Dustin Payne – Brinton 101

Dustin Payne was born into a ranching family in southern New Mexico in 1981.  Growing up as a third-generation sculptor in his family, he began learning the trade at an early age. Endless inspiration came out of studying the great works of Remington and Russell, and he was influenced by the books and drawings of Will James.

Being close to his family’s ranch, as a young man he experienced first-hand the traditions of the Western way of life.  Here Dustin came to know the skills of roping, riding, and working with cattle.  The strength and character of the old cowboys and ranchers created inspiration for him to carry on the spirit, respect, and tradition of their way of life. Dustin began expressing his deep love for the history and culture of the American West through his own artwork.  He later headed north and settled in Wyoming, enjoying the open vastness of the Northern mountains, visiting the nearby Buffalo Bill Center of the West for inspiration, and fulfilling his ambition with memorable stories of the western characters in his sculptures.

Dustin’s work can be found in fine art galleries across the country, as well as in the permanent collections of the Pearce Museum, the Raymond James Financial Art Collection, and the Former Texas Rangers Heritage Center.

In 2017, he earned an invitation to be inducted into the renowned Cowboy Artists of America and is planning to pay tribute to the time-honored organization’s values, moving forward in his career as one of their newest members.

“The History of the American West has always been fascinating to me. From the early settlers who shaped the West, to the Native American Culture that spanned across the country; the historical journals, stories, photographs, and events, are what inspire me to sculpt. To start with a simple block of clay and finish with a sculpture in bronze, depicting a historical scene, frozen in time, is the basis for my approach. The real inspiration comes into play when creating the features in the art that evoke a feeling of wonder and curiosity. Each piece should capture the emotion and meaning that the viewer can relate to through their own stories of the past of a love of American History and Western Art that they share with the artist. I believe this exciting and beautiful era should be preserved for future generations and I am honored to capture it in bronze sculpture. I hope my admiration of western art and historical culture comes out in every piece that I create.” Dustin Payne