Maynard Dixon
Maynard Dixon was a celebrated American artist best known for his powerful depictions of the American West. Often called "The Last Cowboy in San Francisco," Dixon painted people, landscapes, and the Southwest's spirit during rapid change.
At the beginning, Dixon was under the influence of Impressionism. But later he developed a more modern, stripped-down aesthetic. His signature look—low horizons, sweeping skies, bold color, and strong design—became synonymous with his vision of the West.
Dixon’s personal life also shaped his work. He married photographer Dorothea Lange in 1920, and their shared concern for social justice found expression during the Great Depression, with Lange photographing migrant workers and Dixon painting scenes of labor unrest and displacement. After their divorce in 1935, Dixon married muralist Edith Hamlin and moved to southern Utah, where he produced some of his most iconic landscapes. They built a home and studio in Mount Carmel, where Dixon felt deeply connected to the land.
P.S. If, like us, you sometimes enjoy having your head in the clouds, check out these clouds in art! They are captivating!