If two words could define the artist William Richard Doherty they would have to be prolific and versatile.  Although he’s known throughout Western Colorado as a muralist, illustrator, print maker, and the creator of pen and ink and colored pencil drawings, the majority of Doherty’s work can be found in his oils, watercolors, pastels, and miniatures.

Doherty’s subjects generally are concerned with a western way of life, wildlife, landscapes, historical places, and the changing times of the west.  He works in a realistic manner presenting his subjects as he sees them, relying on the inherent beauty and interest of his depictions to speak for themselves, without being romanticized or exaggerated.  It was his natural love of outdoor life, working cattle, hunting, camping, and the beauty of nature that ultimately became a major theme of his experience and expression.

A few of the special projects Doherty has accomplished includes designing the City of Delta’s 1976 Bicentennial Time Capsule monument:  designed the 1982 Delta commemorative coin; illustrated a book about Delta titled “The First 100 years.” written by D.V. Doherty: and also painted the city’s first mural in 1987.  “Delta County Ark.” a 16x70 foot depiction of local wildlife.  He did several additional murals throughout Delta County as well as a number of other Western Colorado cities and towns.  In addition, Doherty completed two books of drawings titled “Pen and Ink Thru fort Uncompahgre.” and “Pen and Ink Thru The San Miguel Basin.”  He also illustrated a book of western poetry in 1993, written by Gene Johenning of Garden City, NY.

Artist’s statement: “My work is concerned with what I know or have experienced.  As a young man I worked on several ranches as a cowhand, and to this day I am an avid outdoorsman.  This is why I choose to express myself with modern western and wildlife subjects.  The western theme of my work allows me to paint my varied interests:  people, animals, landscapes, still ifes, and ranch life in general.  Many of my paintings are concerned with the changing times and situations in the west today.  They are not meant to be judgmental or to influence, but are created to make the viewers aware.  Let them interpret the message as they wish.”