The Spirit of the American West

Meet the artist

Alan Kruse

A lifelong student of nature, Alan has spent many hours in the field, from central Kansas to the Rocky Mountains of the West. His love of the outdoors compels him to focus on wildlife, landscapes, and Native American art. Growing up in the open country of northwestern Kansas, in the small town of Bird City (Cheyenne County), Alan developed a keen interest in and knowledge of the region's wildlife and landscape. Capturing his environment in paint is, he admits, "a natural pursuit for somebody who just loves nature."

Throughout his early childhood, Alan spent many weekends fishing with his late father, George, in Nebraska, where he developed an early appreciation for nature and the outdoors. In kindergarten, Alan began drawing on scrap cardboard. In early high school, his mother, Velma, arranged for him to take a formal oil painting class with Taos artist Darrell (Skip) Elliott. After many years of painting in both oils and acrylics, Alan now works exclusively in oils.

Alan has attended classes taught by these well-known national and international artists:

• Jim Wilcox, including his Master's Class — Jackson, Wyoming
• John Seerey-Lester and the late Paco Young — Beartooth School of Art, Montana
• David Wade — Jackson, Wyoming
• Scott Christenson — Victor, Idaho

A highlight of 2012 for Alan and Debbie was a personal visit with Howard Terpning. Alan grew up in northwestern Kansas, very close to the setting of Howard's famous painting, "Digging In At Sappa Creek." They shared memories of this historic area and many interesting Native American stories. It was a day that Alan and Debbie will cherish for many years to come.

For Alan, the creative process begins with extensive field experience. His unique understanding and vision are drawn from countless hours spent studying, observing, sketching, and photographing the great outdoors and nature. Alan notes, "The more I learn about painting, nature, and Native Americans, the more I find there is to learn."

Alan thanks his parents for their early influence and for introducing him to the great outdoors; his father-in-law, Curt Huitt, for his tireless hours spent on productive field trips together; and, most of all, his wife, Debbie, for her endless support.

Alan Kruse's art has received a great deal of recognition. His work has been displayed in galleries in Arizona, New Mexico, South Dakota, Montana, Kansas, and Colorado. He has won the People's Choice award multiple times at the Kansas State Fair, and his paintings now hang in private and corporate collections around the world. Alan is also honored to have had his paintings selected for The Russell benefit auctions in 2011 and 2013 in Great Falls, Montana.

The journey continues for Alan as he explores the wilds of nature and learns about the lives of Native Americans, capturing their grandeur in paint for all to share.

Enjoy the journey!

Alan Kruse
Hutchinson, Kansas
alan@alankruse.com