Oleg Stavrowsky (American, 1927-2020)There Were Two of ThemSigned 'Oleg Stavrowsky' bottom right; also titled, signed and copyrighted verso, acrylic on canvas36 x 58 in. (91.4 x 147.3cm)PROVENANCE:The E.M. Russell Museum, sale of March 22, 2014, lot 155.Acquired directly from the above sale to benefit the Museum.Private Collection, Colorado.NOTE:The son of Russian immigrants, Oleg Stavrowsky was born in Harlem, New York in 1927. First involved in the military, he began his career as a commercial artist, working as a newspaper fashion illustrator in the Midwest, before discovering Western Art after a visit to the National Cowboy and Western heritage Museum in Oklahoma, which propelled him to embrace a full-time independent artistic career. “Western painting is my life, my income, my joy, my everything,” the artist said of his oeuvre. Stavrowsky lived and worked near Austin, Texas until his recent passing at age 93 in May 2020. The present work as well as the following (Lot 36) are quintessential paintings by the artist. Both are captured in a loose, yet realistic manner, which depicts a glorified vision of the American West, capitalizing on feelings of vitality and adventure.