Dave Stirling
In Estes Park
1887 or 1889 (accounts differ) - 1971
"Well,
when the old gent with the scythe and whiskers catches up with this guy,
he will be puffing and blowing and will say "Gosh almighty boy, you sure
led me a merry chase."
—Dave Stirling 1968
“Let
whoever wants to be the world's greatest painter; I want to be its
favorite painter.” Dave aims to paint for the people for whom Robert Burns
wrote poetry, for whom Henry Ford makes cars, to whom Bing Crosby sings.
—Grace Pagano, Fine Arts Director of Encyclopedia Britannica
The Studio at "Bugscuffle Ranch" 1955
—Photo courtesy Bill Christy
—Photo courtesy Greig Steiner
Portrait of Dave Art is Long and Time is Fleeting
By Dave's Associate Artist Greig Steiner
Greig is shown below outside the Stirling Studio with one of Dave's pallettes ca 1964, and painting Dave's portrait
—Photos courtesy Greig Steiner
Dave & son Jack Stirling
Jack Stirling always said he'd die "with his boots on". A diabetic,
he collapsed and died on the dance floor of the Riverside Ballroom in
Estes Park.
—Photo courtesy Dave Schutz
Listed Davenports, Dawdy's, Mallett's, Who's Who
Dave Stirling came from Corydon Iowa to Estes Park in 1915, and painted in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park for over 50 years. He had a studio and home, which he called the Bugscuffle Ranch, just inside the Park on the Horseshoe Park side.
Dave loved to spin tales and charm his potential patrons at many of the grand old lodges in Rocky Mountain National Park. He spent a great deal of time in the bars and nightclubs of the grand old hotels in the park, where he would hold court evenings (sometimes from the piano), and provide "local color" for the tourists. Many of these folks would stop by his studio the next day to buy some of that local color.
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6Items For Sale6(all measurements are less frame)
I APOLOGIZE THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE STIRLING CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR SALE. CHECK BACK REGULARLY AS NEW ITEMS MAY BECOME AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME.
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OldEstes Collection
(Not for Sale)
Additional Articles and Photos
Dave
Stirling—Painter of the Highlands Text
Title Drawing by Jack
Stirling (Dave's Son)
Photo of
Dave at the Canvas
He Sits in Iowa Painting Rockies
Dave
with associate Greig
Steiner on his 50th Jubilee as an Artist -
1965
An Insiders View of the Celebration
Bugscuffle Ranch Season 1968 Article by Dave himself - 1968
Death Takes Youngest of the Old Masters Obituary by John Simoni Professor of Art - Wichita State UniversityInteresting Footnote:
In the June 8, 1949 issue of the Estes Park Trail, there was reference to Dave as "Peyote Pete". Whether this was a typo, or something more interesting is lost to the ages. Greig Steiner, Dave's associate did not recall any reference Dave made to himself in this way. He only remembered "Pye Eyed Pete", which Dave used in his books, The Dude Dictionary and Rocky Mountainia
For more from artists in this area, see our friends at Dicken's Alley