This dramatic painting is not at all imaginary, but springs directly from Arnold Fribergs nostalgic memories of his boyhood in the Arizona desert.With his own unique mastery, Friberg has captured the intimacy, the mysterious enchantment of campfire light, the very scent and mystical spell of evening in the Sonoran desert, and the sturdy camaraderie of the kind of men who slept mostly under the stars.
1994 Release. Sold Out. One of the most astonishing feats of the saloon series is Friberg's lively depiction of interior light. This requires quite different effects from those appearing in his outdoor scenes. Of course, Friberg is highly renowned for his horse depictions, indoors or out. This saloon scene is given added variety with its splendid billiard table, the appaloosa and that fine Mexican barb horse, with its rich charro saddle, bridle, and machete.
1996 Release. Life! Life in all its splendor, drama, and beauty. This image tells the story of the hopes and fears of real people, real struggles, with dignity and power. An image that touches the heart, as well as the eye.
1989 Release. Sold Out. The first issue in Mr. Friberg's legendary saloon series. The artist relentlessly researched the splendidly carved back bars, antique oil lamp fixtures, unusual walking canes, period clothing, wallpaper, bootles and carved pictures frames to give these three paintings vigorous authenticity. You can almost hear the macho sounds you would hear if you entered that frontier saloon.
1991 Release. Available from the publisher. This painting does not illustrate a particular event, but rather a parley as it might have occurred countless times. It is a meeting of foes in battle, but who respect each other as honorable fighting men. Notable are the strong, splendid horses.
Rich drama, brilliant color and historic detail combine in "Thunder Wagon" to capture a classic encounter between the funnel-stacked steam locomotive and the denizens of the West as only Arnold Friberg could.
1993 Release. Available from the publisher. Rolling west out of Lordsburg, New Mexico, the Butterfield stagecoaches soon raced through the most dangerous point in the road, Apache Pass in the southeast corner of Arizona Territory. For it was here that apache warriors fell upon many an ill-fated coach. In this strong picture, Friberg has caught the intense drama of such an attack and the driver's desperate struggle to survive.
"Uncertain Odds" illustrates the race of man against machine, side by side. Both image and title proclaim that technology was speeding down the track and it was uncertain how mankind would fare in the end. Only time would tell.
1993 Release. Sold Out. Commissions in 1977 by Steven A. Wynn, the owner of the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, this painting was created to depict an old-time western saloon as it might have looked in earlier days.
