Shelbie Harris
Staff Writer
The Eli M. Oboler Library s hosting an exhibit showing the art of Roy Reynolds, an Idaho Falls artist with over 50 years of experience in painting and sculpting.
Reynolds began his painting career at a very early age, thanks to the instructors he had throughout high school and college.
He left Idaho Falls to study art at the University of Idaho and then at the Art Center School in Los Angeles.
After completing school, Reynolds returned to Idaho, where he spent 20 years as a ranch hand taking care of over 400 cattle on a daily basis.
“I didn’t have much free time as a ranch hand,” said Reynolds. “Any moment of free time I had was spent painting.”
The cowboy lifestyle is portrayed in many of his paintings.
After living the life of a cowboy, Reynolds served as the art director for singer and songwriter Carole King.
“I art-directed some videos. I designed album covers, mainly [I was] just there for advice,” said Reynolds.
Reynolds spent the next 25 years as an illustrator and graphic designer for the Idaho National Laboratory.
It was during this time the Yellowstone National Park Service and the State of Montana included his watercolors in their “Bison Impact Statement.”
The publication won first place in the Puget Sound Competition.
Reynolds’ illustrations won best of show.
Eventually Reynolds retired, found a studio and began to paint and sculpt full time.
In 2000 he was commissioned to create a sculpture for the Idaho Falls Greenbelt.
“The Fur Trader” is one of Reynolds’ favorite works of art.
The bronze sculpture depicting one of the men who aided the Lewis and Clark expedition, “stands over 12 feet tall,” said Reynolds.
In addition to the sculpture on the Greenbelt, many of Reynolds’ sculptures are on permanent display at the downtown Bank of Idaho in Idaho Falls.
Reynolds has had the opportunity to showcase his art all over the country, including California and Colorado. He hasn’t had much exposure here in Pocatello, however.
When asked what the exhibit here at ISU meant to him, Reynolds responded, “[Pocatello] is an area where I haven’t shown much. Years ago, I had a show at the Student Union Building, back in the ‘70s I think it was. I haven’t really shown much at the university but I am glad to do it. [It gives me a] new audience.”
Much of Reynolds artwork depicts images of rural landscapes, flora, and the people of eastern Idaho.
His themes range from local architecture to citizens on the street, from farm land to flower gardens, from nudes to American Indian festival dancers – all of which he said are tributes toward his community’s magnificence, charm, distinctiveness, and sense of place.
Reynolds’ artwork can be viewed during the library’s regular business hours through the end of April.
