DENNY KARCHNER WESTERN ART Kid Rio

This portrait of Jim Dunham, Director of Special Projects of the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville , GA , is the third in my S.A.S.S. series in oils. He refers to himself as “Kid Rio,” the name on his S.A.S.S. badge. Jim is one of the oldest members and one of the first to join S.A.S.S. some twenty years ago. For those of you who haven't seen the last two paintings of the S.A.S.S. members, the “Single Actions Shooting Society” is an international organization created to preserve and promote the sport of Cowboy Action Shooting. S.A.S.S. members share a common interest in preserving the history of the Old West and competitive shooting.

I had the privilege of meeting Jim at the museum when Leigh and I went there October, 2005 when I delivered the two pieces of art the museum requested for placement in their permanent collection at the Booth. There is something quite special about Jim. He is also and artist. He, along with another guy at the museum who reads stories of the old west, portrays the famous western artist, “Charles Russell.” While the reading is going on, Jim draws really great rough sketches that Charles Russell was so famous for.