Independent Spirits: Women Painters of the American West, 1890-1945

One of the few books on this specific subject, it is both enlightening and informative. A good read for those looking to get out of the narrow history of 20th century American artists that predominately covers men. Both inspiring and sad to see these great talents, most of them overlooked because of gender. A lesson and insight for historians and artists male and female alike. Recommended.

As someone who teaches the History of Women Artists on the college level, this book is a valuable addition to my library of books devoted to this topic. I was aware of some of the women featured in this book, but most of these individuals are absolutely new to me. There is no question that these professional women possessed the drive and the talent to establish interesting careers, and yet most of them fell into obscurity except perhaps on the regional level. The history of Modern American Art has generally been associated with the east coast but this book is a revelation and a very juicy one at that. So many different visions expressed with competence and flare. Anyone interested in the development of 20th century painting and unearthing the work of women artists who have been sidelined by time and male dominance, this book will provide some serious pleasure.

I have to admit, I always wondered why there aren't more women artists...well, there are many I never heard of, but should have. The artists presented here are truly deserving of notice and even fame in some cases. Very well-illustrated and well worth the price. Information not available in any other book that I know.

This book about women painters of American West from 1890 to 1945 shows and talks about art and paintings. Reading its words and seeing its paintings was an experience over which I may not get. From the moment I opened the book I entered a new world of color landscape shapes figures flowers abstractions and movement. How did so many creative and talented people escape historical recognition and fame? Many of the artists in this book had to wage war with themselves, family, society and some won - mostly those with financial means, time to themselves, art education, human support and they succeeded as free spirits in the world of art. Independent Spirits is a study of pioneers who expressed themselves using artists' tools. For most fame eluded them while they made history by painting, teaching, building of museums and art schools, encouragement of public interest in visual arts and redefinition of feminine art. Myra Miller of the Great Plains (1882 to 1961) painted game birds which she froze and painted in a cold room in the winter. She set up her own still lifes of birds and guns on panels and the paintings were 2' x4'. The subjects became the essential and yet ordinary stuff of life rendered so painstakingly as beautiful to behold, characteristic of her world and perhaps bounty for the family table. Why the West? Why did O'Keefe feel compelled as an artist to leave the city and apartment dwelling for the open space of the west? Independent Spirits tells of women set free to live creative lives determined to express record persevere and interpret what they saw - for themselves and for unknown and unseen viewers.