Idaho’s Most Famous Artist Worked Out Of A Janky Shack In Gooding

For an artist to create something spectacular, inspiration usually sparks the whole process. One man who is known as being the most famous of all Gem State virtuosos drew that inspiration from inside a ten-by-ten shack located just northwest of Twin Falls.

My father was an art teacher and writer of poetry. As an artist, he specialized in using canned paint and stencils. I know of at least one poem of his that got published in a magazine, so I do refer to my father as an artist, and sadly none of his skills wore off on me.

He lived from 1899 to 1977, and more than 50 of his creations have been featured in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, according to americanart.si.edu.

There are many different types of artists. There are painters, sculptors, graphic designers, and photographers, to name just a few. I dabbled in photography in my early days but chose to pursue careers in radio and events management. I hope one of my two kids picks up a hobby that qualifies as an art form someday, and if one of them manages to make a living from it, I would enthusiastically support it.

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Some Idahoans are familiar with the name James Castle. He lived from 1899 to 1977, and more than 50 of his creations have been featured in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, according to americanart.si.edu. Castle spent a great deal of his time creating his art from inside a small shack in Gooding, Idaho.

If you're ever wanting to tour some other famous spots that aren't too far a drive from the Magic Valley, remember that Ernest Hemingway wrote and lived just 70 miles north of Gooding in the Sun Valley area. His old home is still there and he's buried in the Ketchum Cemetery.