Episode 103: Billy Schenck

In this episode, we sit down with legendary Western Pop artist Billy Schenck to explore the stories, inspirations, and cinematic constructs behind his latest body of work. Known as one of the most influential painters of the Southwest, Schenck shares how he layers photography, memory, and imagination to create dynamic compositions that blur the line between realism and myth.

From rodeo cowboys suspended mid-air to Navajo jewelers, Pueblo women with pottery, and sweeping Monument Valley horizons, Billy reveals how he constructs scenes using multiple photographic negatives, prehistoric pottery motifs, and a cinematic approach to light and shadow. His paintings capture the drama of Canyonlands, Cedar Mesa, and the San Juan River—infused with both historical reverence and contemporary vision.

Hear about Schenck’s deep fascination with prehistoric Southwest pottery, his process of integrating cottonwood trees and mesas into iconic Western landscapes, and his perspective as a former rodeo champion and cultural historian. The episode highlights signature works like "Shortcut" and portraits inspired by friends, neighbors, and fellow artists, while unpacking the balance of design, narrative, and authenticity in his art.

Whether you are an art collector, student of Southwestern history, or admirer of Western iconography, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into the mind of “the most interesting man in the West.”

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and why Billy Schenck is a Blue Rain favorite
01:15 Constructing a painting: Navajo jeweler, horses, and Shortcut
02:40 Rodeo cowboys, Canyonlands, and dramatic light
03:20 Navajo rodeo culture and influences
04:11 Pueblo women, pottery, and prehistoric inspirations
05:25 Monument Valley, cottonwoods, and layered landscapes
06:12 Collage process: combining negatives into paintings
07:38 Prehistoric pottery motifs and cultural crossover
08:03 Memories from Wyoming and Navajo horse scenes
09:11 Portraits: Gina, beauty, and cultural storytelling
10:10 Rodeo authenticity and horse culture
10:52 Monument Valley landscapes from personal trips
11:38 Inspiration from fieldwork, palettes, and process
12:58 Cinematic style: silhouettes, Dickson reference, and cowboy scenes
14:34 Closing reflections and how to see more of Billy’s work

Explore Billy Schenck at Blue Rain Gallery: https://blueraingallery.com/ar...

This episode was hosted by gallery owner and founder Leroy Garcia, produced and edited by Leah Garcia, with original music by Mozart Gabriel Abeyta.

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