About the drawings

A set of 10 original drawings from the collection of Robert “Doc” Smeton, longtime resident of Twentynine Palms, California, and a close friend of John Hilton. Each drawing is either signed or initialed by Hilton.

Four drawings are color versions of works published in Hilton’s 1947 book “Sonora Sketchbook.” The book tells the story of Hilton’s time living in the Spanish colonial community of Alamos where he purchased and restored an old mansion.

Another six drawings are graphite images of desert landscapes and cactuses, at least three of which were published in a 1960 article about Hilton in Arizona Highways Magazine. An original copy of the magazine is included with the purchase.

Descriptions of the drawings follow; the number preceding each description is referenced on the corresponding image.

1 - Small horizontal drawing from magazine, p. 27: 8.25 x 12 in.

2 - Large vertical drawing in from magazine p. 23, Joshua Tree: 14.25 x 8 in.

3 - Small cactuses with velum cover: 7 x 8.75 in.

4 - Tall vertical lone cactus: 12 x 5.75 in.

5 - Tall vertical cactus, “Cerios of Baja California,” p. 26: 13.25 x 11.75 in.

6 - “Navajo Land” drawing in magazine, p. 24: 9.50 x 11.5 in.

7 - Color drawing from book - snake, lizard, turtle on strings. Marked on reverse “Sonora Sketchbook, John W. Hilton, Chapter - 15”: 13.25 x 11.75 in.

8 - Color drawing from book - 3 images, Cinco de Mayo, hotel, one other image. Marked on reverse “Sonora Sketchbook, John W. Hilton, Chapter - 2”: 16.5 x 11.75 in.

9 - Color drawing from book - breastfeeding woman. Marked on reverse “Sonora Sketchbook, John W. Hilton, Chapter - 32”: 12 x 12 in.

10 - Color drawing from book - girl with pot, no markings verso: 15.75 x 12 in.

Hilton’s book was so successful that his New York publisher Macmillan extended the planned printing far beyond the intended edition. It was reissued by Best West Books of Palm Desert in the mid-60s. Many of the drawings were reproduced and sold as prints.

About the artist…

Hilton’s early artistic endeavors were filled with frustration, but in the late 1930s/early 40s he worked with and was encouraged by many of the fine painters who visited or lived in the desert, including Nicolai Fechin, Maynard Dixon, Jimmy Swinnerton, and Clyde Forsythe.

Dixon in particular had two profound effects on Hilton: First, he convinced Hilton to throw away his early paintings, even though some had won awards at smaller exhibitions and shows. Hilton later remarked that an artist could never progress to the next level if he fell in love with his work. Dixon also convinced him to throw away his brushes and use a knife. Dixon felt Hilton's images were too precise, almost photographic. Hilton claimed that converting to knife painting was a relatively effortless transition if only because he easily tired of cleaning brushes.

Hilton’s works have been widely exhibited, including the Biltmore Salon Los Angeles; the Riverside Mission Inn; Paschke’s Gallery in Riverside; the Laguna Beach Art Gallery; Los Angeles City Hall and Public Library; the Southwest Museum; Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco; La Jolla Art Gallery; Desert Magazine Art Gallery; the Desert Art Center of Palm Springs, and numerous other galleries and shows where his works were often sellouts.

Packaging and Shipping

Shipping within the continental US is included with purchase.

Sales tax

Items shipped or delivered to a Nevada address will include applicable sales tax on the purchase invoice.