In 1985 Diana Blair published a collection of Doug’s line illustrations for a calendar titled “The Singing Cowboys of the Silver Screen.” The calendar features 12 illustrations by Doug accompanied by photographs of screen cowboys, singers and musicians.
Doug’s line art is illustrated in a sketchy line which adds to a dynamic, kinetic effect in the best examples of his work.
The Virginian Weblog 
It would be nice for your readers, if you could pick the picture that’s drawn for the September issue of that calendar – then follow through each month that you post about Doug or the Virginian, so we’d all end up seeing all 12 months of illustrations done by Doug.
Hard to believe it’s a calendar that’s almost a quarter of a century old, isn’t it……….
I’m 15 years older than you (according to your bio’ on your web-site); for me, it was the Lone Ranger that I loved; Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Lash LaRue, that I followed.
Of course I didn’t even have a television until I was 12 years old, so most of my westerns were in comic books and listening to the radio.
I’m still not a television fan; if I do watch it, it’s the cooking shows – PBS; grabbing some weather report or news, and watching those good old TBS classic movies from the past.
I really like this picture of Doug McClure too.
I also liked BIG COUNTRY and LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE – I’m not a huge western fan; just like the horses and the scenery for the most part. Diane
Just checked out your Virginian-Irish web-site; very nicely done! That music is invigorating………..
On that show, Lee J. Cobb was probably my favorite – then again, he was such an all-around actor, and reminded me of my grandpa with his strong good looks.
I’m not responsible for that site Diane. My Irish friends have to be thanked for their excellent site.
Whoops – didn’t see anyplace to add a comment, so I’ll have to go back for another visit.
I’ll pass on your kind comments, Diane, I’ve already mentioned your posts here to two new members who are big fans of Doug. If you could show the rest of the calendar pages, that would be great. I think it was Gene Autry’s photo on the one you sent me, Paul, but I’m not sure. Talking of singing cowboys, have you heard Doug’s records, Diane? They did something strange with his voice , but they kinda grow on you the more you listen to them. LOL!
In The Virginian, he did his best singing in the bath!
I’ve never heard Doug’s recorded singing, but the night we all went to dinner at the local Italian restaurant in Lagung Beach, we all did do some singing (and not for our supper either).
Since the music I played for Doug’s exhibit wasn’t the kind you sing to, I can only say that he did wander over now and again and did some humming.
Actually the group the went to dinner were all pretty talented and very happy with a successful showing, so there was a lot of laughing and singing going on – I’m guessing Doug’s range was baritone (I also used to sing and play piano professionally in my early years, so I’m pretty able to pick out the range of a singing voice).
I tried to find music by Doug on the I-net; had no luck, so wonder how one goes about getting anything he’s recorded.
I didn’t watch THE VIRGINIAN; did Doug sing in any of those episodes????
I watched Gene Autry and Roy Rogers primarily so I could check out their horses; see the scenery and location of the episodes, and hear them sing.
I’ve been to Roy Rogers and Dale Evans’ ranch and the museum they have set up for them – it’s not particularly ‘scenic’ where they have it erected, but it’s right off the main highway between where I live, and San Bernardino – in Apple Valley, California (which is near Barstow and Victorville).
Now maybe both of you (Nic and Paul) will get out your sketching pads, and do a quick drawing of those ‘singing cowboys and cowgirls’ – that would make a nice collection.
I miss those older westerns; seems to me when Clint Eastwood started doing the ‘Dirty Harry’ movies, that the movies and television shows actually went to the ‘reality’ of just how hard it was in the west – rough and rowdy. While I do like the reality of it all, it was fun when we only had to see the ‘happy times’ without so much violence and shooting.
I also like it when Robert Duvall plays a ‘cow-boy’ in the movies; he’s excellent.
I’m a lover of Bonanza – Loren Greene was my favorite on that show; Pernell Roberts was my second favorite.
I got a chance to meet Dan Haggerty back in 1977; it was a company dinner and a promotional affair at the same time. Now that’s a ‘big guy’ – loved his show, but mostly because of the scenery and that gorgeous bracelet he always wore. The night I met him, he had on a silver bracelet that had huge chunks of turquoise in it – now that’s another guy the two of you could sketch. He’s the kind of guy that would look good in colors that included his tanned skin (pretty hairy guy, in fact); a bracelet with that turquoise in, and an open shirt…..
I always remember him as the ‘grizzly bear’ who was truly a huge teddy bear…………..
There, guess those are my favorites (or most of them) – kind of tells you how old I am, when I’m ‘out of the current loop’ and still hanging on to those old classics.
As I said, I’m a Lash LaRue fan – I should do a little more research on him; always will love the Lone Ranger and Tonto – who doesn’t…………….
Diane – the old lady……(smile).
I have a tape of Doug singing Diane. He sounds like a chipmunk. LOL They’ve speeded up his voice. I was very disappointed.
Hi, Diane and Paul,
Yes, Doug does sing in at least two episodes of The Virginian, in a tin bath in the Shiloh bunkhouse in “It Tolls For Thee” and a much posher Albuquerque hotel room bath in “A Slight Case of Charity”. In the second ep he sings for quite a while, a song called “Gamblin’ Man” and when I recorded the two songs you sent to the Irish Forum, Paul, onto a casssette, I added “Gamblin’ Man” to give an idea of what his singing voice really sounded like. The two songs that Paul sent to the forum, Diane were, “Sand in My Pocket”, a ballad about lost love, and “Hula Bula Man”, which Barbara Townsend described as a “Hippy Song” and which Doug had a hand in the writing of. It sounds like it and he really enjoys himself on that one.
I, too, was disapointed at first, Paul, but the more I listen to them, the more I like them and try to imagine how much better they would be if they hav’nt messed with his voice. I think someone with the expertise could undo that so we could hear him sing with his normal voice, at a slower speed. Links to the songs (and the two versions of The Virginian theme song, “Lonesome Tree”, sung by Gary Clarke and Randy Boone and “Take a Look Around” aka Trampas’ Theme from the Men from Shiloh) can be found under “Audio Files” on The Irish Virginian Forum. (You would be most welcome to join us there, Diane, we would love to have a member who knew Doug)
There are several songs I would have liked to hear Doug sing, I think he would have done a nice version of “Lonesome Tree” and “Take a Look Around”, he sang “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” on Merv Griffin once, that would suit him, and Johnny Cash’s “A Thing Called Love” and Dean Martin’s “Gentle On My Mind” are ones Doug could have recorded. If he had done songs people knew and with his normal voice, who knows……he might have had a whole new career!
Don’t worry about your favourite actors/movies giving away your age, Diane, we have worked out that to remember The Virginian, even the final seasons, you would have to be 45 plus, and most fans are aged between that age and 60 plus.
I think Paul would agree with you about the way Clint Eastwood changed the face of westerns, although he did keep the genre going after John Wayne passed on.
I meant to sign that last post “Nic, the old man” LOL!
Hi Nic aka Jed: I took you up on the invitation; you should have an e-mail from me on the Irish web-site that I linked up to from Paul’s web-site, here.
I listened to the singing; made my comments on that site, but I do agree that first of all it’s a ‘sing-song’ kind of melody; no real way to measure a person’s singing abilities. What I liked was the happy way he sang; the spirit and delight – so much like him.
I think he tries to sing it in a key that’s too high for him; however, since I met Doug in later years, it’s quite possible his voice had dropped a bit.
As a singer, I started out as a mezzo-soprano; now I’m a strong alto because my voice has lowered these past 10 years or so.
Doug as born the same year as my current husband (I say current, because Paul knows I’m on #6, and I have to qualify it). I met my current husband back in 1986; it’s amazing how his voice has changed for these 23 years – again, ‘lowered’.
I’m trying to imagine how Doug would have looked today; a bit more gray in his pretty hair – some lines; still tanned, and probably keeping ‘fit’ because after his experience with his alcohol problems and prescription drug problems, he told me he’d made a real commitment never to ‘go back to those days again’.
Off topic: I was doing some research on Dan Haggerty because I met him in 1977 – now there was a ‘hunk’ of a guy, and I loved his television series (Grizzly Adams). I was truly saddened to see that his wife had been killed in a motorcycle accident; she suffered the same type of brain trauma that I did in 2002, and I was ‘saved’ by the doctors. Sadly, they weren’t able to bring her back, and I’m sure Dan misses her since this happened in August of last year (2008).
I think Dan’s another potential ‘face’ that both of you could draw brilliantly; he has so much character in his face.
When I met him, he had the same type of jovial; happy and ‘free spirit’ quality to him that Doug did – at least Dan is still enjoying his life, and I was glad to find that out.
I know Dan doesn’t fit into the ‘western cowboy’ theme, but he sure was the ‘man of the mountain’ – the ‘hail and hardy woodsman’ – the kind of ‘character’ he played, is one I thoroughly enjoyed (and of course, the bear).
I collect bears; in fact my photograph on Facebook has one of the bears that I made years ago. I wrote some short stories under one of my bear’s name. I did a lot of charity in my bear’s name, and have saved the letters; news articles, etc., from those efforts. I liked ‘hiding behind my bear’……..
So, have either of you done any sketchings of animals; wild-life – without humans in them????
I just LOVE the one that Paul did of Buffalo Bill; it is remarkable – it is powerful – it is serene – it is dynamic – it is full of so much life – brilliant!
With that, I’ll leave this message and join my son; his family and my husband for lunch since we’re in Palm Desert, CA for another 8 days.
My regards, ‘oldladyplayspiano’ – my moniker on the Irish forum. Diane
Hi, Diane,
I’m delighted to hear you have joined the Irish Forum, it will be great to have someone who was a friend of Doug’s and had such great memories of him to share. I like your username,”oldladyplayspiano”, it reminds me of Karen’s on The Virginian Authorised Group, pianokeysrosie, which comes from the fact her cat walks across the piano keys!
When I went to art classes 40 years ago, I did a painting of a Great Crested Grebe, which I dug out recently and think is the best thing I did back then and I plan to do more bird paintings, as I love photographing and filming swans, herons, cormorants, mallards etc.on a river just across the road from my house. I have started a painting of a heron and might enter it in a competiton in which I won a runners-up prize last year for a photo of a Whooper swan that wintered here. I also love cars and I am going to do some paintings of them, such as a Carrera Panamericana roadrace (that ran through Mexico) picture of a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing and a Lincoln sedan. I’m also thinking of doing some famous cars, such as James Dean’s Porsche 550 spyder and the 1950 Lincoln parade car that came to Ireland with President Kennedy. I did some sketchs of car chases fron Doug’s series Search and I think I will do some paintings of those and cars Doug drove on screen (I collect model cars and have started a small collection of cars he drove, such as the 1957 Ford Fairlane he had in Checkmate and the Corvette he drove in The Death of Me Yet and Search. I sent Doug a birthday card in 1977 with the yellow Corvette on it, his future wife Diane Furnberg replied on his behalf and sent me his agents’ address to write to him in L.A., so Doug got an example of my artwork! I’m so glad you have recovered from your accident in 2002, and I’m sure husband no 6 is too, you’ve had one more spouse than Doug! I must go over to The Irish Forum and welcome you there. See ya there!
Wow – Nic, your enthusiam is making this web-site ‘jump’ with such cheery commentary!
I noticed this: I have started a painting of a heron
My daughter has heron that come to their place in Ohio; they have 17 acres with their house in the middle of the woods, and the Little Miami River running down through it – she named her accounting firm, “Heron Ridge” just because she loves them too. I’ll be anxious to see the final rendering; I hope you’ll be able to share it in some way, so I can send any link you might have to it, to my daugher (she’s 49 years old; lives outside of Mason and Morrow, Ohio – USA).
Then I read this: a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing and a Lincoln sedan. I’m also thinking of doing some famous cars, such as James Dean’s Porsche 550 spyder and the 1950 Lincoln parade car that came to Ireland with President Kennedy. I did some sketchs of car chases fron Doug’s series Search and I think I will do some paintings of those and cars Doug drove on screen (I collect model cars and have started a small collection of cars he drove, such as the 1957 Ford Fairlane he had in Checkmate and the Corvette he drove in The Death of Me Yet and Search.
Where I live in Laughlin, Don Laughlin has an antique car collection and museum; all of the cars you’ve mentioned are on display (each and every model you’ve mentioned). Unfortunately, he doesn’t allow photographs, or I’d send you some.
I had the 1957 Ford Fairlane you speak of, but sold it to my brother-in-law, so we coud buy the 1957 Chevrolet that we liked so much (both were exceptional; I still prefer the Chevy).
My friend in Seattle, WA, has a 1976 Corvette; very nice. An old boy-friend of mine had a 1955 Corvette – I still like the 1955 and the 1956 the best. My first husband and I both raced sports cars, as well as motorcycles. I put all of that away, after my second child was born – didn’t want to have an accident that would have stopped me from being a ‘mom’.
We had a 1957 Austin-Healy; very nice. I’ve owned a TR-3; an MGB-GT; a very dark (almost black) purple; truly loved that one! I’ve had two T-Birds, and my current husband had a 1956 T-Bird (although I didn’t know him back then); at least he still has pictures of it with him in the driver’s seat.
I think it would a great project to do up those classic cars; just as you mentioned, be sure to include James Dean’s car. I visited the place where he died; they’ve built a gas station; restaurant, and small museum near the spot where he died – in his memory, and you can buy all kinds of memorabilia from this location. It’s a long stretch; still pretty much a lonely road – and I think everyone likes that fact.
You mention a JFK’s Lincoln – my grandfather had one of the first Lincolns that were ever made; he was friends with the Ford family, and my uncle was VP of Ford’s Motor-wheel division years ago before he retired (he’s 86 now). My Grandpa never drove anything but a Lincoln; his son either Fords or Mercury cars, and my nephews co-own a Ford dealership in Michigan.
My son owns two Honda dealerships in Ohio; I felt badly he didn’t go for the American-made car, but at the time he bought into all of it, the Japanese cars were selling the best, and of course he had to make money in order to pay the huge cost of the dealership costs. Nevertheless, he loves old cars; has two Harley’s, and is much like his father (my 1st husband) as we all share the love of othe open road; the car – the speed – the beauty of the automobile’s design!
I’m glad they chose ‘horsepower’ to use in measuring the power under a car’s engine; my first love is riding a horse ‘at any speed’, cars will always be second for me because you can’t hug a car and get a nicker and a kiss from it.
I then read: I sent Doug a birthday card in 1977 with the yellow Corvette on it, his future wife Diane Furnberg replied on his behalf and sent me his agents’ address to write to him in L.A., so Doug got an example of my artwork!
So you corresponded with him about 8 years before I first met him – I’m sure he appreciated your kindness, and of course as is so necessary in our country, artists don’t get ‘anywhere’ without an agent (sadly, it’s true). Sadly (also), most take 50% of the artist’s fee for their final piece; an agent can have a bevy of artists who are paying 50%; doing very little to contribute to the over-all compilation and completion of the art-piece, and snag half of the proceeds. The artist is just the artist – one person; getting 50% yet doing 100% of the work.
I don’t know what it’s like in Ireland; hopefully your country knows how to appreciate the artist FIRST – not make the agent ‘richer in $$$’ than the artist who produces the end-product.
I use the ‘oldladyplayspiano’ on my You Tube site; it came from a man who contacted me from Las Vegas – re a discussion on Liberace; the museum up there, and the fact I’d been playing the piano at a local piano store, and apparently someone gave him my name. He wanted me to join You Tube; I’d never bothered with it, and wrote him back that I was too old of a lady to bother. He urged me join, so I picked that moniker from that exchange of e-mails; I don’t visit it often, but I have selected a number of piano pieces that I did find and enjoy.
If you like music and want to build your own play-list, this is the one I use:
http://www.playlist.com
I’ve introduced it to a lot of people; it’s free and wonderful – thousands of songs you can select, and plenty of Irish tunes (of course I have one play-list just of Enya, who I’m sure you like).
Sounds like we have a lot in common; Paul has created a wonderful web-site here, and a place for us all ‘to meet’ – we owe him…………..
My best – the older lady on this page (I turn 68 in November).
Hi, Diane,
Very interesting talk of cars, perhaps off-topic, I hope Paul doesn’t mind. My brother had a Austin Healy in Canada in the early 60’s, a 1958 model 100/6. We both have relatives in the motor trade and Ford dealers, too! My love of cars comes from my maternal grandfather, T .J. Sheridan, who opened a Ford dealership here in Waterford in 1915, I recently did two paintings of a garage he opened in 1922 which may have had Waterford’s first gas pump. One of the paintings includes a view up the street to the Munster Bar, the bar of which, originally a bank counter, was carved by my paternal grandfather, a carpenter also named Nicholas Fewer, in 1916/17 for a bank up a street further down the Quay and salvaged and put in the bar when the bank was modernised. I think it is from him the various artistic members of the family get their talent, my sister in Houston paints, my brother is a retired architect who illustrates the books he now writes on walking and history with pen and ink drawings of buildings and wildlife, his son is a interior architect and his daughter, who studied art, now designs her own jewelry range. My family always had Ford cars,too,including my uncle’s Cork-built 1949-50 American Ford. My grandfather had at different times, a Belgian Minerva and a Dutch Spyker, but mostly sold only Fords. The business partner of my nephew in Houston is President of the Lincoln Owners Club and has two classic 1970’s Lincoln Mark coupes,like Cannon’s and a current model Towncar. He got me a special look at part of a huge car collection, not open to the public, so no photos allowed there either, belonging to John O’Quinn,which includes some fabulous cars, such as Duesenbergs, that I have only seen photos of in books. My family in Houston have four Hondas between them,I noticed last year how much more popular Japanese cars had become, outnumbering European cars.
I’m glad you like Enya, The Corrs are nice, too.
68 is not that old,says he who is only ten years away from being 68 himself! The older you get, the younger old gets!
Nic – my, oh my – this has been fun and like you, I hope Paul doesn’t mind, but I bet he feels good that he’s bringing people together with a common ‘primary interest’; if they establish they have more interest in common, I think he’s give us our blessings.
I’ve been to Houston quite a few times; my grandfather who was the beef breeder spent a lot of time in Montana and Texas; he was president of the National Cattlemen’s Association a very long time ago, so he traveled a lot and met the owners of larger breeders and ranchers.
When my dad was in WWII, I lived in Killeen, Texas while mom tried to stay close to dad when he came home on leave. So, I’ve had my first early years, exposed to those wide open spaces, and loved them.
I fondly recall my last visit; we traveled off the highway, and found Shamrock, Texas (aptly named for the Irish, I think). We had the kindest greetings; friendly service, and wonderful food – it’s a tiny little town that’s tumbling down in some parts, but as an artist you’d find it a hot-bed for finding truly wonderful scenes conducive to being put on canvas (as I think Paul would too).
On topic: I think you and Paul might like this link if you haven’t already found it. I get the feeling I’m probably way behind the both of you in learning more the entire time-line and life of Doug McClure.
I’ve seen his movies; I knew him more as an artist, and a happy human being.
Don’t be depressed by this link; it’s an obiturary written up for Doug, and it has some of his personal remarks – it seems he was truly a ‘trooper’ by staying active right up until but a few months before cancer took his life. My dad also died of lung cancer as did two of my cousins (both in their 50’s); it’s hard to see this disease ravage people.
I had my first bought with cancer in 1975; it took me a year, but I got well after the surgery and my vegetarian diet (I denied any chemotherapy or radiation because I don’t believe in it).
I met Barry Lynes (you can Google him) in 1990; he’s quite an activist about NOT using routine and standard forms of treatment; he and I did some joint writing on the subject when we both lived in So. California.
I had a tiny bout with skin cancer a few years ago; again, I did iti ‘my way’ (I think that should be my personal theme song), and using the same type of rest; foods, and supplements I did great.
I found out in 2002, what it’s like to really be injured; nearly die, and spend 5 years going through therapy; rehabilitation – pain like I’d never endured and seizures that nearly did me in many times. Still, I trusted my body; trusted my doctors and minimized ‘worry’ as I felt calm in going through this – I couldn’t even play my piano or remember what I’d done an hour before.
Long days in bed; long months in bed and being hauled to all kinds of clinics; doctors and hospitals – yet, my body just kept believing, and on June 21, 2007, I woke up with no pain; no more seizures and calm as could be – it was a ‘mini-miracle’ and I have been up and running ever since.
Now I’m only slowed by insomnia and at times, strange dreams that put me into a ‘dream life’, and a ‘real life’, but they seem to be sporadic and I’m learning to accept them.
Hey, by now poor Paul is wondering if he’s become the e-mail center for Nic and Diane (I notice you spell it Nic – my 3rd husband spelled his name Ric; interestingly, my 6th husband just goes by Rick because he’s a Richard too). Curious; my uncle Dick was a Richard – didn’t like the name Richard as it seems so many guys with that name don’t, and shorten it.
With that, I will finish and tell you my favorite actor of all time was a Richard – Richard Burton; a voice that no one has matched in my life-time; a way with using his eyes and body that left me in awe, and I also miss the fact he died too young.
Yes, I love Enya; I’ll have to look up that other group that you’ve mentioned so I can add it to my play-list.
I don’t know what time it is there, but I know for me it’s time to go with my family to dinner, and they’re waiting for me.
It’s been a wonderful day talking with you – I’ve so enjoyed it, and okay, I can remember when I was 58; I was still shooting half-court shots on the basketball court, and now I’m only able to sink them from the outside ring (but still good for 3 points).
I wish you would put a web-site with our art-work; any photos, and all that you’ve done for both Paul and I to see. If it’s not possible for you, then share with Paul as best you can – I know he thinks highly of you.
Night now. Diane
Gad, I goofed again – forgot that link to Doug – my head is goofy at times…………..
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19950206&slug=2103465
Let’s bring some of that Irish music you mentioned; I bet Paul will enjoy it, and I’m sure Doug would have loved it!!!!
In Doug’s memory, let’s remember the Irish; in Nic’s honor, let’s enjoy both the Corrs and Enya.
Here’s the play-list I built for all of you:
http://www.playlist.com/playlist/18065351947
Thanks Diane. I’m a fan of The Corrs and Enya to an extent.
My mother was Irish. Born in County Cavan so I’m a fan of Irish music.
Got your comment Paul; of course since Nic mentioned those two groups, I just wanted to do something special for him – he’s been so generous with his time and very nice to me.
I’ve built 102 play-lists; most are classical music, but I don’t have that many people who enjoy classical as I do, and I’m pretty tolerant of 90% of the music that’s performed well.
I love the Irish performers; they’re so full of life and zest.
I hope Nic likes it……….
Have a good week-end to both of you; we’re goint over to the ocean for the week-end, so that will be fun.
Hi,Diane and Paul (Ladies first!) ,
A friend, Janet from Cork, had that obit of Doug from the Seattle Times at a reunion we had in Dublin about a month ago, it is more or less the same, word for word, as ones I have from the L.A. and Houston papers, except that qoute from 1988 about buying a house in Carmel, this must be the house a friend named Donna on David Macklin’s Yahoo group took a photo of for me and posted there. I had expected a bigger house like the one he spoke of ten years earlier, which had 8 bath tubs and a film studio where he made short documentary movies, but this is the last house he lived in up there and probably moved into it after his last marriage break-up, as he said “All my wives were good house keepers, they kept the house”!!!! Thanks for the link to this, as I had wanted to copy it and now I have downloaded it instead. They have one mistake, One West Waikiki wasn’t a movie, but a Cheryl Ladd tv series Doug was geust star on, he collapsed on the set but soldiered on like the true professional he was and completed it. The episode, ironically titled “Rest In Peace”, was dedicated to him. I found another short item on their website about his star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame.
I’m sure Doug would like the Irish music, he danced an Irish jig in a Virginian ep, accompanied by The Irish Rovers! (That ep made my sister homesick,hearing the Irish ballads)
You are an amazing lady to recover from your illness the way you did.
I wonder did your grandfather visit Missoula, Montana, two of my great aunts married there in 1904 (The ones Trampas meets in my Virginian fan fiction), maybe he was even there the same time as they were !
I’m going up to Dublin to a concert in The National Concert Hall tomorrow in which my friend Helen’s son , Rory, is playing (They’re both members of the Irish Forum) and Helen has posted a link there to a Youtube video of Rory in connection with it. He’s in more videos on Youtube than the rest of us, last year with James Drury and this year with George Hook, an Irish sports and political commentator.
Richard Burton did a movie, Equus, with my favourite actress, Jenny Agutter, but they didn’t share any scenes, she got a BAFTA (British Academy Award) for her role.
Hi – Ipm up and no one else is; my the house is quiet and we have one of the first cooler mornings here (my son also lives in a desert area as I do). Equally refreshing is reading Nic’s latest commentary; I must say I’ve never met anyone who has been a fan of Doug’s like he is (and I’d have to believe Paul is too).
I can get into this kind of dialog with my brother about music; he’s well known in the southwestnern part of Michigan, for building custom-guitars as well as his performances with a small group that I wish I could share with you both. If either of you are familiar with Eric Clapton, my brother could be his younger brother; they sound alike; play alike, and look so much alike.
I put that entry here because I detect that both of you enjoy your music which is something I don’t find as common with my friends; I’m as much of a music-lover as you could find, and it’s been enjoyable sharing more than just art; cars, and the history that Paul has brought together on this site. I feel fortunate to have met you both – it has given me a reason to check e-mails this early morning, in the hope that there might be more wonderful remarks by the both of you.
Maybe Nic, you could put that YouTube link up for us to check out your friend’s music – I’d love that.
As to Montana, my great uncle Eugene Lissa lived in Butte; he was a baker and an artist – he and his wife kept the community happy with fresh-baked goodies; his art was on all the walls of the bakery, and it also was sold in local art shops many years ago. I’ve not only been to Missoula, but throughout all of the southern part of Montana; it is a glorious state as is Wyoming and the Dakotas. In these areas, I can see why so many artists paint landscapes – it is magnificent.
Nic, if you make a trip to visit your family in Houston, you should really plan to see as many of the western states as possible – I do believe you’d love them, and could take pictures back home to sketch and complete.
I didn’t know all the particulars of the Carmel home, but that has to be one of the most scenic places I’ve ever visited; Monterey is my favorite and we go up there to stay at the Presidio whenever we can. They have the homes of the authors open to the people; the old authors of ‘fame’ – and so many art galleries your head just spins trying to figure where to walk first. It’s truly a ‘walking town’ with so much history, and because I like to write poetry, this is a place that inspires anyone to do so.
I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland; purely based upon the film and pictures I’ve seen of you lovely country. I think the color ‘green’ hits me first; imagine that you must have wonderful seafood; gorgeous trees and I’d love to feel that mist on me that I always feel when I go to Monterey.
When I lived in Seattle and toured all of Washington state, there were places that were so green; beautiful trees and huge ferns – the coastal waters that made me wonder if this might be similar to Ireland/Scotland/Wales.
Last night I listened to a Jude Law interview; he’s playing Hamlet and they showed some of the scenes – made me think back about Richard Burton. I do love Shakespeare and have a complete library of his works – my books are as precious to me as my art and music (I think I should have been born in an earlier time sometimes).
We’re going to drive over to the ocean for the week-end with my family; obviously, Laguna Beach will be on that list because of the art galleries; LaJolla because of its beauty and up to Malibu where there’s a restaurant we like (Alice’s Restaurant).
I must start getting things ready for the overnight stay, so I won’t be checking e-mails until early Monday morning; both of you have a wonderful week-end.
“May the saints be with you”……….
I’m gong to be off-line for a few days while my computor is overhauled, so I may not hear about you trip until then, Diane. I’ve been in La Jolla, birthplace of Gregory Peck, who was very proud that his father was a cousin of 1916 leader Thomas Ashe, who led one of the few actions ouside Dublin.
When My E-Mail is fixed, I can E-Mail you both, instead of taking up Paul’s blog with long off-topic posts as we have been doing! We’ll talk again soon.
Hi! Wow! I just accidentally ran across this site!Saw my Singing Cowboy calendar up there and realized that there may be several fans of Doug’s that would like to buy one. I only have five left from so long ago so please let me know if there is any interest. Doug was a good friend of mine and we go way back. I also have several beautiful pen & ink western-theme sketches that my friend Doug drew for me and gave me that might be of interest…and we also did a recording session of my of my songs…a duet by Doug and I…it’s pretty good and sounds just like him! So keep in touch and please feel free to contact me! Best, Diana Blair
My email: gem4song@yahoo.com Diana Blair
This is great, having the two ladies who promoted Doug’s artwork on here, Diana, I would love to have one of the calendars and maybe a sketch. I will E-Mail you with regards to price, if I can afford both. The calendar would be great, but an original Doug McClure WOW!
My dad was friends with Doug for many years and I think was actully in a few episodes of the Virginian. My dad was Ben Young. He recently died last month of cancer in Lexington, KY. He was 77 years old. When I was going thru all of his personal belongings I found a water color painting signed by Doug McClure in 1988. The back of the painting is signed by Doug to my dad on Feb. 15th, 1991. He said it was a real joy to call you my friend and Diane & Me Love You… So from one old cowboy to and older cowboy… Enjoy .. Signed Doug McClure.
I am writing this in hopes that some one who is a art collector might be possibly interested in the piece of history. I would love to hear from someone if they would be interested. My dad was a small actor in some of the older westerns such as Gunsmoke, Wagon Train and El Dorado with John Wayne. My dad also graduated from UCLA where Doug graduated.
Feel free to contact me.
Regards,
Allen HIott
Thanks for posting Allen and telling us about your father’s friendship with Doug.
Hi, Allen,
As a big fan of Doug’s, I love to hear stories about him from people who knew him, so thanks from me too, for sharing this with us. I’m sorry to hear about your Dad, but it might be some consolation to know he had such a good friend in Doug. Rest assured, they have renewed their friendship now. If I had a painting of Doug’s I would hold on to it, but then, as I said, I’m a big fan.
I would love to have an original painting by Doug, but I figure it would be beyond my pocket. I can’t think of anyone I would rather have a painting by if I could afford it. When I was buying the sketchs from Diana Blair, I would have payed $100 or maybe even $200 for an original if she had been selling any.
An original painting must be worth at least somewhere between $500 and $1,000, I wouldn’t let it go for less than $500. I hope whoever buys it is a big fan of Doug’s, someone who will really appreciate it. It would be a great investment, sure to go up in value, especially now that The Virginian is in the public mind again.
Good luck, Allen!
Nic.
Nic, the large painting I have that Doug did and signed on the back for me, was priced at $5,000. The smaller caricature Doug did of himself; also signed and dated, was priced at $2,000. I thought I should give you an idea of what Doug sold his paintings for, so you won’t find anyone willing to part with a painting that they’ve paid that kind of money for any less than what they paid for it (unless they’re really hard up for the money).
Doug had some unframed sketches on 9×12 (approximately) paper (inches), and was selling those for $350 in 1989. I don’t know if he ever bartered below the listed price, but (again) this gives you an idea of what the art-work was priced at back then.
Normally once the artist dies, the art-work is sold at a higher value……
Hi, Diane,
I geuss I SLIGHTLY underestimated the value of Doug’s paintings! I was going to say that you would have a better idea of the value, since you sold many of them back in the ’80’s. I just wanted to make sure Allen didn’t sell his painting for less than it was worth.
I would imagine the value of Doug’s artwork will rise, so maybe Allen should hold on to it for a while. As you said the value goes up when the artist is no longer with us to produce more paintings and renewed interest in The Virginian and Doug will increase demand for Doug’s paintings.
I’m going to put some of my sketchs on my Facebook page even though they’re not quite finished and need some more work. I have a few paintings up already along with some of my sisters.
Nic.
Hi Nic! Yes, I knew you were trying to help the man make a wise and profitable decision if he was going to sell the painting. What makes it even more special, is his own dad was in the movies/television, and if it’s in good quality; framed, of some size (my $5,000 one is a 30″x36″ custom-made frame with glass), with all the history, he probably has a nice painting for someone who is a collector of not only art, but of western-television films and programs.
You can be sure if I had it, I wouldn’t sell it – to me, it’s a ‘keeper’ because it’s a tribute to his father more than anything.
Let me know when you put up the FB paintings to the point you’re ready to show them off, and tell me what album to look in.