Gollings, E. William, 1878-1932

Elling William Gollings was born in Pierce City, Idaho. Gollings was not an eager student, however he had a passion for art, and he intensely studied Frederic Remington's drawings in the American political magazine, "Harper's Weekly".

Gollings' family moved to Chicago at a young age and he worked as a ranch hand and took in every aspect of ranch life. In 1896, Gollings left Chicago headed west, to Montana. He landed jobs many jobs that kept him active and immersed in the classic western lifestyle. His first experience with paint was at age twenty-five. After Gollings sold a number of paintings he attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts on a scholarship. After schooling Gollings settled in the small western town of Sheridan, Wyoming, where he reproduced the scenes which he had lived in his earlier days on the western plains.