Wild Horses 25" x 18" Oil on board Signed lower right Will James 21 Will James (1892-1942) James was that rare mix of cowboy, author and artist that helped perpetuate the myth as much as the man. Born Joseph Ernest Nepthali Dufault in Quebec Province, Canada, Will was not, as represented in his writings, born in a covered wagon and orphaned before he was five. He did, however, become a Montana cowboy, then managed to interest Harold Von Schmidt and Maynard Dixon in his cowboy drawings. With their financial assistance, he secured employment with Sunset Magazine. Writing and illustrating his own stories, Will published his first book in 1924, thanks, in large part to Scribner's editor, Max Perkins with -- 19 others to follow including Smoky and Lone Cowboy. His oil paintings are very rare and seldom surface on the market.