Virtual Art Tour

Bill Schenck, American, born 1947

King George

After spending two years studying at the Columbus College of Art and Design, Bill Schenck transferred to Kansas City Art Institute, where he earned his BFA in 1969. Upon graduating, Schenck moved to New York City, where he had his first one man show in 1970. That show sold out in hours and his work was sought after in Europe, where he had other one-man shows. But, when the recession hit in 1974, buyers went back to purchasing mainly tried and true "names" in art.

In 1975, Schenck headed west, where he took up rodeo and began to get to know the real west. He has said that his early inspiration came from Spaghetti Westerns, especially Sergio Leone's films. His move west provided him with new inspiration - "the contemporary west of Cadillac cowboys, rodeo queens, punk cowboys and the nouveau rich."

In 1977, Schenck held a one-man show at the Elaine Horwitch Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ, and his career was back on track. Today Schenck calls himself "a contemporary pop western painter," and admits to his love and attachment to the west. His trademark subject matter are cowgirls and Cadillacs, although he has also painted rodeo contestants, Indian sheepherders, western movie stills and landscapes, often using himself as a model for his work. Whatever his subject matter, Schenck's style of painting has remained consistent and is easily recognizable.