For this year’s auction, I wanted to paint the Madison Valley in a historic context; one of a pioneer wagon train arriving in 1860, its occupants having faced much hardship yet filled with hope. The backdrop is the breathtaking Montana landscape and its expansive skies, which insinuates to the newcomers opportunities that would ultimately convince them to stay and build their lives. Remarkably, the view from the original Bozeman Trail has remained unchanged for over a century and a half.
It’s titled 25 Miles to Virginia City.
Available August 2, at Sacred Pine Ranch, McAllister, Montana
madisonranchlands.org/noxious-weed-fundraiser
Hi Everyone - I’m Todd Connor
Welcome to my all consuming dream.
The timeless icons
of the American West are my muse
and history is my compass.
2024 was a pivotal year for me. I participated in my first Cowboy Artists of America show, and was honored to receive the Ray Swanson Memorial Award for my heartfelt painting, Bearers of the Legacy. The award recognizes “a work of art that best communicates a moment in time and captures the emotion of that moment.” It was presented by Ray’s daughter, Pam Swanson and my cowboy hero, the one and only Red Steagle. A moment I won’t forget.
The Cowboy Artists of America mission is -
“To authentically preserve and perpetuate the culture of Western life in fine art”.
My paintings tell the history of how we got here.
Women were the biggest part of our success.
In fact, without them I don’t think the men could have done it.
In-Focus:
The Artist - Todd Connor
Montana In Focus: The artist tells the story of Montana painter Todd Connor, a former Navy Seal who's work is inspired by the landscapes of the West, early explorers like Lewis and Clark and the hardscrabble pioneer women of the past. Watch him discuss his artistic influences and explain why, "Just a pretty picture is not good enough. There needs to be something deeper than that."
