A Remarkable Artist
Don Crowley, respected painter and member of the Tucson 7, passes away at 92.
Painter Don Crowley, known for his realistic depictions of Native Americans and his involvement in the art scene in Arizona, died on March 21. He was 92 years old. His death was preceded by the passing of his wife, Betty Jane, who many called B.J., just five days before.
Crowley was admired throughout Western art for his tight detail, beautiful color and the proud depictions of his Native subjects. While a number of his works featured historical subjects, he also painted contemporary Native Americans and how they interacted with the modern world.
“Don Crowley and I were great friends for over 50 years. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was always fun to be around. He was a remarkable artist and loved to put patterns and fine details in his paintings. Many people may not realize that his finished pencil drawings were masterful,” says painter Howard Terpning. “He
and his wife, B.J., made such a great couple. They just seemed to complement each other. For Marlies and I, life is just not the same without B.J. and Don. They are so sadly missed by us both.”
Born in California in 1926, Crowley discovered art early and as a young man became friends with watercolorist Mervin Corning, who would join Crowley on painting trips. After spending four years in the U.S. Navy and Merchant Marines, Crowley started school at Artcenter College of Design in Los Angeles. It’s there he met his wife. Later the Crowleys headed east, where the painter spent 20 years as an illustrator in New York. After he saw a successful Wyoming gallery show for friend James Bama, Crowley left illustration and moved West.
In 1974 he moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he met Terpning, Harley Brown, Tom Hill, Bob Kuhn, Kenneth Riley and Duane Bryers. The artists, and their wives, became close friends and regular guests in each other’s studios. Later they were dubbed the Tucson 7. There were also many art awards, and in 1994 Crowley joined the Cowboy Artists of America.
“Don and B.J. Crowley became friends from the very moment we met. We stayed close from the start and now they will remain in our hearts. Like family, we were together often and in so many ways. We traveled together, took exotic trips to strange lands, evenings at the local cafe. And yes, many, many art shows for nearly half a century,” Brown says. “Don’s art was quite realistic; I loved getting up close to see the quiet passion he would put into every stroke. The Natives he painted were right there in front of us. You could feel them alive with thoughts and hopes and plans; as if they were about to move and talk. This is rare but Don made it happen. Everything was authentic right down to the leathers, beads, feathers, traditional patterns. When we look at a large complicated Don Crowley work, we wonder, how is this possible? Well, Don made it very possible and never let up year after year.”
He adds: “Don’s wondrous and positive world spread to all. When we were at an art show and they were handing out awards, no one cheered more for the artists than Don. He invited other artists to join him in major art organizations and exhibits. Being with him gave us all a very positive feeling toward not just art but living each day.”