Painting the Soul of the American West

"He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hand and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands, head, and heart is an artist." St. Francis of Assisi This quote is a favorite of artist Andrew Roda, a Western realist oil painter who says, "With my hands, my head, and my heart, I am devoted to creating art that shares my love of the American West."

 Andrew grew up in a ranching family in Florida. One of his earliest memories is his grandfather gifting him a Brahman cattle skull when he was five. From that point on, the lifestyle and equipment of the American ranching and cowboy lifestyle have been Andrew's focus and passion. Andrew's evolution as a Western realist painter comes through a combination of his heritage and a deep appreciation for the objects of classic Americana and their stories. Andrew's unique talent lies in his ability to see everyday objects, such as a saddle, a rifle, a pair of boots, or a hand-forged grill of a 1950s Ford truck, as artwork in and of themselves. His skill in decoding an object's story by reading the lines, tears, scuffs, and general condition of his subject is unparalleled. Andrew captures the worn and quiet beauty on his canvases through attention to detail, scale of work, and rendering of the soul of his subjects, leaving the audience intrigued by his perspective.

An example of Andrew's ability to work from the head, hand, and heart comes in a story he shared at a recent presentation at Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West. "I came across an image while exploring the nitrate negatives archive at The Lunder Research Center. I was enamored with the man and the boy staring off together into the distance. The boots and truck tell a story of exploration and adventure. Where had those boots traveled? What memories and trinkets lay inside the truck from a life lived?" From these observations, questions, musings, and historical references to literature and the history of the place, Andrew created a painting he calls Oh The Places You’ll Go, after Dr. Seuss’s book of the same title.

While fine art is Andrews's way of contributing to the collective zeitgeist of Western culture, he says, "My appetite for its history touches all creative mediums. From the narrative fictions of Cormac McCarthy or Larry McMurtry, the histories characterized by Allan Eckert or James Michener, to the silver screen of the Coen Brothers or Michael Mann." He says, "I moved to Los Angeles in 2008 to immerse myself in and contribute to all facets of the creative bastion. Through the years, my creative voice has strengthened through my artwork."

As a painter who works in realism to pay homage to the iconic cowboy life, Andrew Roda presents his work as a portrait composition with layers of story, intense detail, and a gift for revealing the fingerprints of our humanity and history in the American West. He's gained a reputation for his bold colors, high-contrast settings, and use of light shadow and contrast, creating intense depth of field in his work. His subjects indeed appear to come to life.

Western artist Andrew Roda works from his studio in Los Angeles, California, a space filled with the artifacts and memories of his travels across the country in search of the choice remnants of America's ranching and cowboy history. When he isn't in his studio, Andrew can be found exploring the vast landscapes and rich history of the American West, seeking inspiration for his next masterpiece. His work is represented by King Gallery in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona, and Sage Creek Gallery in Santa Fe. After all, the West is where legends are born, dreams come true, and the creative spirit is set free.

Email: andrew@rodastudios.com

Website: www.rodastudios.com