Kenneth Riley (1919-2015)


Chiricahua Warrior signed and inscribed 'Kenneth Riley ©' (lower right)oil on Masonite30 x 24in
|ProvenanceThe artist.Acquired by the late owner from the above, 1984.ExhibitedIndianapolis, Indiana, Eiteljorg Museum, West of Camelot: Paintings by Ken Riley, June-October 1993, pp. 180-81, illustrated.Kerrville, Texas, Cowboy Artists of American Museum, CA Retrospective: Mehl Lawson and Kenneth Riley, July 16-October 1, 1997.LiteratureS.H. McGarry, Honoring The Western Tradition: The L.D. "Brink" Brinkman Collection, Kerrville, Texas, 2003, p. 145, illustrated.In a letter to L.D. Brinkman, the artist discussed the present work and the influences that inspired its subject:"Having lived in southeast Arizona and the area of the Chiricahua mountains, the Apache band of that name was part of the colorful legend that permeated my imagination. I had the opportunity to visit with pioneer ranch families, whose history tells of contact with figures like 'Cochise' and 'Geronimo.' The Warrior painting was a desire to portray the early Apache in a simple monumental way, with color that captures the feel of the canyon country."11 Kenneth Riley, unpublished letter, 8 April 1990.