THE AMERICANA COLLECTION
"The Americana Collection" is a series of artworks showcasing moments that reflect a nostalgic time that once lived in America. Artworks that create a unique mood and take you back to a time between the 70s-90s era. Beau has taken modern-day snapshots of what these moments may have looked like in the past while still staying true to the American cowboy. Old roadside gas stations, vintage motels, and other historic backdrops create a timeless aesthetic with a western touch.
Each of these artworks is available for purchase and comes in various sizes. For more info on pricing and sizing, please fill out the form below and you will be connected to one of the galleries that represent Beau's work.
If you would like to find out additional framing and printing info, click here. Thank you.
THE FOUR ACES MOTEL
I have always been fascinated by the lifestyles surrounding the 1970s-1990s era. I grew up in the 90s in a small town located in the Mojave Desert in California. The nostalgic imagery captured back in those days has such a unique feel to them. With that in mind and other inspiration drawn from classic movies, I wanted to capture a series of images that reflected a 1970s story based in the vast desert surrounding my hometown. In this particular image out of the series, I wanted to create a scenario of a woman who just showed up at this motel in the middle of the desert in her classic 1971 Ford Galaxy. A place where cowboys and other drifters come together. Something that tells a story of how cowboys in the 70s could ride their horses up and stay the night. Where vagabonds could escape and call this place home for a night or two as they pass through town. I wanted to create an image that takes your mind back to this time period and gives you an idea of what an ordinary day might have looked like back then. This location is an actual Hollywood film set called The Four Aces. I contacted the owner and after an extensive interview process, receiving an LA County film permit, and production insurance, I was finally able to create a series of images that have been on my mind for quite some time.
NO VACANCY
This artwork was one of the most challenging photographs I have had to produce. While creating a new collection of work in the Mojave desert, I had this concept in mind to capture a few cowboys posted up in an old motel lobby that had a 1970s feel to it. Vintage denim, dirty cowboy boots, and a room full of time-period-appropriate props, it was coming to life perfectly. While composing the photo there was something missing. When I looked outside as I gathered my thoughts, I began to smile while everyone else probably thought I was crazy. I wanted to stage a real horse with its head peeking through the open window as if he were greeting the cowboys. Horses always have quirky moments and are oftentimes amusing to watch. This was one of those times I really wanted to show off that personality. Carefully moving the horse into position, I had to wait for him to naturally peek his head in the window while his ears were forward. Luckily for me, the horse was as calm as can be but it was very difficult to capture a photo where everything was almost frozen. I was working with very limited lighting while shooting on a tripod so everything in the photo had to be still for the image to be sharp enough to print. After many failed attempts we finally nailed it. This was the last photo I captured on this roll of film.
MOJAVE 1975
While working out logistics for my new artwork series, Mojave, this concept was one of the more challenging production sets to pull off. The final image you see here was only captured once on a roll of 120mm film. Weeks prior to this, I knew I wanted to have an old phone booth built outside of this classic diner while parking the car at the perfect angle to not block the cowboys staged in the backdrop. I didn’t have any idea what the location looked like in person nor had any time to scout before the day of filming. I had to work with what few images I could find online, various angles taken from Google Earth, and a notepad which I sketched on to give me a general idea. On set, we spent about an hour setting up the phone booth in the perfect spot, followed by adjusting the two vehicles at the correct angle. We used a 1969 Ford Galaxie 500 and a 1971 Ford F-250 Pickup. Once the vehicles were in place, I began posing the cowboys in the background and the two models last. Looking through my camera viewfinder felt like taking a step back into 1975. Everything fell perfectly into place. The styling of the outfits down to the props placed around the set. It was an incredible moment to have come to life with barely any reference to go off of. I hope this artwork takes you through a nostalgic daydream as it does for me.
PIT STOP
My artwork, Pit Stop, was created with references like Bonnie & Clyde and the movie Pulp Fiction floating around in my head. A story that focuses on two lovers stopping at an old diner somewhere in the Mojave desert. An empty and barren wasteland that stretches on for miles and miles offering those who visit a last call to fill up on gas, grab a bite to eat, or crash in an old dusty motel room for the night. I wanted to capture a mood that felt lived in. A place that allows your mind to engage with it and feel like you’re standing there under a hot summer sun. Surrounding you in an environment filled with rolling tumbleweeds, cracked leather seats, 70s country echoing through the valley, the smell of burgers on the grill, cigarette smoke dancing in the air, the bell hanging above the gas station door dinging as you walk in, and the lovely stare from a woman’s eyes sitting beside you. This artwork was also an opportunity for me to create a scenario that I believe was just an average day fifty years ago. A much simpler time in a place I once called home. This artwork is for those who live for adventure. For those who live on the road. Finally, for those who just need a mental escape from our everyday lives.
CARWASH 78'
I find a lot of inspiration from the 70s era. The classic cars, the lifestyle, it's always captivated me. I went into this idea with the thought of a typical warm summer day in 1978. These types of photos are always a joy to produce because I get to outsource outdated items such as classic cars and vintage wardrobes but still add a Western twist to them. To me, it's something you'd expect to see every day in the country. Where a cowboy would cool his horse off after working all morning under a hot sun, mixed in with the everyday customer looking to detail their car before hitting up the honky tonk that night. This image just looks like it was taken in a much simpler time. When the little things like your local carwash were an everyday thing. I was fortunate enough to include local cowboys and cowgirls to help bring this vision to life. We staged the vehicles on a Sunday morning and trailered the horse out with us to be the focal point of the image. Each one of these men and women either rodeo full-time or work on a nearby ranch. After developing the film and getting the final image back from the lab, it brought back so many memories of my own. I remember growing up getting excited to grab a handful of quarters and help my parents wash the car. If we didn't have change, I would just wash the cars at home and take a drink from the outside hose when it got too hot out. This artwork is dedicated to those memorable times while also creating a sense of wonder for the viewer.
THE WHITE ELEPHANT SALOON
Anyone who has ever been to the famous Fort Worth Stockyards knows the legacy and the importance of The White Elephant Saloon. It marked its territory back in the 1890s in the dangerous Hell's Half Acre. After a long dormancy, it moved to the stockyards and has been one of the main attractions to Fort Worth since the 1970s. After being connected to the owners and management, I knew I wanted to create an artwork that showcased what a typical day in the 70s would look like in the front of the saloon. I was able to get my hands on a classic car and truck to stage along the curb and even hire a local cowboy who brought a longhorn with him for us to use to set the tone and create a fun concept. After these connections were set in place, I wanted to hire two friends of mine who are standing in the background by the front door and are both full-time ranchers and rodeo athletes. Next, I was fortunate enough to not only use models in the foreground but also include one of the daughters of American Hat who helped with outsourcing and shaping all of the cowboy hats to fit the 70s era. Lastly, we tied it all together and pulled vintage outfits from a local store called Studio 74. It was a big production and we only had the street to ourselves for thirty minutes. I worked as quickly as possible with styling everyone, setting up the vehicles, and waiting for the longhorn to be placed in the perfect spot. Once everything came together we were able to capture this photo along with a whole sidewalk full of people taking photos on their phones. I'm very excited about how this image came together and it always creates a sense of joy and nostalgia when I look at it. The movie, "Urban Cowboy" with John Travolta is what comes to mind and this photograph just showcases an older time in Fort Worth, Texas.
SUMMERTIME BLUES
Just south of downtown Dallas, TX exists an old now closed-down liquor and convenience store called Elmer's. I happened to accidentally stumble upon this place while driving by and fell in love with the old sign that hung above the entrance. During that same trip to the Dallas area, I had an idea to gather some cowboys I have worked with in the past and a couple of models to stage this concept one late afternoon. The vision behind it was to create an early 90s hot summer day in Texas. A day where local cowboys could pick up a case of beer and hang out in the bed of an old pickup while strumming along on an old guitar to pass the time. Two women who just stopped for a quick bite took a second to enjoy the tunes and the company of a cowboy and his horse who stopped in for a pack of cigarettes. This takes me back to a time as a kid watching people gather outside of old stores like this and exchange stories before hitting the road. A time when we slowed down a bit more to enjoy the company of others under a warm summer sun. Nostalgic moments like these are always the focus of my Americana works. I try to capture moments that once existed that drive our curiosity or bring joy to the viewer as they reminisce back to these times. I call this one Summertime Blues.
DAYS AT THE GREENWOOD
The Greenwood Dancehall and Saloon is an old watering hole just southwest of Fort Worth, TX. It is only open Fridays through Sundays and is a well-known place to get away to for cold beer, strong spirits, and live music. Picture frames cover the walls from floor to ceiling with random oddities like mounted deer heads, Christmas lights, neon signs, and old boots hanging from the ceiling. It's a dim environment where little to no outside light shines in. As you sit at the small bar, you can only imagine the tales this place has told. Bar fights, drunken debauchery, and smooth music met with the lingering cigarette smoke that fills the room. You know exactly the atmosphere I'm talking about. It's a place that holds the old saying, "If you don't like it, then leave" authentic Texas attitude. I captured this photo to showcase what a typical weekend day looks like at this old saloon. A place where cowboys, liars, cheats, gamblers, musicians, and pretty women all come together over a cold one. This artwork is dedicated to the saloon life and the memories they all hold within their four walls. A place that used to exist in every town across America which is now slowly fading with modern times. This photo is meant to take us back to simple times with good company and even better stories.
THE FROSTY DRIVE N
I found this old diner one day while researching online for old ice cream shops that had a vintage feel to them. When I spoke to the owner I was excited to hear about the history of the place and immediately began planning a concept for this photo. After gathering the classic car and pickup truck, we parked them up front and had the models interact with local cowboys who had just ordered two old-fashioned ice cream cones to enjoy on a hot day between working cattle. I originally thought of having one of the models stand next to the cowboy on the right and just act like they were conversing with each other. As soon as she stepped in front of the horse, he smelled the cone and began eating the ice cream out of her hand. It created a funny and natural moment that I could only capture once before she pulled the cone away. We all laughed and paused after that and I knew that was the final photo I wanted to capture. After seeing the film once it was developed I once again laughed to myself in joy noticing the ice cream on the horse's mouth and the smile on the girl's face. It's quick moments like these I never know will happen but it makes these artwork concepts even better.
Print Enquiry Form
Beau's limited edition photographic prints are available to purchase. Prices range depending on size and editions.
Once you have completed the inquiry form below, we will be in touch to provide you with one of the galleries that represent Beau's work. They can help answer any questions relating to the price and size of your chosen image or idea.
To see what a Beau Simmons Fine Artwork would look like in your home, please email a photo of the wall space where you would envision hanging the artwork and we will send you a rendering.
We aim to reply within one business day of receiving your email. Thank you.
