Jeremy Booth: Capturing the Wild West
Artist,Jeremy Booth. Photo by Tabitha Booth
Kentucky-based artist Jeremy Booth boldly captures the essence of the Wild West with daring minimalism in his art. Focused primarily on iconic cowboys and Western landscapes, his work embodies the spirit of resilience and adventure inherent in the Wild West. His bold and minimal style captures the West in a cinematic, colorful, and surprising manner.
Through his modern portrayal of the West, Jeremy seeks to honor and celebrate the figures and lifestyles he paints. The cowboy lifestyle, with its honesty, hard work, and simplicity, resonates deeply with his audience, creating a strong connection through his work and his process.
Jeremy's journey began many years ago as a commercial artist with representation worldwide. He worked with esteemed clients like Apple, Warby Parker, MLB, and British GQ. A few years ago, he made a bold decision to shift his focus to fine art, a move that led him to the Western motif and a new chapter in his career.
His work has been featured and sold in Christie's esteemed auction house. Notable clients include Wrangler, Nike, Apple, Warby Parker, and British GQ.
When did you first begin your professional artistic journey?
In 2004, my journey began in high school, where I taught myself Adobe Photoshop. I pursued graphic design and, eventually, illustration for several years. Around 2012, I decided to focus solely on illustration and move away from the generalist designer's life. I embarked on a journey to discover my style and to stick to it. Six months later, with a new portfolio of illustration work, I became represented by agencies worldwide, including France, the United Kingdom, and North America. Most of my career's focus has been commercial illustration. Only two years ago, I decided to focus on fine art, specifically Western art. Shortly after, I started painting the West and still do it today.
What draws you to the "Wild West" and iconic cowboy as a subject matter of choice?
It all started with my love for the landscape and my time in California in my early twenties. I love the desert, the open terrain, and the dry air. My admiration for cowboys grew stronger as Westerns became popular again in our culture. Shows like Yellowstone and artists like Mark Maggiori heightened my interest in creating a Western body of work, which I initially thought would be limited. I fell in love with the genre and have never looked back. What truly cemented my desire to stay in this subject is the people within it. Every year since I started, my wife and I make our way out West to a ranch to photograph cowboys for reference material, and it's in those moments, I feel incredibly inspired. The Western community consists of strong, honest, and caring individuals, and I strive to honor them in my work.
Are there any modern or historical artists would you say have influenced your style?
My painting style derives from my commercial illustration days when I mainly worked as a digital artist. Folks like Tom Hauogmat and Malika Favre influenced me then. As I carry that same style into my Western art, I am influenced by Mark Maggiori, Ed Mell, and Billy Schenck. Ed and Billy are artists I discovered soon after I began this Western journey, and I saw that the way I illustrated had a place on canvas and in Western art.
What advice would you share with emerging artists starting out in the digital art space?
Whether you work in digital or traditional art, consistency and focus are crucial. Consistency over time has a compounding effect that is hard to ignore, so keep going! Being a specialist will always win – aim to be the person that comes to mind when people think about a certain topic or idea within your art.
Can you tell us a little bit about your studio space?
I used to have my own separate space for my work, but I found it to be very inefficient. So, I decided to move my studio to a room in my basement. It's convenient for me to access my studio whenever I want. I also enjoy being close to my family, as it allows my wife and two kids to easily stop by and say hello.
What characteristics about your artwork do you feel make it unique in its digital space?
My current work primarily involves creating acrylic paintings on canvas, even though I use digital tools in the initial stages. My artwork is unique because it combines authenticity and juxtaposition. By authenticity, I mean I feature real cowboys and individuals who genuinely work the land, embodying a deep sense of the West. By juxtaposition, I mean that Western art is very traditional in its look and tone, whereas my style is notably contemporary and minimal. I believe that this fusion results in a striking and beautiful blend.
