Cowboy artist featured at Harrisburg library

HARRISBURG – Don't be fooled by the hat. While the man wearing it is a genuine cowboy, he's better known as an artist.

Dave Powell's art is a reflection of a lifetime as a Montana resident, a cowboy and an artist.

Powell, who is currently the featured artist at Harrisburg Memorial Library, said he comes from a family with a background in both art and life in the West.

Both of his parents also were artists, and in his teens, he also began to test his artistic ability. As a young man, he traveled to different parts of the West and Southwest to study under other established artists, he said.

"What I would do is work to save up some money, then travel to where that artist was and learn from them," he said. "Eventually, when I used up all my money, I'd go back home and start saving up again."

Over time, his experience with art and his knowledge of authentic cowboy ways led to work with film studios.

Powell worked as a technical consultant to ensure Western authenticity on such productions as the film, "The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams," "Silverado," "Far and Away," and the blockbuster television mini-series, "Lonesome Dove."

Most of Powell's works feature cowboys, Native Americans, and Western scenes.

"Some may be from a photo, some may be an image I've pictured in my mind and a lot are things I've seen, or a combination of all of the above," Powell said.

During the art gallery opening for Powell at the library, those who purchased his book of images asked for an autograph. 

Powell not only signed the books but sketched an image on a page as an added bonus.

"It's just a little something extra," he said of the on-the-spot sketches for gallery viewers.

Powell's works may be seen through May 9 at the library.