Welcome! By the telling of The Bill Rane Story, this site is lovingly
dedicated to preserving, and even advancing, that sense of wonder, and the joy of seeing, that Bill Rane shared during
his lifetime with everyone he met--the very same sense of wonder and joy that he laid on every one of his original works with
only one notable exception of which we are aware--more about that is in the site.
In the past three years, since Bill's death in September, 2005, several elements have developed. While Bill's
work continues to suffer from the lack of coordination and retrospection, the question as to whether he is the most significant
American painter in the last quarter of the twentieth century continues to boom and none have successfully suggested that
any other painter has achieved a sythnethesis of color and form as significant as Mr. Rane's achievement during this
period. History is indeed forming around his work and the foresight of some who saw him, during is life, as a
towering figure of enduring significance continues to ring truer and truer. In spite of the lack of academic credential,
self dealing, and the respect of many around this artist during his life, history is unable and unwilling to overlook the
statuture of his achievement.
Here at The Bill Rane Story we are absolutely committed to the future and the possibility of universal appreciation for
Bill's talent, creation and vision. We believe that the accumulated wisdom and beauty reflected through his paintings
leaves the opportunity for a true appreciation of the potential for beauty everywhere. We feel Bill's presence, wit,
intelligence and drive now more than ever.
This site is a little different than most internet sites. You won't find anything for sale. All the links will do is take
you to more stories, more information, and many, many images and more images--after all Bill was all about seeing. There are
no pop ups, no internet tricks, no secret doors, no tracers, no cookies, no ads and no credit card form to fill out for a
trial offer. But, in keeping with Bill's remarkable relevance in this Post Modern day, it comes as no surprise to us that
the internet is great place to tell his story because all along the way we provide links to wikipedia for the facts and many
of the images of our culture are brought together in a remarkable way. Without this technology, we don't think we could really
tell his story very well except face to face, one person at time, the way Bill did it.
Some of the pictures tell whole volumes in themselves--link around and you'll see. Bill lived his life as a part of everything
he touched--so really telling his story turns out to be the story of many things: ancient myths, American settlement in the
territorial west, the history of art, the sixties with its music and unique times, the story of the beats and the hippies...
it kinda goes on an on... don't worry though, we keep it all in context. It's a great story and along the way you will see
that every Bill Rane painting actually does bring joy and deep value for those who can take the time to really look.
We think you will find something valuable here no matter if you thought you had seen all his paintings and knew everything
about Bill already or if this is just the beginning of your journey down this path.
This is a very comprehensive site with lots of information about Bill, that important American painter, life poet and philosopher
who surveyed the new beatnik scene after World War II in the San Francisco Bay, Latin America and the American West before
settling into Taos, New Mexico where he lived out his unique, insightful and talented creative vision.
We believe that Bill--his paintings and life work--may prove out to be one of the single most important American
cultural developments in many years. We know that he was way too modest for anything like this but, with his death, the
time has come. We can now all see the better just what he was up to and how significant an achievement he has left
for all of us who choose to see beauty around us and in everything we are and can yet become.
Bill always thought of the "next" artist and he deeply believed in evolution. But, in telling this story we
think the question of Bill's significance within World Art History comes into greater focus. It
is not our place to judge that issue and we aim only to tell the story itself in each authentic piece--piece by piece.
We do believe, however, we confess, that those pieces all fit together pretty snug. We only aim here to tell the entire
story and leave it to you to ultimately decide the meaning, or value, of that story.
A reader might ask if this is simply our view of The Bill Rane Story. We would respond that, yes, history has subjective
elements, necessarily, and that this is simply one interpretation, our interpretation, of The Bill Rane Story.
Please, delve in. This a big site. There is a lot here. Take your time--visit for a while and come back often.
Have a cup of coffee and, "if you got 'em, smoke em "-- have a cigarette, with Bill--right here. The essays
are varied and it might make more sense to poke around a little and then pick just one to read completely--if you have the
patience--rather than link around a paragraph here and a paragraph there endlessly. The essays, really, each stands
on its own.
If you have suggestions or information, you are invited to join us in the creation, management and evolution of this site,
the home for the whole of The Bill Rane Story. And, just as Bill believed
that a creative task of the heart could never be truly finished, this site is always changing, expanding, improving, transforming
and growing. If we make changes that you think take away from the story, let us know. It's a collaberative
effort.
We miss Bill and this site is one of the ways we use to keep in touch with him. If you ever met him--you probably
know what we mean. If you didn't get to meet him in life though, don't worry. We think you'll find him here, in The
Bill Rane Story.
Experiencing Bill's creative demands and drive could be hard, if rewarding, work for the mind, soul and intellect but he
was always about never ending optimism, joy, beauty and good humor. He didn't take himself too seriously and we always have
to keep that in mind because somehow now that he is gone it is sometimes too easy to forget that his life was all about deep
meaning and creative fun. For Bill, they were the same thing--you'll find more about that in here too.
Please use the contact page to give us feedback and stay in touch. If you have biographical information about details of
Bill's life or quotes, those amazing little things he so said freely and without affectation, we would love to hear from you.
You can contact us at the email addresses given on the contact page or just use the auto responders provided.
We also love to find out about everything we can about every single work Bill ever did--every one has a good story from the
one's he traded for doctors care of his kids in the California beatnik days to his final sale from his historic Ledoux Street
Studio Gallery on Taos' fabled Gallery Row.
We hope to see you often but we'll be here when you get back, if you wander a way for a time. Keeping
the colors ready for your review, tending to Bill's story and putting all the pieces together into this most remarkable tapestry.
We almost forgot: Thanks For Visiting. It really is our pleasure to host
The Bill Rane Story and we're so glad you found us.
