A Poetic Spirit: The Enduring Art of Kenneth Riley by Susan Hallsten McGarry

Celebrate the luminous artistry of Kenneth Riley in A Poetic Spirit: The Enduring Art of Kenneth Riley, a finely crafted retrospective catalog published by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Written by Susan Hallsten McGarry, this volume gathers Riley’s most evocative works — breathtaking paintings that chronicle the meeting of cultures, the depths of the natural world, and the heartbeats of history. 

Inside, you’ll discover:

• Over 50 color illustrations highlighting Riley’s most powerful pieces, including works that portray the material culture, beliefs, and daily lives of Native tribes such as the Apache, Mandan, and Plains nations. 

• Insightful commentary that traces Riley’s evolution as an artist: from his years as an illustrator during World War II (with work appearing in Life, National Geographic, The Saturday Evening Post) to his mature years absorbing the landscapes and spirit of the American West. 

• A thoughtful reflection on his artistic method: how Riley blends rigorous historical research (journals, explorers’ records, visual archives) with color, light, design, and poetic composition to bring to life not just scenes—but myth, memory, and meaning. 

• Works that dwell in the era of first contact — between Native Americans and explorers, pioneers, the U.S. Cavalry — granting viewers a window into cultural intersection, beauty, conflict, resilience, and the natural world. 

This catalog is more than an art book. It is a journey through time and culture, a meditation on the land and its peoples, and a testament to a painter whose vision is both historical and deeply emotional. A treasured addition for collectors of Western art, lovers of Native history, and anyone moved by color, story, and spirit.