What brought Hollywood to Monument Valley

Monument Valley, a year devoid of rain in 1934, was followed by another in 1936, this in the midst of the Great Depression that dropped the prices of lamb and wool through the basement.

In desperation, Harry and his wife “Mike” got in their car in the summer of 1938 and drove to Hollywood. On the backseat was a binder of 8-by-10 photographs of Monument Valley taken by their friend, professional photographer Josef Muench.

John Ford

Harry schemed to find the office of noted director John Ford, show him the pictures, and talk him into filming his next Western in Monument Valley.

As the story goes, Harry walked into the United Artists studios with the photos and his bedroll. When the receptionist, appropriately appalled, told him he certainly could not see Mr. Ford without an appointment, Harry said, fine, he’d wait and rolled out the bedroll.

Stagecoach

Security was summoned, but before they arrived, the location manager for Ford’s new movie “Stagecoach” happened to walk through the office.

Harry Goulding

“Where exactly is this?” he asked, noticing the photos Harry had propped up on the couch, and the next thing Harry Goulding knew, he was making his pitch to Mr. Ford.

Within weeks, the entire cast and crew of “Stagecoach,” more than 100 people, found themselves living in a tent city outside the Gouldings’ front door. John Wayne, the film’s star, slept in a tent. Ford stayed in the Gouldings’ spare room.

Hundreds of Navajos were recruited as extras, getting $5 a day (and $8 on horseback). The resident medicine man, who proved uncanny at forecasting the weather, was hired as the weatherman.

Released to wide acclaim in 1939, “Stagecoach” made B-list actor John Wayne a significant star. But another star was born: Monument Valley.

Tackling 10′ of canvas for Monument Valley

When I first moved to Sedona, I had this 10’ wall art canvas painting with another image of Monument Valley. However, I wouldn’t say I liked it, so I painted over it, creating this new contemporary southwest landscape painting of Monument Valley. Because I had already painted this image, I was torn as to what to paint?  Should I do a Sedona Landscape Painting or another Monument Valley? Living here in Sedona, I thought if I did a Sedona landscape, I could reproduce some Sedona Art Prints.  However, I decided on creating a completely different Monument Valley, using oil and acrylics. Because of the size of this painting, it took me six months to complete. I had to build an easel large enough to hold this huge canvas, painting in my garage because my studio wasn’t big enough. I created this southwest landscape using a pallet knife with gel medium and topped it off with oil. This large wall art is 10’ wide and 36” high.

When you go to Monument Valley

When you go, do a tour with Navajo Spirit tours, you’ll be glad you did. In addition to this, I’ve hiked this magical land, only to be moved by its beauty. Director John Ford used this location for a number of his best-known films with John Wayne, and thus, in the words of critic Keith Phipps, “its five square miles have defined what decades of moviegoers think of when they imagine the American West.” This original 36” x 120” x1.5” canvas is available. Of course, art prints are available, as canvas prints & paper prints.

Wall Art related to New Mexico

Taos Vigas   Pueblo Mission   Drums & Moccasins   San Miguel Mission   Sandoval Snow     Navajo Palapa

Santa Clara  Sunbird    Navajo Palapa   San Ysidro    Transient Sky  Taos Pueblo 

1001 Nights

Discover Sedona Landscape Paintings

While I love painting southwest landscapes, my current love uses acrylics, heavy body, and liquid acrylics. Creating Sedona landscape paintings in my vivid, mystical landscape style of art is my current direction.