The First Dance, 1884 Americana

For the second year in a row, Morgan has won the Artists' and Patrons' Choice Awards at the 2008 Masters of the American West Exhibition and Sale and his original painting sold for $286,100—nearly three times the reserve price. The painting? "The First Dance, 1884 Americana." The idea for the painting, begun as a sketchbook drawing years ago, had taken years to come to fruition. In addition to finding the perfect models, costumes and composition, Morgan did not want to begin on the painting until he could give it his full concentration. Finally, one day last year, he began to create what John Geraghty described in "Western Art Collector" as "his signature work, an absolute master work." Why paint a wedding? "I wanted to celebrate the institution of marriage," says Weistling. "I have been married to my lovely wife JoAnn for many years. I thought of the commitment we made in front of family and friends and what a wonderful feeling it would be to do a painting about that."