Justin Wells likes to draw horses. He has been drawing and painting the West for over fifty years. Western landscapes, peo
ple and animals have captivated him all of his life, but horses are his continuing passion.
Born in Oklahoma and raised in the Southwest, Wells has lived in the Panhandle of Texas for most of his adult life. "I moved here because it's big ranch country," says the artist. "There are ranches that still run a wagon, rope horses out of a remuda, and drag calves to the fire like they did a hundred years ago. It's also the country of Billy the Kid, Charlie Siringo, Quanah Parker, and Charles Goodnight. You can still go to some of the places they went and see what they saw. Nothing much has changed here."
The big country attracted Wells. "I have always loved this shortgrass, flat top, mesa country. You can see into the middle of next week."
Wells wasn't a stranger to a cowboy ways. He grew up horseback- roping and riding good, registered, foundation bred Quarter Horses his father and grandfather raised. Wells worked his way through high school and college starting colts for the family and neighbors. He always had plenty of broncs to ride- all he wanted.
He also had plenty of horses to draw and paint. "I love the way they look, standing still or moving. Horses are works of art in themselves. For centuries, people have selectively bred them for size, conformation, or color- however the breeder chooses. Horses are each and every one a genetic sculpture."
Wells and his wife opened a studio and gallery over twenty years ago. At that time, he was elected to the Texas Cowboy Artists't Association (TCA). His paintings, drawings, and sculptures wer show in their annual shows. He won numerous awards for his works. In 1979, he served as President of the group.
To celebrate the sesquicentennial of the Lone Star State, the TCA developed a large art book called "The Texas Cowboy." It was published by Texas Christian University Press. Wells loved the experience and went on to illustrate other books and magazine articles. "It seems that for every picture I do, an idea for ten more pops into my head. I never run out of upcoming projects."
Well's artwork is shown in various museums and galleries throughout the Southwest.
