“I address the action and energy of the horse and rider in conflict, one aspect of rodeo. I intend to present it in a contemporary painterly manner without the romance and sentiment that so often dominates Western Americana subjects.” — Walter Piehl
While we’re not physically connecting with many artists right now because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Senior Curator Christine Brindza is catching up with some TMA collection artists for virtual conversations about their past work, current practice and works in progress. These chats are part of Cookies with a Curator – a series of conversations about art (and sweets).
North Dakota artist Walter Piehl, Jr. is an abstract expressionist, rodeo rider, professor and peanut butter cookie lover. According to his website, “I like art, rodeo and putting on paint… but not necessarily in that order.”
This conversation was recorded in February 2021.
About the Artist
Walter Piehl, Jr., is a North Dakota artist who specializes in abstract expressionist images of the American West, with particular focus on rodeo riders in motion. Trained in art and printmaking from the University of North Dakota and University of Minnesota, he became an established professor at Minot State University in North Dakota while pursuing the creation of his own work. His work is included in museums including the Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson, AZ; Rockwell Museum, Corning, NY; Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis, IN; Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, WY; CM Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT and many others.
