Gene V. Dougherty is an accomplished artist in watercolor and oils, characterizing the American West with an open, clear, and refreshing realism. His experience with taxidermy as a young man gave him technical understanding of animal musculature and proportion, a sense that comes through the realistic beauty of each animal he painted. By personally visiting the sites of his landscapes, he brings to his work a feeling of presence and vibrancy. Dougherty received his Masters in Art Education at  Oklahoma State University, then pursued a 24-year career teaching art at Northern Oklahoma College. While teaching, he continued to develop his own style and technique. His works have been exhibited in Taos, Santa Fe and many other locales in and around Oklahoma.