**Originally Listed At $600**

Bonnie Halsey-Dutton (American, Contemporary). "Coming of the Iron Horse" watercolor and gouache on paper, 2009. Signed and dated on lower right. Signature, title, and date on verso as well. A powerful painting by Bonnie Halsey-Dutton that features Native Americans on horseback hunting bison as they approach a railroad track. In the artist's words, "The seemingly endless supply of bison supported the Plains Indians for centuries. It took but a decade of massive hunting by the whites for their hides, bones and for sport to nearly annihilate them. To subdue Indian insurrection and to feed the workers building the cross-continental railroad, the bison were hunted to hear extinction." All is delineated in Halsey-Dutton's expressive manner and uniquely floated upon a backdrop that the artist faux-painted to resemble animal hide in a deep acrylic shadowbox frame. Size (painting): 11" L x 30" W (27.9 cm x 76.2 cm) Size (shadowbox): 15.4" L x 34.5" W x 2.7" D (39.1 cm x 87.6 cm x 6.9 cm)

Interestingly, Bonnie Halsey-Dutton has used shadowbox framing to underscore the cultural importance of the theme and suggest a treasured museum artifact. This piece is painted on heavy-weight archival watercolor paper, and the manner of paint application was intended to convey age and weathering. In addition, the paper's deckled edge further imbues the piece with a sense of history.

Halsey-Dutton has provided the following description for this piece, "Progress comes at a cost. The seemingly endless supply of bison supported the Plains Indians for centuries. It took but a decade of massive hunting by the whites for their hides, bones and for sport to nearly annihilate them. To subdue Indian insurrection and to feed the workers building the cross-continental railroad, the bison were hunted to hear extinction.

Trains were referred to as Iron Horse. Their continuous rail connection to the two coasts, the advent of the telegraph for rapid communication, and of course, the discovery of GOLD, led to the end to an era."

About the artist: Bonnie Halsey-Dutton was born and raised in South Dakota and is inspired by the local cultures where she resides as well as their history. She is both a professional visual artist and a fine arts educator, holding a PhD in Art History and Education from the University of Arizona. Bonnie Halsey-Dutton exhibits her artwork both nationally and internationally, and also teaches art education workshops at home and abroad.

Provenance: private Spearfish, South Dakota, USA collection

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#181230

Overall excellent and demonstrates impressive artistry and technique. Signed and dated at bottom right (on the railroad track). Signature, title, and date on verso as well. The artist has floated this painting in a deep clear acrylic shadowbox frame. The paper is mounted upon archival black foam core that has been permanently attached to a faux-painted heavy Masonite backing. Fit with suspension wire and ready to display. Halsey-Dutton's informative description and COA is attached to the verso of this piece.