction is reserved for CLA members only, but there is a special prorated membership rate of $20 at the door. For those unable to attend in person, including non-members, an absentee bidding process has been made available via e-mail and the USPS. For questions, contact the Contemporary Longrifle Association directly at 540-886-6189.

Additional Photos & Info at:  "Of One Heart"

thanks for looking.....


wishbone

Missouri Hunters Project Update

Working on the lay-out/design of the display.  The "centerpiece" will be Kyle Carroll's "Missouri Travelers" sketch, which he created just for this display.  It will make it's public debut at the CLA show as part of the display, but here is a "sneak peak" of my working it into the lay-out, along with some of the other art items.  Some of what you see displayed was created by Missouri artists for this display, and some of it is just stuff I put into the lay-out to reserve a spot for the actual item which I don't yet have.  Each artist will receive recognition on this blog, at a future time, once the display is finished.  We will also be adding new Missouri artists from time to time, as this is intended to be an "ongoing", living educational and promotional display.

Thanks for looking!

Wishbone

Background on the Missouri Hunter Project

Background:

This project started as an idea which came to me at the Contemporary Longrifle Association annual show in Lexington, in August, 2015.   The basic idea is based on the "Southern Traveler" display which was at the show.  It occurred to me that one could create a display that could be taken to public events to both educate people on history and the "longrifle" culture, as well as promote the many talented longrifle culture artists, of which Missouri is blessed.

After bouncing this idea off a number of truly talented artist such as David Wright, Ian Prat, Kyle Carroll, my own son, Matt Fennewald, and others, and with suggestions along the way from each of the Missouri artist promoted in this project, another journey begins.

Background/Panels explaining the display:

The panels read as follows:

Panel 1:

In an earlier time, in areas of the East including Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, there was a phenomena involving groups of men who would go out on expeditions beginning in late fall, not coming back home to their families until early spring.  On these extended expeditions, they hunted and trapped for both fur and food, and traveled long distances.  They have since been labeled “longhunters”.  This collective group of “rough and brambled” men explored and charted much of the ever expanding American frontier for future settlement.

The era lasted a relatively short period of time. This way of life which began in the mid 1700’s with people like the Harmon brothers, John Findley, Elisha Walden and the Boones, generally coming to an end by 1780 when the eastern frontier states of Virginia and Kentucky became settled.  However, in men like John Coulter, who served as a scout for the Lewis & Clark expedition, that spirit of adventure drove exploration of the uncharted West well into the early 1800s.

Panel 2:

Some of these men, such as Daniel Boone. Elisha Walden, John Hughes, and others, did not accept the routine “genteel” life with its ever increasing taxation and government regulations, as found in established settlements in Kentucky and other Eastern states. They chose to migrate and live out their old age in the more unsettled and unconfined Spanish Missouri Territory which is now the State of Missouri.

{Image of an original sketch by Kyle Carroll titled "Missouri Travelers"}

Daniel Boone moved from Kentucky and settled in the Spanish Missouri Territory in 1799, west of the Mississippi River, near present day Defiance, Missouri. Elisha Wallen and John Hughes came to Missouri in 1806, and settled near present Ironton, Missouri.  John Coulter, when done exploring, settled near New Haven, Missouri circa 1810.

In 1817, at eighty-four years of age, Boone went on what would become his last extended hunt to the cold, blustery Missouri prairie. It is written that Boone's’ son Nathan, later said: “ Father was exhilarated to be camping out

 Panel 3:

again. He had brought his gun, his kettle, a light axe, provisions and two or three traps. He seemed to feel himself in his ancient element. After the evening meal, he told stories of his olden- time adventures”.

The era of the longhunter was ending...”

The “Missouri Hunters” display is a collection of a hunter’s tools and equipment which were commonplace on the Spanish Missouri frontier circa 1815-1820.  If men such as Boone, Wallen, Hughes, or Coulter were allowed by their Creator to come back to the area where they lived out their lives, before going to the eternal hunting ground beyond, and revisit their “ancient element” by going on one last extended hunt, these are the tool a pair of hunters might want to find waiting for them in their station camp.

This display is also a tribute to the Missouri artists who are keeping this epic tradition and love of adventure alive. Much of that same spirit of these past hunters is present in their art.

(Info on artists & art can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/MissouriHunters )

The Display:

The display will initially contain guns, bags & horns, and a sundry of other items a pair of hunters on the Spanish Missouri frontier might have used, or would be familiar with if they were to re-appear today and go on one more last hunt.  The panels will serve as a backdrop, and the guns, bags & horns,, and other items will be displayed leaning on an old log with a burnt out campfire, kettle, etc.

God willing, this display will make it's debut appearance at the 2016 Contemporary Longrifle Association annual meeting in Lexington, KY August 19-20, 2016.

Thanks for looking and stay tuned as we start to add artist's info and photos of their work.

Be humble,and don't stumble......

Wishbone