Robert "Shoofly" Shufelt

Using a graphite pencil, the most uncomplicated of mediums, New Mexico artist Robert "Shoofly" Shuflet has created a "scrapbook" of images that forms a lasting tribute to a vanishing way of life. Simply put, he tells the story of the American Cowboy, not in the bold panoramas of sprawling cattle drives nor in the wild frenzy of the rodeo ring, but rather by capturing moments of everyday life. Whether these vignettes portray a cowboy shoeing his horse while his companions supervise by offering well-meaning suggestions to hurry the task along, or the solitary obligation of a lone rider plunging through brushy back country in search of a rogue cow, Shufelt's skilled interplay of sunlight and shadow adds drama to even the most routine activities.

The empathy the artist feels for his subject becomes clear as he relates, "My cowboy friends work for low wages, doing joint-aching, heat sucking, dust-chewing labor-- all for the privilege of looking at the rear end of a cow, riding a good horse, and being solitary, independent and proud". (As an artist), "the "cowboy way" holds my admiration and nurtures my inspiration", he explains. "Ideas (for drawings) come easily because I love this way of life. In order to better understand what they do, I often ride alongside the regular hands, spending long days in the saddle, but my involvement working with them is never a chore."

Born in Champagne, Il and educated at Lake Forest College and the University of Illinois, Shufelt followed a diverse trail to his final career as a western artist. Even as a youngster, he loved to draw, so much so, that at age eleven, his parents encouraged him to take lessons at the prestigious Art Institute of Chicago. However, as was true with many a red blooded youth, by the time he reached high school, his focus was on football and art took a back seat. "Any drawing I did was merely to further my popularity, for I had no intention of being typecast as "arty"," he exclaims.

Football remained a priority in college, as athletic scholarships paved the way to a higher education. Following graduation and a stint in Korea, Shufelt returned to football, signing on as a free agent for the Chicago Cardinals. He left the team a short time later, however, noting that he "was probably brave enough, but in reality not fast enough to maintain a career in professional sports." A few years later, he also tried his hand at sports car racing until an accident convinced him there were better ways to make a living.

As fate would have it, the uncle of a former Cardinals teammate worked in a Chicago advertising agency, and the sketches Shufelt had made of players during his tenure with the team opened the door to a career in advertising. The young man slowly worked his way up in the industry eventually illustrating ads for such prestigious companies as International Harvester, Schlitz Beer, United Airlines and Ford Motor Company.

Although his star continued to rise in the advertising field, his feeling became very strong that something was missing. Shufelt explains, "I'd spent my life illuminating the thoughts of others, and I suddenly realized I was doomed to failure if I couldn't find out what was important to me as an individual. I have always love the western way of life", he relates, "but it was not until I began using cowboys as my subject matter, that I finally found out what I had to say through my art."

Like his cowboy counterparts, Shufelt is distinctly individualistic. This trait is brought home by his dedication to the medium of pencil. In the colorful world of fine art, pencil drawings are often considered only the basic step in producing the final product, but Shufelt's black and white images are his eminent creations. The artist notes that drawing is not only the bare bones of an artist's craft, but it is also physical evidence of his insight and perception. By taking away the element of color, an artist is forced to rely upon his skillful use of design, composition and lighting in order to tell his story. And Shufelt is the master in his own element.

When all is said and done, Shufelt relates that his greatest reward comes from the support of his collectors and most of all acceptance into the fraternity of the cowboys he draws. "These men are the keepers of the American spirit, and I feel a deep sense of responsibility and joy in drawing them and in preserving their place in history".