Brent Cotton

Raised on his family’s cattle ranch in Idaho, Brent’s first lessons in art were taught by his grandmother, a  talented watercolorist.  He grew up sketching the cowboys and horses he observed every day. After several years of carving and sculpting, Brent decided to concentrate on painting. He was part of a select group of artists to study with world-renowned western artist Howard Terpning at the Cowboy Artists of American workshop in 1997.   He gives Oklahoma artist Christine Verner the most credit for putting him on the path he’s on now. She expanded his vision and under her direction his work turned from highly detailed to a more painterly and looser approach. Today he prefers to paint in the Tonalist/Luminist style made popular in the late 1800’s, seeking to create works that are mood-evoking and have a timeless quality.  He loves to strap on his hiking boots, grab his portable easel, and wander off in search of a moody scene to capture on canvas. Brent’s work has garnered several national awards including the prestigious “Arts for the Parks top 100” in both 1997 and in 2003, where his painting “Evensong” won both the “People’s Choice” and “Region 3” awards.  Brent was also the very first recipient of the “CM Russell Museum CEO Award” at the annual CM Russell Art Auction in Montana. He was recently invited to participate in the prestigious “Prix de West” Invitational show in Oklahoma City, a lifelong goal for him.  He is represented by several galleries throughout the country, with work in many private and corporate collections abroad.  Some of his notable collectors include; Oprah Winfrey, Tom Brokaw, and Brent Musberger. His work has been the subject of several feature articles in major art and western lifestyle magazines. He and his wife Jennifer and their two small children live in the beautiful Bitterroot valley of Montana, where the rural lifestyle and wild rivers provide constant inspiration.

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