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Bill Worrell (American, XX-XXI). "Seasons of the Three Golden Moons" acrylic on canvas, 1995. Signature and dated "10/1/95 5:32 pm" at bottom center. Title and dimensions handwritten on verso. A stunning and quite sizeable painting by Bill Worrell, depicting seven shaman figures with an antlered deer heads indicative of their transformative states, all standing with outstretched arms beneath three golden moons and holding various symbolic accoutrements: Golden Rings of Forever symbolic of eternity, eagle feathers symbolic of power and prayer, sun shields, and tall magical staffs - one with a raven atop as the raven is the oldest living symbol of the human soul - all symbols that suggest a spirit journey or dream world. All is delineated with a keen eye for figure, form, and vibrant color - stunning shades of red, blue, gold, violet, sienna, black, and white - and suspended from a tree branch via animal hide cord. Size (painting): 65" L x 51.5" W (165.1 cm x 130.8 cm) Size (including tree branch): 67" L x 60" W (170.2 cm x 152.4 cm)

Bill Worrell first came to the idea of creating art inspired by prehistoric pictographs during a journey along the Pecos River that took a turn during a torrential rainstorm. As the muddy waters rose, he and his party sought refuge in the cave where they were stranded for 36 hours and fortuitously came across prehistoric pictographs dating to about 4000 BCE. According to an article published in Southwest Art, "In the years following his discovery, Worrell dedicated himself to documenting pictographs in paintings and on the surfaces of oxide-fired clay and sculpted rocks … until one day in 1984. While assisting a student sculptor in his capacity as associate professor of art at Houston Baptist University, Worrell inadvertently squeezed out his first wax shaman figure." (Southwest Art August 1990) The rest, as they say, is history.

Artist Statement about Shaman: "If we could amalgamate a priest, a lawyer, a chiropractor, a medical doctor, and a judge into a single entity, there would then exist an individual who could perform the tasks of an ancient shaman of the Lower Pecos. This person did not choose to be a shaman, he or she was chosen, appointed, or called to be a shaman, and he or she practically always denied, refuted, or resisted this calling until a severe illness, usually to the point of death, fell upon this individual. This is what made the person submit to the calling. Duties and gifts then included the healing of the sick, the arbitration of disputes, and the making of restitution with The Great Spirits for those things taken from nature that fed and clothed the people. The ancients believed that the shamans could transform themselves into different animals, thus the representations of those entering the dream world, or spirit journeys. These symbols have been inspired by the wonderful artwork of the ancient Lower Pecos People."

Artist Biography: "Bill Worrell's art career spans more than thirty years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology with a minor in English from Texas Tech University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in painting and drawing with a minor in sculpture from the University of North Texas.

During eighteen years of college and university teaching he held a doctoral fellowship at the University of North Texas, was Associate Professor of Art at Odessa College, and was Professor of Art at Houston Baptist University. He taught classes in sculpture, ceramics, art appreciation, jewelry, painting, and drawing.

At his home and studio on the banks of the Llano River in the Texas Hill Country, Worrell now enjoys a successful career as sculptor and painter. Executed in various sculptural, paint, and print media, his works are copyrighted interpretations of the ancient pictographs found in abundance along the confluence of the Lower Pecos River with the Middle Rio Grande, on what is now the border of Texas and Mexico.

Worrell's work can be found in fine art galleries and collections across the United States, as well as in private and corporate collections worldwide. He has been a featured artist in more than one hundred one-man shows and exhibitions and in numerous two-man and group exhibitions. His seventeen-foot, three-inch monumental bronze entitled 'The Maker of Peace', owned by the State of Texas, overlooks the ancient Fate Bell rock shelter at Seminole Canyon State Historical Park between Langtry and Comstock, Texas, west of Del Rio."

Bill Worrell made his Santa Fe art debut in 1986 at the C. G. Rein Gallery. In 1989, Worrell affiliated with the Frank Howell Gallery and the Contemporary Southwest Galleries, both owned by Frank Howell. After Howell's death in 1996, a new owner operated the gallery until his death in 2010. In 2011, Jay and Mary Adams acquired this space on the corner of Palace Avenue and Washington Street and opened it as the Worrell Gallery.

A warm and friendly outdoorsman with a flair for humor and satire, Worrell is energized by the elements in life that surround him. He maintains two studios, one in Santa Fe and one in Texas. His studio on the banks of the Llano River near Art, Texas in the Texas Hill Country is a synthesis of New Mexico and Texas inspired by his life-long passion for archeology. Worrell enjoys a successful career as sculptor, painter, writer, and songwriter. Executed in various sculptural, paint, and print media, his works are copyrighted interpretations of the ancient pictographs found in abundance along the Lower Pecos River and its confluence with the Rio Grande. Worrell is presently writing a book about his years of educational, business, emotional, and spiritual dealings in the fascinating world of fine art and is continuing such writings as appear in his books Voices From The Caves – The Shamans Speak and Journeys Through the Winds of Time." (Worrell Gallery Santa Fe website)

Please note that this item is heavy/oversized. Please inquire about shipping prior to bidding.

Provenance: private Boulder, Colorado, USA collection

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Signature and dated "10/1/95 5:32 pm" at bottom center. Title and dimensions handwritten on verso.