An exhibit of pencil drawings by Clay County artist Tommy Valentine opens with a 2 p.m. reception today at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts at 235 Commerce St. in downtown West Point.
“A Tribute to Unsung Heroes” captures the character of black cowboys, horses, old barns, homes and landscapes observed and imagined by Valentine.
“Drawing, for me, is something that I have done since childhood,” Valentine said. “As a child, my teachers in the Mt. Zion two-room school house always relied on me to draw illustrations and holiday decorations on the chalkboard. When it closed in the ’60s, I finished school at Beasley (now West Clay).”
Valentine remembers spreading out paper and pencils on the kitchen table. There he drew scenes he observed during his day. As a youngster he would see the farm workers, especially the wranglers and their work with the animals on horseback. Capturing these images became his passion. Working from memory and imagination, his drawings bring to life the world of hard work and camaraderie between man and animal.
Even before finishing school, Valentine was a valued farm hand, learning the “ropes” (pun intended) from his grandfather, Tom Valentine, and father, Vernon Valentine. Riding horses, working the cattle as a cowboy, learning the sky and weather signs, animal behavior and how to run a successful ranch and farm became Valentine’s calling.
He became fascinated with the idea of black cowboys and rodeo riders, researching and observing them in action whenever possible. Larry Moseley from Chickasaw County was the first black cowboy he saw riding bulls. Inspired by Moseley’s courage and skill, Valentine joined the rodeo circuit as a bull rider himself.
He cites black cowboy Joe Bell as the best roper/cowboy he ever encountered, and Glen Robinson as another cattleman he worked and learned from at the West Point Stockyards and Sale Barn. He also enjoyed his time with Prairie Livestock and the stockmen there.
Other opportunities arose. A very long and successful career at B&W provided a good living for Valentine and his family. But after his “day job” ended, he continued to farm, raise cattle and enjoy life from the back of a horse. Retiring after 30 years from B&W allowed Valentine to do what he really wanted: work with cattle.
Valentine speaks fondly of Dr. Gordon Hazard, for whom he worked many years. “Dr. Hazard was so knowledgeable about the animal health and well-being, feed crops and intricacies of rotating fields for grazing cattle. We handled about 1,900 head on a regular basis. Usually I rode a horse and he took his little truck, and together the two of us could round up the herd and get them moved without much fuss or bother. He was such fun to work with,” said Valentine.
Valentine and his wife, Patricia, still enjoy country life, living on the same land his grandfather worked. Valentine continues to pass along his knowledge, skill and love of the land and animals to his grandchildren and any others interested in seeing life from the back of a horse.
“My drawings have allowed me to capture the spirit of the ranchers, farm workers and especially the horses that I so love. I appreciate so much the opportunity to share my work with the public,” said Valentine.
Sponsored by the West Point/Clay County Arts Council, the exhibit will hang through Feb. 22. The Center for the Arts will be staffed on certain Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m. for visitors to see the show.
For more information or to schedule a tour of the exhibit, contact Kathy Dyess, 662-494-5678.
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