John French (Texas, b. 1936), "Cross While You Can", 2011, oil on masonite

sight: 14 x 22 in., frame: 22 x 29.5 in.

Provenance: Property from the ranch home of a prominent businessman in Mineral Wells, Texas

Fascinated by the lives of the rustic, weather-beaten cowboys and Navajo Indians, John French learned about their native lands, traditional ways of life, and their animals. French taught himself painting, first with colored chalk, then water colors, oils, and acrylics. After serving in the Air Force for four years, stationed in Laredo, Texas, French and his family returned to Waco in 1958, where he worked as an auto mechanic, painting in his spare time. He was featured in the gallery section of the Western Horseman magazine. French was one of thirty-five western artists chosen nationwide to participate at the Pendleton Round-Up Art Show in Oregon.