Stories Behind The Art

This summer we have been thrilled to host many visitors – family, locals, friends, fellow artists – from far and near. Inevitably out time spent together involves Jay’s stories from his childhood, the ranch, art festivals, beloved dogs, and life’s experiences of all sorts.   He never runs out of stories and fortunately our lives keep providing the opportunity to enjoy new adventures, sightings of unexpected wildlife, and a wide range of people from many walks of life that end up being incorporated into Sullivan lore.   This sharing of somewhat tall tales (well most of it true) is a family tradition in Meeker passed [...]

The snow is deep. It is a hard time of year to make a living. It is cold. [...]

Few times have I been paid a greater compliment. [...]

The buffalo is returning from as few as 35 animals in the southern herd to over 200,000 today. Today's story is not one of how we lost the bison, but how we have worked together to renew the herds. United in good purpose, we will save all living things and ourselves. I draw animals because they are a symbol of what we want to be. They are a totem, a symbol, individually and collectively of good things. [...]

So, not only must a pencil artist master various erasing devices and their ability to enhance one's art, one must learn to blow away the bad stuff. Jay says, “the sign of a professional pencil artist is one who can blow off the erasures without leaving a mark!” [...]

It’s fair to say that what I love to draw most is whatever subject is in my head at the time I’m ready to start a new drawing. Perhaps I just saw a beautiful Red Tailed Hawk who caught my eye. Or I have in mind an especially unique elk sighting from a recent hike. At any given time, 4-5 potential subjects are vying to become the next piece of art.   But when it comes to drawing other people’s requests or providing a gift, I always enjoy drawing dogs.  Of course, it is best when I’ve met these dogs and can get [...]

We had all become acculturated to the fact that if you really wanted to see the best of the Grand Tetons, you had to be in the back country and off the roads. We were all eager to go where the going got tough and the tough got going. [...]

Black Magic has always been one of the favorite ranch horses and one of my favorites to draw. This poem tells the story of my first meeting with Black. [...]

One of the most common comments coming my way at art fairs is, "Wow! You are a gifted artists!" Few people explain what they mean by that phrase.  So, I naturally have pondered their meaning.  What does it mean to be a gifted artist?  Inevitably the answers come as questions:       -Do you mean that you see the countless hours invested in each drawing?       -Does the art speak to you telling the story of its existance?       -Do you see the quality within each line, the power of the composition, or the emotion of the moment?   Sometimes the answer comes as a statement:       -This [...]

We were passing Sleepy Cat when I saw a big Golden Eagle dining on a dead doe at the Road Kill Café. [...]

An artist's poem of reflections [...]

Some things trigger memories. Memories of places that echo time spent there. I was pacing the bison herd on the eastern fringes of the Tetons National Park last summer. This bull was seemingly having a bad day. He was snorting and pawing the ground, just kicking up the dust. The little bison calf just didn’t care. He walked within a few feet of the bull nonchalantly pausing to scratch his ear. The bull's hooves clattered against the rocks as he made the river crossing. Just before he crossed the river he stopped to take a drink. As soon as he took a couple of big gulps of water his [...]

The challenge with small is that everything has to be better. [...]

What it comes down to is a question of value. [...]

I wonder what this weasel thought of me! [...]

This drawing will keep my memories warm in winter. [...]

I couldn't wait to get back to my studio and do some drawings of osprey in flight. It was awesome watching them soar! [...]

Have you ever seen an eagle drawing? I have. [...]

I honor the following musicians with a combination of my drawing and a short bio of their musical expertise. [...]

When he was done, he turned to my sister and said, “This one is Tungundai. It means Guardian of Night Wind. When she grows up she will have a colt. She will save this colt from mortal danger. [...]

Pencil artist, J. B. Sullivan shares his adventures in the Grand Tetons that inspired his drawing, "Scratch." [...]