Joe Grandee - Original, 9"X12", Soldier

Joe Ruiz Grandee - Original, 9" X 12", Soldier, graphite/pencil .  Joe was the first official Texas State Artist to be named in 1971.  To aid and assist his artwork, he became a great collector of cowboy and Indian articles and reference material.  He believed it was important to visualize his intended art as it really was prior to sketching / painting.  These included but were not limited to vintage clothing, guns, horse and frontier homestead gear, etc.  Joe Grandee was also known as the "King of the Covers" having the distinction of being able to claim 24 - True West, 18 - Frontier Times, 7 - Old West, 2 - The Westerner and 1 - Wild West magazine covers as part of his artistic accomplishments.  He was active as a sculptor, illustrator, and painter of portraits, military scenes, and the history of the true west.  His original works are rare and valuable.