Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M 27 "While in Jr. high, instead of doing my homework, I would spend time reading firsthand accounts and diaries by Kit Carson, the Bent brothers, Jim Bridger, among others. I would pretend to see the tipi camps of the Southern Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Arapahoe that would come to trade at the fort. us the foundation for my love the old west was established. By con- tinually studying and researching pre-1900 western events, I for- mulate paintings that not only tell stories, but capture the essence of historical personalities. A technically well executed piece that tells a story and is historically ac- curate is my goal for each painting. Crandall has been an avid re-enactor in Cav- alry re-rides, mountain man rendezvous, cowboy round-up events and more, all in accurate period clothing plus the appropriate horse gear and firearms. He por- trayed General George A. Custer during the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1976. "I consider it my obligation that if I'm going to do a painting of a cowboy, cavalryman or mountain man, I must experience their lifestyle," states Jerry, "which all helps in portraying the look and feel—the reality—of my paintings." "B ORN IN LA JUNTA, COLORADO, NEAR HISTORIC BENT'S FORT AND WITH MY FATHER'S LOVE OF THE OLD WEST, it was natural for me to fall in love with history. On weekends when I was young, our family would explore the historical sites around Colorado including the vacant field that was once Bent's fort. ere I would crawl around on my hands and knees looking for any type of artifact. One day I was rewarded when, by examining an ant hill I found several seed beads that had been brought to the surface by the ants. ose early beads became a treasured part of my collection. Bear country 30" X 40" A six-up team stagecoach from the Overland Stage Lines is startled by a grizzly bear while crossing a cold stream. The wheel horse is the only part of the team who sees the bear in this frozen instant in time, traveling the old West. grandfather's shield 30' X 40" An adorable young Native American boy watches and listens intently as his grandfather paints his shield and tells stories. A puppy also sits and listens to the grandfather.

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