Intrigued by all things Wyoming — its people, places and history — Casper illustrator Zachary Pullen has a knack for portraying the warmth and idiosyncrasies of America and the Cowboy State.
There’s a cheekiness to his work, he says, that comes from growing up on “Jaws,” “Caddyshack” and “Stand By Me.”
Though nationally renowned, Pullen describes himself as an average Wyoming working man who mostly lives on commissioned work, which he prefers to fulfill during the fall and winter months. That’s when he labors in his home studio for 17-hour stints that go well into the night.
“I work really late nights, from about October to May, and then I try to take the summers off and recharge for the next fall and winter,” Pullen told WyoFile.
Thus, the title of his latest exhibit, “Late Nights and Long Summers,” now showing at The Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper. Pullen packed The Nic with some 200 works, including originals from his book collaborations: “A Home for Steamboat,” “The Rowdy Randy Wild West Show,” “The Christmas Ass” and “Among Giants.”
The exhibit drew hundreds of people during NIC Fest earlier this month — an opportunity for Pullen to mix with exhibitgoers eager to learn about the people (golfers, former Wyoming governors) and places (Devils Tower, Independence Rock, Hole-in-the-Wall) portrayed in his work.
Pullen, a bit of a history buff and a full-blown cultural observer, was more than happy to oblige. “Everybody wants to know something about something, which is really cool.”
“Late Nights and Long Summers” shows through August.
