|
Ernest Morris was born a third
generation California cattleman on both sides of his family
tree. He worked with older men on various ranches in the
Central Coast and learned the ways of the vaquero. From his
grandfather, the fine rawhider Jesse Wilkinson, his hands
were taught to make rawhide horse gear. He also learned to
twist horse hair into mecates (hair ropes).
Starting as a hobby, painting and
drawing became a full time occupation in 1964. Later he
added bronze work, sculpting, paper mache and wood carving
to his list of media which are collected internationally.
Ernest has pointed the way and kept a picture of the old
ways alive for the next generation to catch the vision. His
three books, El Vaquero, El Buckaroo and
Riata Men are collected by horsemen, historians and
art aficionados alike.
California Classics is pleased to
call Ernest and his lovely wife, Blanche, friends and
mentors. California Classics carries Ernest's books, posters
and cards. Periodically, we are able to offer a resale of
one of Ernest's originals. Stop in at California Classics,
you might be lucky enough to run into Ernest telling a story
to a group of young buckaroos.
|
|
California Cowboy Inventions is an
interesting combination of handy "cowboy"
inventions and ideas, horsemanship information, and
picture creation thoughts and techniques from
vaquero artist Ernie Morris. Like all of Ernie's
books, it includes numerous pen & ink drawings
of horses, cattle, and cowboys involved in several
types of cowboy action. This book is interesting
and informative for everyone from seasoned cowboys
to aspiring artists.
Approx. 8-1/2" x 11" softcover, 76 pages.
$35.00
|
|
El Vaquero is a wonderful way to learn
about the California vaquero. It includes many
detailed drawings and paintings that depict
vaqueros and buckaroos in many kinds of cowboy
action. There are many drawings of hackamores,
bosals, saddles, martingales, tapaderos,
headstalls, reins and romals, bits, spurs, riatas,
hobbles, mecates, and sequential drawings of
special techniques like handling reins and the
phases of headgear from hackamore to spade bit. El
Vaquero is of interest to anyone who enjoys the
tradition of California vaquero horsemanship. Ernie
says, "My aim is to make an attempt to preserve
some history of the old-time vaquero...."
Approx. 9" x 12" hardbound with attractive dust
jacket, 156 pages. Second Printing. $125.00
|
|
el Buckaroo immortalizes the California
vaquero and buckaroo life and their horse handling,
working cattle, and fancy roping as it existed at
the turn of the twentieth century. There are over
400 color and black-and-white illustrations and
historic photographs, which, together with many
personal interviews and biographies, bring to life
the remarkable ways of the buckaroo. There are
brief histories of many old-time and contemporary
top-hand buckaroos and many photographs of buckaroo
gear.
Approx. 9" x 12" hardbound with attractive dust
jacket, 236 pages.
Notice: The first
edition of el Buckaroo is sold out, and there are
no plans at this time regarding a second
printing.
|
|
Riata Men is a intimate look at the life
of the cowboy through the eyes of Ernie Morris. His
illustrations capture the daily life on the ranch,
often with a bit of humor. It contains numerous
feature drawings, each accompanied by a folklore
description, and several selections from Ernie's
personal sketch books.
Approx. 8-1/2" x 11" hardbound with attractive
dust jacket, 152 pages. $60.00
|
|
