Imagine being privileged to sit around a camp fire with a few of the American Storytellers from different eras of our great country.  This wonderful scene of these famous men gathered under a full moon to share their amazing stories could only be created by the very talented Thomas.  History comes to life as these gentlemen of various walks of life recall people, events, and places.  As one of the American Storytellers enthralls the group, who will be next with a great tale of his own?  CAn you identify each of these American Storytellers?

Andy Thomas painted this piece specifically for the 2008 C.M. Russell Museum Show and Auction. The painting (a 36" x 48" oil on canvas) sold for a record $180,000 at auction and was the "talk" of the show. Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway was active in the bidding, but failed in his attempt to have the winning bid.
Just as Russell is well-known for the narrative in his paintings, Andy Thomas is highly esteemed for his storytelling. This piece is a particularly good example. Charlie Russell shows off his newest creation to friends at his favorite watering hole, and his friends, all character themselves from an assortment of Russell paintings, crowd around to admire, and maybe critique, his work.
THE TIME is the mid 1890s before Russell married Nancy. At this time, he often sold or traded his paintings to the saloons. When married, Nancy put the artist on a new marketing path.

THE PLACE is the Mint Saloon.
THE COWBOYS faces and clothing were taken from many Russell paintings.
THE WOMAN came from the watercolor, "Just a Little Pleasure"
THE INDIAN shows up in several Russell paintings including "Joe Kipp's Trading Post.
THE CHARACTER ON THE FAR RIGHT was the shooter in his painting "The Tenderfoot".
The bartender did not appear in any Russell paintings, but rather makes his first appearance in this Thomas painting.

Missouri artist Andy Thomas loves painting exciting moments in the Old West, much in the same way that Charles Russell did. "Desperate Ride" entices the viewer with the beginning of the tale: riders in trouble and desperate. We are left to wonder why. Are they the good guys or the "baddies"? Will they escape or will their desperate ride end in capture or even death? Excitement and narrative: the keystones of an Andy Thomas painting

Andy Thomas paints action-packed Western scenes that come to life on his canvases.  Loving to tell stories with his paint brush, the artist has created one of his trademark, lively scenes. The Wild West had many kinds of characters, from lawmen, to gentlemen, to outlaws, who sometimes clashed when someone would start a "Fight at the Watering Hole." 

Ronald W. Reagan, beloved 40th President of the United States (1981-1989), is truly an American icon.  This all-American boy grew up and lived the American dream.  From playing college football to sports announcer to movie star to Governor of California to the greatest dream of all as President of the United States.
President Reagan loved the outdoors and relished the times he spent on his ranch near Santa Barbara.  Called Rancho del Cielo (Ranch in the Sky), this retreat conveyed the true spirit of Reagan's practical, down-to-earth manner and his core principles:  humility, idealism, diligence, and hard work.  In this wonderful portrait by Andy Thomas, perhaps President Reagan had just finished one of his favorite activities at his ranch such as chopping wood or riding his horse.
President Reagan genuinely loved his country and proudly told the world that he looked upon America as a great "shining city on a hill."  As the commander-in-Chief of America, Reagan boldly endorsed a "peace through strength" policy that served and protected the world.
Known as "the great communicator," Reagan possessed an excellent speaking ability, sense of humor, and beloved wit.  Many wonderful quotes have been attributed to President Reagan; here are but a couple:  "If we forget that we're one nation under god, then we will be a nation gone under."......"Whatever else history may say about me when I'm gone, I hope it will record that I appealed to your best hopes, not your worst fears; to your confidence rather than your doubts.  My dream is that you will travel the road ahead with liberty's lamp guiding you."

On June 3, 2009, Mrs. Reagan helped unveil the Ronald Reagan statue in the U. S. Capitol.  President Ronald W. Reagan passed away on June 5, 2004.  DF

These cowboys know it's time to move the herd as fast as possible with threatening skies looming behind them.  They know the storm is about to overtake them and their cattle. You can almost hear the thundering hooves as the frightened herd moves together across the plain.  Sheltering man and animal on the open range can be a cowhand's  ultimate challenge when nature displays its full fury.  Andy Thomas's work has been compared to the late Remington's for the color and action that bring the viewer into the image. 

Andy Thomas has brought to life a group of several writers who were very talented at telling "Tales of the Old West."  This entertaining scene, thanks to Thomas's imagination and his brush, brings together some of America's well-knowm, beloved writers and other characters sharing their stories.  With all the vivid details that make the artist's paintings so wonderful, we find writers such as Mark Twain to Willa Cather.
One of these tellers of tales was Jim Baker, who is featured enthralling the group with a story.  In 1839, he left the civilized world to become a mountain man in the vast and cruel American West.  Baker survived to live long enough to see the city of Denver emerge where he and the Arapho and Cheyenne had once roamed. 
By 1895, Denver had 120,000 people with a telephone system, an opera house, and modern refrigeration.  Baker could enjoy a frosty Coors beer or perhaps an ice cream sundae.  In the Denver Evening Post, he could read the news from Europe, and perhaps events of the same day, thanks to transatlantic cables.  From Denver, Baker could have traveled in a comfortable rail car across the continent.
Denver had everything except Baker's tales of the old West.

Andy Thomas has an amazing ability to tell a story in his paintings. In this image, many of the music world's late, great talents gather together in a scene that captures the viewer's imagination.  You will recognize many of the most famous and favorite muscians and beloved icons of all time.  Can you find the many personalities at this party?  The greats included in this image are:  Hank Williams, Louis Armstrong, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Roy Orbison, Jim Croce, Frank Sinatra, John Lennon, John Denver, Bessie Smith, Bill Haley, Jim Morrison, Marvin Gaye, Cass Elliott, Sam Cook, Jerry Garcia, Elvis, Scott Joplin, Selena, Kurt Cobaine, Billie Holliday, Jimmie Rodgers, Patsy cline, Aaliyah, Buddy Holly, and a "mystery man."  Who's the pirate, why, Andy, of course! DF

Andy Thomas creates tales of the old West on his canvases as only a master storyteller can.  The action comes alive as the bad guys on horseback kick up the dust while making their escape.  A little burro that apears too close to the fight dashes away from the crime scene.  In this amazing image, "The Burro and the Bad Men" seem to almost leap form the canvas.

What a wild ride through the rough landscape these outlaws are taking!  With no place else to go, these men drive their horses into the river hoping to escape the posse that must be in hot pursuit of them.  These desperados are trying to beat the odds of being captured as they make their escape into the water.  Andy Thomas's work has been compared with the late Remington as a master storyteller in his images.  With all the color and action of a wild West scene, Thomas brings the viewer into the story and makes his characters come alive.

It’s lonely at the top!
Our Presidents have a uniquely solitary job. They surround themselves with the strength and wisdom of talented and experienced people, but as Harry Truman once said, “The buck stops here.” We can hardly imagine the weight of decisions they must bear. Perhaps that is why we are so familiar with the before and after photographs depicting the accelerated ageing process while in office. These leaders deserve some time to relax and unwind.
Some of the greatest times anyone can enjoy are when we can let our guard down because we are among those who have been where we have been: people who know the truth and don’t make harsh judgments. We can have a great time with each other especially after the challenge has been met and the heat is off. We can talk, commiserate and just be ourselves.
Who do former presidents hang out with? Wouldn’t it be just a great time if they could “let their hair down” together and just have a time to laugh and remember? Can you imagine that?

Well, here they are:
“True Blues”
Democrats (Counterclockwise around the table beginning in lower left): Carter, F. Roosevelt, Jackson Truman, Johnson, Wilson, Kennedy, Clinton

The Art of Andy Thomas
His subject matter consists of a variety of images from
 historical events to intimate moments of everyday life.