E. Denney NeVille

Denney NeVille returned to his native town of Byron, Wyoming to establish his studio after living in Europe and California.

His art career was launched in a quirky way. In high school, he was punished for a misdeed by being sent to art class, where he learned to paint and draw enough to arouse his curiosity. His mother and the art teacher organized a portfolio of his work, which they submitted to the Los Angeles Art Center College of Design. Accepted, NeVille graduated with honors and then spent two years in France as a Morman missionary. There he immersed himself in the work of Impressionists and Old Masters.

Upon his return, he worked for several years in California as an illustrator for Hughes Aircraft, doing everything from birthday cards to missiles blowing up tanks. After that job ended, he worked in Red Lodge, Montana, for Stan Lynde on nationally syndicated cartoon strips, "Rick O'Shay" and "Hipshot." Subsequently, he returned to Wyoming.

In 1982, he earned Best of Show at the C.M. Russell Art Show in Great Falls, Montana, and the Artist's Choice Award for his painting in the 1997 Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale. He was featured in Art of the West in Sept/Oct 2000.