Artwork copyright Shirley Cleary. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1985.

Lonely House Series #1, 1983

Shirley Cleary
American (born 1942)

Location: Harriet Thompson Elementary, Grandview

About the Artwork

Lonely House Series #1 is the first in a group of paintings by artist Shirley Cleary. These paintings are of old abandoned cabins. She notes, "They are called 'lonely houses' because they stand alone, uncared for and ignored in the landscape. This particular cabin is on the road between Townsend and White Sulphur Springs in Montana. An old swayback horse was shading himself by the side of the cabin, seemingly also forgotten and lonely in the sagebrush filled field." She created the composition based on a series of photos and sketches made on location.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Grandview School District.

About the Artist

Montana-based artist Shirley Cleary creates paintings that celebrate the landscape of the American West. Many of her works depict fishing and other outdoor activities. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. She received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Tyler School of Art at Temple University in Philadelphia. She has lived in Montana since 1971.