Welcome to the Art Section of the
Ben Johnson Fan Page
Portrayals of Ben in paint and sculpture
A painting of Ben by George Francuch, dated January 1978. This painting is a family heirloom and the photo was contributed by Carmon Merriman Briggs, who is married to Ben's grandnephew. Thank you, Carmon!
A painting and a pencil portrait of Ben by artist Jerry Harris. These are really gorgeous. Jerry is an artist based out of Louisiana and you can find more of his wonderful work on his Facebook page HERE. (Artwork reproduced here with Jerry Harris' permission.)
Framed print of a portrait of Ben, "A Tribute to a Living Legend," and a sculpture, "Ben and Blackie A Pair of Aces," with Ben portrayed riding Blackie, his favorite horse in films and TV shows from the mid-'60s to the early '70s, by the late Jimmy Don Cox. '70s. The sculpture was commissioned to be auctioned off for charity. Cox, who lived in San Angelo, Texas, was a painter, sculptor, singer/musician and actor. He both painted and sculpted portraits of Ben, and was a long-time participant in Ben's pro-celebrity rodeos.
Portrait of Ben Johnson by western artist William T. Zivic. This is a print (no. 8 from a series of 20) originally purchased directly from Mr. Zivic and sold on ebay in December 2012 by the purchaser to me. Mr. Zivic is now retired but he still has a website HERE where you read his biography and see some of his other work.
Drawings by the late John Hagner. John Hagner was an artist, musician and actor. He founded the Hollywood Stuntmen Hall of Fame, located in Moab, Utah, a favorite site for filming westerns, including Wagon Master.
"Ben Johnson," by Mehl Lawson. This sculpture is on display in the American Rodeo Gallery at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The sculpture was unveiled in October, 1998 during the first presentation of the annual Ben Johnson Memorial Award. This photo was taken in the American Rodeo Gallery by Cowgirl of the McCain Ranch, a discussion board for Chuck Connors fans, and sent in for posting here. Thank you, Cowgirl!
Pardners Ben Johnson and Joe Crow, from a bronze sculpture from the Legends of Rodeo Collection, by sculptor Edd Hayes. From an article in the March 1993 issue of Museum and Arts magazine, a Houston Arts Journal: "Pardners, Hayes' sculpture of Ben Johnson and Joe Crow roping a steer, their horses running flat out, brought $65,000 at the annual Cystic Fibrosis Foundation auction when Red Adair, who is famous in Texas for extinguishing oil well fires, and Eddie Gaylord of Opryland got in a bidding war. Every year since 1984, Hayes has donated a bronze sculpture to the auction, which is part of the Ben Johnson Pro-Celebrity Team Roping and Cutting Horse Event. Past celebrities who have attended include Patrick Duffey, June Lockhart, Wilfred Brimley, Denver Pile and many others. Ben Johnson is the rodeo cowboy and actor who won an Oscar for his performance in Last Picture Show. Joe Crow, who died last year, was Ben's best friend and partner-in-life. 'Joe told me that this sculpture was his Academy Award,' Hayes said."
"Country Gentleman," a painting in pastels by artist Ron Baker, based on a photo of Ben in the obscure 1995 film Outlaws: The Legend of O.B Taggart. 20" x 16" limited edition prints are available. (I bought this print and it is beautiful!) Inquiries to Mr. Baker at ronbaker@cowboy.com, phone: 505-466-6205, address: 15 Glorieta Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505.
"The Night Stage," a portrait of Slim Pickens and Ben, by artist John Howard Sanden, in honor of the two actors' 1992 induction into the National Cowboy and Western Heritage's Hall of Great Western Performers. The painting was unveiled at the museum at the 1993 induction ceremonies by Ben and Slim Pickens' daughter Daryle Ann Lindley. An 18" x 20" print is available for purchase at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Store. Mr. Sanden, one of the world's most distinguished portrait painters, has also painted James Arness for the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. (A larger reproduction is viewable online at http://www.johnhowardsanden.com/portraits-archive.asp#professions.)
Two sculptures, "Son," and "Ben Johnson," by the late John D. Free, a native of Osage County, Oklahoma, who lived and worked in Ben's home town of Pawhuska. A monumental sculpture of Ben, based on Free's work, is currently underway.
"Ben Johnson," a pen and ink drawing by C. Ray Clark. Ben autographed the original work.
