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Maynard Dixon Art and Spirit
Maynard Dixon Art and Spirit  

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This film profiles the life and art of Maynard Dixon (1875-1946). One of America's leading illustrators at the turn of the century, Dixon evolved into a master painter of fine art canvases. Dixon's work is collected by many celebrities who appreciate his unique style and bold compositions.

The film is narrated by collector Diane Keaton, the voice of Maynard Dixon is read by actor/balladeer, Don Edwards and the original music is written and performed by John McEuen, founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

Interviews with Dixon's sons, Daniel and John, his granddaughter and members of the art community broaden the understanding of Maynard Dixon, the man. He was a complex and unique individual, talented as a poet and wordsmith, in addition to his remarkable ability to express himself with pencil, pen and paint.

Maynard Dixon was married three times. His second wife was famed photographer, Dorothea Lange. During their marriage, they witnessed the Great Depression together, which they both expressed through their art. The film contains rare audio of Lange, and contains many family photographs of their life together, shared with the filmmaker, Jayne McKay, by the Dixon family.

Maynard Dixon's studio was located on Montgomery Street in San Francisco's bohemian heyday. He held court there, but would often leave for months of solitary searching in the remotest reaches of the West. He would camp with the Indians, bunk with the cowboys and sketch and paint all that he observed.

Dixon's third wife was San Francisco artist, Edith Hamlin. Together they built homes in Arizona and Utah, and painted the American West together, leaving a lasting record of the vast skies and inspiring landscapes.

Photographer Ansel Adams was a close friend of Maynard Dixon, and several of his beautiful portraits are in the film. Of Dixon, Adams said, "There wasn't anything about Dixon that didn't legitimately belong in the West."

Dixon's art continues to inspire and excite artists and fans world-wide. Bill Cone, Disney/Pixar production designer on the film, "Cars" said, "Great American artists like Maynard Dixon had a big influence on us with his landscapes of the southwest, paticularly in the clouds that he painted. Dixon had a wonderfully reductive way of organizing the world of the Southwest. He often painted towards the sun, so there is a powerful brightness in some of his work. Even though he stylized the world, he got a true sense of the weather and the lighting of the place."

The film recently won the coveted Spur award from the Western Writers of America, named Best Documentary, and the Artistic Excellence award by the Paso Robles Digital Film Festival.

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Release Date: 2008

Film Director(s): Jayne McKay.

Film Type: Feature Length Film

Production Company: Burbank


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