Gawne portrait wins prestigious C. M. Russell award

Citing his “excellence in technical merit and creativity,” officials of the annual C.M. Russell Art Auction awarded John Gawne their 2007 CEO Award for his compelling portrait of Lakota Chief David Bald Eagle. The artist was honored at a ceremony March 16 in Great Falls, Montana. Later that same night, Gawne’s prize-winning portrait fetched nearly twice the opening price-point at auction.

For more about the C. M. Russell Museum Art Auction and related events, March 14-18, 2007, please go to cmrauction.com. The Russell CEO Award is among the most coveted in the Western art genre. Gawne’s subject, David (Beautiful) Bald Eagle, is a decorated World War II veteran of the 82nd Airborne and the grandson of Chief White Bull – who fought with Sitting Bull at the Little Big Horn.

For more about Bald Eagle’s remarkable life and “work-in-progress” photos of Gawne’s portrait of this great man, click here.

February 10, 2007 American Miniatures Show, Settlers West Gallery
Tucson, AZ

February 24 - July 8, 2007 "Winners Round Up" Phippen Museum
Prescott, AZ

March 14-18, 2007 C M Russell Art Auction
Great Falls, MT

April 28, 2007 Scottsdale Artists School 13th Annual Beaux Arts
Scottsdale, AZ

August 24-25, 2007 "Gateway To The West" Auction
Bozeman, MT

May 11 - June 9, 2007 Sixteenth Annual National Juried Exhibition
Oil Painters of America, Whistle Pik Galleries
Fredericksburg, TX

May 12, 2007 Settlers West Summer Show
Tucson, AZ