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Tom Mix - Hell Bent for Leather 1928 Print from $ 75.00

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Tom Mix - Hell Bent for Leather 1928 Print

$ 75.00

Dennis Karchner, Artist statement:

This oil painting is titled Tom Mix - Hell Bent For Leather 1928, that features the famous silent-era movie cowboy star, Tom Mix. This piece was featured in the TRAVELING THE WEST ART SHOW & SALE in Dallas Texas in October 2015. The photo of Mix that I used as reference was an old black and white with Mix on his Henderson Motorcycle taken in 1928. It was most likely taken where he lived in Oklahoma. The famous Henderson Motorcycles were manufactured in Detroit from 1912 until the coming of the Depression in 1931. The Henderson was used by many police forces in the country because of its speed. Its powerful four cylinder engine could out run anything out there, car or motorcycle at the time.

The classic bi-plane in the background I chose is a famous 1928 Boeing Army 100/P-12 which now resides in the The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. It is capable of speeds of up 170mph! I decided it was most appropriate to paint Mix and the Boeing racing through Monument Valley, Arizona.

An important side note of why I picked Mix is that he was born in Medix Run, Pennsylvania on January 6, 1880, a few miles away from where I grew up in the mountains of Central Pennsylvania. The little town of Medix Run is located near the city of DuBois. For years you could look down from the Rt. 144 highway and see the old foundation of his original homestead which burned down many years ago. Funds were raised not long ago to rebuild the house and create a Tom Mix Museum there. My Mom, Elaine, a Mix fan as well, donated a couple of pieces of baby furniture to the cause. One other 1928 connection is my Mom, Elaine, who was born that same year is why I’m dedicating this painting to her. Love you Mom!!

I'll tell you a few more facts about Tom that I thought are worth mentioning. Tom was one of the pallbearers at the funeral of Wyatt Earp. Back in the day, someone had written that they actually saw the tough hearted Tom Mix wiping away a tear. Tom died October 12, 1940 in Florence, Arizona while driving his now famous pale yellow, custom Cord Phaeton convertible. His small, metal makeup suitcase flew up from the back seat on impact and hit him in the back of the head. Witnesses on a construction site, who he was trying to avoid hitting, said that he actually jumped out of the car after it stopped like he was just fine, to fall over dead a few seconds later. Lastly, probably my most favorite album is The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It appears that the Beatles were big fans of Tom Mix as well. His cutout graces that very cover with all the other who’s whos.

The painting is traditional oils on museum grade Ampersand Gessobord Masonite. This took a total of 100 plus hours to complete.

Dimensions: 24" W x 18" H

Signed and numbered prints available. Edition of 150. Make your size selection from the drop-down menu.

Original is SOLD.

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The Mountain Man of Castle Rock from $ 75.00

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The Mountain Man of Castle Rock

$ 75.00

Just recently, Denny had the extreme pleasure of meeting a man, well known and well loved by many in Cody, his name, Sheldon Hanson. He was 70 years of age at the time of this painting. Sheldon actually lives right across the river from “Castle Rock.” As you look out the front window of Denny’s home on the Lower South Fork of the Shoshone River, which faces southwest, you see the famous landmark, called “Castle Rock” about three miles away. It juts up from the valley floor and stands all by itself. It rises several hundred above the floor of the valley. “Castle Rock” actually climbs to 6,010 feet (1,831.85 meters) above sea level. The ranch sits at about 5300 feet above sea level to give you an idea how high it is. As the “Castle Rock” sign says: “John Colter, famed among the famous breed of Mountain Men, passed this landmark late in the fall of 1807 while on business for the fur trader Manual Lisa. Searching for Indians in order to conduct trade, he also hunted salt caves reputedly located near the headwaters of this stream then known as the ‘stinking water.’ On his journey, Colter not only discovered this later named Shoshone River but he also became the first recorded white man to visit the upper Wind River, Jackson’s Hole and Yellowstone Park. His lonely trek, compounding the normal dangers of savage wilderness by mid winter passage of a broad and lofty mountain range, lives in history and legend an epic of fortitudinous exploration.” There is a lot of other history that is based around this famous landmark. To this day, you can still see the original “teepee rings” around the base. This piece is traditional oils on Masonite.

Edition of 250. Make your size selection from the drop-down menu.

Original has been sold.

Dimensions: 24" x 18"

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