Native American Buckaroo Artist James Shoshone
- October 3, 2018
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- Tiffany Schwenke
Posted in: Featured, Ranch Life
The pretty horses and fancy loops sketched in pen and ink by Native American Buckaroo James Shoshone give a cowboy chills! James feels it in his soul. His soul speaks into the paper through his talented hands. The art on the paper speaks to the cowboy in your soul.
Truly living the life they portray is rare among artists . . . only a few in any era known to us. Russell and Remington rode through as the 1800’s waned; Will James and Ed Borien broke trail into the 1900’s, while Keith W. Avery, Bill Owen, Ernie Mooris and Phil Tognazzini helped lead the few who’ve followed their dust into another millennium. James Shoshone is one to add to this elite list of artists.
James Shoshone is one of today’s top torchbearers; but you sure can’t see him from the road. Somewhere remote he’s bein’ baked by sun – or strafed by wind-driven snow, hail, or sand – choking on the dust. He’s soaring on adrenaline, dreading the coming crash, suffering the pain. He’s experiencing every stroke his pen will ever make – to the fullest. That’s the only way the wild colorful life of today’s working West could be transferred to paper as livingly vibrant as James Shoshone accomplishes.
James Shoshone pulls inspiration for his art though daily ranch work on the IL Ranch near Owyhee, Nevada. This is an area known for top hand Buckaroos who are steeped in history and tradition and James is amongst the best of the best.
James has worked on many different ranches in the area such as the ZX, YP, the Spanish Ranch, Whitehorse, Diamond A, ID, 25, the Cross Ranch, and the 3 Dot Ranch.
James Shoshone follows the vaquero traditions and it shows in his lifestyle, the gear he uses, and his art.
Photo Credit – Mary Williams Hyde – Buckaroo Country Photography
James Shoshone was chosen to be featured in the Great Basin Buckaroos exhibition by Mary Williams Hyde.
The Native American bloodlines that pump through James Shoshone are of the Timbisha Shoshone tribe (father side) and Washo tribe (mother side). His connection to the land has been inherited and continues on through his work horseback and his artwork.
James is also known for having top of the line, vintage, hard to find, silver bits, rawhide gear, and other sought after cowboy gear. I have personally made trades with James Shoshone. He is good to trade with and you might be able to negotiate some of his artwork in a deal as well.
James Shoshone mentioned to me that he really enjoys the art made by Ernie Mooris. Like James, Ernie Morris was fortunate to live the life he portrayed in his art and has also written and illustrated five books about Vaquero horsemanship and livestock handling. Mooris’ artwork covers a vast array of subjects in a wide variety of mediums including pen & ink, pencil, charcoal, watercolor, oils, acrylic, bronze sculpting, woodcarving, rawhide braiding, and twisting horsehair mecates. I’m sure he and James would have fun trading gear as well!
James also admires the style of other Native American artists such as Blackbear Bosin [Comanche-Kiowa], Doc Tate Nevaqauah [Comanche], Archie Blackowl [Southern Cheyenne], Rance Hood [Comanche], and Dick West [Southern Cheyenne].
It is clear to see the love for the lifestyle, the land, and the legacy James Shoshone is expressing through his artwork.
Check out this video interview of James Shoshone-
If you would like to purchase artwork from James Shoshone, he will be set up in a booth at WSRRA Finals in Winnemucca, Nevada November 1st-4th or you can contact him through his Facebook page
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Posted in: Featured, Ranch Life
About Tiffany Schwenke
My family has been ranching and raising horses for over 100 years. We raise, train, and market AQHA horses at North Four Mile Creek Horse Ranch. We produce the annual event WYO WILD RIDE RANCH RODEO. I am a wife and a mother to 3 amazing...