Dick Mueller, Pencil Artist
Dick Mueller is a pencil artist (graphite and colored pencil) with countless awards to his name who has been drawing as long as he can remember. He was recognized as early as first grade with his excellent renditions of fire trucks and barns. Growing up Iowa during the age of great radio programs, Mueller was captivated by the old western programs like Gunsmoke, Hopalong Cassidy, Roy Rogers and Death Valley Days. His love of the Old West came early and has stayed with him throughout his entire life.
While continually working to expand his skills and natural talent through his school years, Mueller also attended the Minneapolis College of Art & Design (formerly the Minneapolis School of Art) as an industrial design major. From there he was hired as a technical illustrator for the space program at McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis. While working as a commercial illustrator, Mueller also painted in his spare time, easily selling his work outside his “regular job.”
It was a client, more than 20 years ago, that suggested he try colored pencil to get the details he so carefully crafted into his paintings. He laughs at the uninformed who think pencil work is not in the same league with painting. Not only does colored pencil give him the ability to create near photographic representations in his work, he says; “Brushes dry out, but pencils don’t! There is much less mess and it’s so much easier to get the fine details I’m after.” These details help Mueller capture the feelings and emotions of his subjects, whether human or animal.
Work Samples
Western Life
Growing up Iowa during the age of great radio programs, Mueller was captivated by the old western programs like Gunsmoke, Hopalong Cassidy, Roy Rogers and Death Valley Days. His love of the Old West came early and has stayed with him throughout his entire life.
Hooves
“What do these animals have in common? – they all have hooves.“
Wildlife
“My studio is located on a hillside overlooking Grapevine Wash in quaint Cave Creek, Arizona. We are visited by abundant wild life: mule deer, the namesake coyotes, javelina, quail, bobcats, jack rabbits and numerous birds, rodents and reptiles.”
Landscapes
“In Arizona I never run out of things to draw – archaeological sites, National Monuments, rustic ranches, mountains, etc.”
Commissions
“I welcome commissions and have done them as large as 8’ x 4’ and as small as 6” x 4”. I also have a specialty called Portraits From The Past bringing old family portraits to life.”
Contact
Coyote Crossing Studio
38611 N. Grapevine Road
Cave Creek, Arizona, 85331
480-595-1106