Jeremy Booth: Capturing the Wild West Through Bold Minimalism

Kentucky-based artist Jeremy Booth masterfully distills the spirit of the Wild West into bold, contemporary compositions. With a background in design and a passion for storytelling through simplicity, Booth’s work strips Western imagery down to its essence while maintaining its emotional depth and power.

His striking, minimalistic approach to cowboys and frontier landscapes has garnered attention from the fine art world, with exhibitions at Christie’s and Sotheby’s, as well as collaborations with top brands like Wrangler, Nike, Apple, Warby Parker, and British GQ. Through his art, Booth redefines Western iconography for a modern audience, ensuring that its timeless themes of resilience and adventure remain relevant today.

We had the opportunity to speak with Booth about his artistic journey, the balance between commercial and fine art, and the evolving narrative of the American West.

Your work captures the spirit of the Wild West with a contemporary, minimalist aesthetic. What drew you to this theme, and how did you develop your distinct style?

I’ve always been drawn to storytelling through simplicity. The American West has this timeless, almost mythical quality to it—full of grit, resilience, and vast open spaces. What really caught my attention was how the imagery of cowboys and the frontier could be distilled down to its essence without losing its impact.

My background in design played a big role in shaping my style. I naturally gravitated toward minimalism—using bold shapes, strong contrasts, and limited colors to communicate a feeling without unnecessary detail. Over time, I developed a visual language that balances traditional Western themes with a modern, graphic approach. It’s about capturing that sense of solitude, hard work, and the beauty of the landscape in a way that feels fresh and timeless.

Your collaborations span major brands like Wrangler, Nike, and Apple. How do you balance commercial projects with your personal artistic vision?

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with major brands, which has been an exciting way to bring my artistic vision into different spaces. However, my primary focus these days is fine art—creating paintings that explore the depth, emotion, and timelessness of the American West.

I’m much more selective about commercial projects now, only taking on collaborations that genuinely align with my artistic direction. If a project allows me to stay true to the Western themes and storytelling that drive my work, I’m open to it.

Minimalism plays a huge role in your compositions. How do you approach simplifying such a rich and storied subject while still maintaining its power and emotion?

The silhouette of the cowboy is inherently powerful—it carries history, grit, and resilience within its form, whether highly detailed or stripped down to its essence. It’s a symbol that stands on its own, evoking emotion and storytelling without the need for excess. My job is to uplift that power through color, composition, and simplicity.

I approach minimalism as a way to sharpen the focus rather than take anything away. By reducing the elements, I amplify the impact—allowing contrast, light, and bold shapes to do the heavy lifting. Every choice, from a single stroke to a carefully selected hue, is intentional. The goal is to create a piece that feels timeless, where the cowboy’s presence commands attention not because of intricate details but because of the strength of its form and the emotions it carries.

With exhibitions at Christie’s and Sotheby’s, your work has entered a global art conversation. How do you see your art contributing to the evolving narrative of the American West?

The American West has always been a rich source of storytelling, history, and culture, yet I think there’s still room to expand the conversation around its significance in contemporary art. My hope is that my work brings more awareness to the cowboy community—not just as a historical subject but as a living, evolving culture that deserves to be celebrated and honored.

Western art isn’t just a niche—it’s a pillar of American art, and by bringing it into modern spaces like Christie’s and Sotheby’s, I want to highlight its relevance beyond traditional boundaries. The cowboy is more than an icon; it represents resilience, hard work, and a connection to the land. Through my work, I want people to see that Western art isn’t just about the past—it has a place in the present and future of contemporary art.

What’s next for you? Are there any upcoming projects, exhibitions, or new directions you’re exploring in your work?

There are a lot of exciting opportunities on the table right now, but nothing set in stone just yet. One collaboration I can share is my partnership with Beef.org this year—we’re working on something special that I’m really looking forward to.

Beyond that, I’ll be back on ranches, gathering photo references and immersing myself in the environments that inspire my work. Being out there firsthand—experiencing the land, the people, and the way of life—adds an authenticity to my paintings that I couldn’t get any other way. These experiences will continue to inform my work, shaping the way I portray the cowboy and the Western landscape in my upcoming projects.