Seasoned Artist

My biography and original oil painting of a stagecoach with accompanying cavalry from Fort Robinson (near Crawford,  Nebraska) was published in a  large volume listing many contemporary artists,  entitled Contemporary Western Artists by Harold Samuels in 1987. Another book called Palette Pleasers  has  many of my original drawings.  It is

My biography and original oil painting of a stagecoach with accompanying cavalry from Fort Robinson (near Crawford,  Nebraska) was published in a  large volume listing many contemporary artists,  entitled Contemporary Western Artists by Harold Samuels in 1987. Another book called Palette Pleasers  has  many of my original drawings.  It is especially unique as it has many recipes of noted individuals as Iron Eyes Cody, Ronald Reagan, Gene Autry, and artists R. Brownell McGrew, Burt Procter Reynold Brown, and Bettina Steinke. Some of my original drawings have also been published in another book entitled, “Preserving the Western Spirit”  by Dr.  Nicholas C. Polos printed in 1990.

I take pride in the special commissions I was able to complete, including two 8 x 10 foot oil paintings.  One painting depicted the Butterfield Stage coming through San Bernardino, and the other 8 foot by 10 foot oil painting was my rendering of a Frontier Family with their family traveling in a covered wagon  in the Chino Hills.   Both p

I take pride in the special commissions I was able to complete, including two 8 x 10 foot oil paintings.  One painting depicted the Butterfield Stage coming through San Bernardino, and the other 8 foot by 10 foot oil painting was my rendering of a Frontier Family with their family traveling in a covered wagon  in the Chino Hills.   Both paintings hang in the rotunda of the San Bernardino County Government Building. For over 40 years I was among the artists who exhibited their art at the Festival of Art in San Dimas.  Three different paintings  were commissioned by  the Festival  and they include a watercolor painting of the Wells Fargo Stage and a portrait painted in oil of the recognized historian Frederick Renner.  I especially enjoyed meeting Mr. Renner and his wife, Ginger Renner.  In April 2016, I was commissioned to paint the portrait of Martin Grelle for the San Dimas Festival.  He is a well established Western Artist who we have known for many years.   All three special commissions are now in the  permanent Art Collection at the San Dimas City Civic Center. 

In the Fall of 2023, the American Plains Artists selected my conte drawing called, Getting Ready to Dance for their Publisher's Award.  It was the third Publisher's Award and so it was an amazing honor.  In the summer, the Laguna Plein Air Artists selected my 6 x 9 oil painting of one of our favorite spots, "Time in Rockport" for third pl

In the Fall of 2023, the American Plains Artists selected my conte drawing called, Getting Ready to Dance for their Publisher's Award.  It was the third Publisher's Award and so it was an amazing honor.  In the summer, the Laguna Plein Air Artists selected my 6 x 9 oil painting of one of our favorite spots, "Time in Rockport" for third place. That same year In April 2023 my  small 7 x 5 oil painting  of a Zuni Indian girl entitled, "Little Winner" was awarded the $1,000 Best of Show at the American Plains Signature Artists Exhibit in Nebraska!  I am celebrating my continued entry in special editions of the Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award and “Who’s Who in American Art”.  The American Plains Artists have also awarded two Publishers Awards, one for a full page write up in  the Art of the West Magazine in 2022, and the other in the Western Art Collector Magazine in 2019.  Receiving over 40 Gold and Silver Medals from shows in Texas and California encouraged me to continue to paint scenes of our American West.  2012 was an amazing year having received the Best of Show from the American Plains Artists. an Animal Award from the Oil Painters of America, First Place in Watercolor from the American Cowboy Show in Arizona, and Best of Show Plein Air from the San Dimas Festival of Art.   The American Indian and Cowboy Artists Exhibition at the Autry Museum was a special moment when I received two Gold Medals for my large watercolor painting and a conte drawing  back in 1996.  I  want to acknowledge my long-time supporters who have followed me throughout the years and those of you who are new and interested in becoming a Cliff Barnes Art Collector. Please text or call me at (760) 228 1184 or email me at paintamerica@sbcglobal.net  and we will send you more information about our events.