Pour L'Amour de L'Ouest (For the Love of the West)

"So much of my passion for the West has been inspired by the work of Louis L'Amour. He manages to capture both the romance and grit of the American West, and I hope to convey a similar sense of this nostalgia through my work." Dennis Bredow

My 2024 Summer show at Courtney Collins Fine Art celebrates a romanticized view of the West with a body of work inspired by the titles of Louis L'Amour novels and short stories. With words that have so heavily influenced our perception and understanding of the American West, L'Amour is the perfect muse.

The idea for the show was sparked by my daughter. She suggested I paint one of my Western pieces in the style of a vintage French poster. Once I realized that "L'Amour" was the connecting thread, the rest was history.

L'Amour is synonymous with love and the West. Acclaimed author Louis L'Amour romanticized the American West, portraying it as a land of adventure, opportunity, and rugged individualism. This has significantly shaped public perception of the American cowboy and frontier life. His work bridges American and French cultures, highlighting the universal appeal of his storytelling and the romanticism of the Western frontier. 

In my painting process, the title has always been secondary to the image-making. Taking my inspiration from Louis L'Amour was exciting, but it also meant the title came first. This created a new challenge of creating the imagery to match the words. In the end, I found it to be a powerful and effective way of working. 
Dennis Bredow

In this collection, I have not only translated many of the titles or parts of titles into French, but I have also paired certain paintings with specific quotes from Louis L'Amour's work. This deliberate combination of images and words creates a narrative within each piece, inviting viewers to explore a deeper story. The impact of that narrative will vary, depending on how the words and images resonate with each individual. This fusion aims to evoke personal interpretations and emotional connections, making each artwork a unique experience for every viewer.

You can view all of the finished works here - or join us for the opening reception. The work will be on display from July 17th through the end of the month.

Opening reception: July 17th, 2024, 5-8pm - Courtney Collins Fine Art, Big Sky MT.