One hot summer Saturday, we packed up the parrot and the dog and a thermos of coffee, then headed out for a drive to see wildflowers. The flowers didn't disappoint, but, as many such adventures play out, we ultimately happened upon a small herd of longhorn cattle. I forgot my quest for wildflower photos. This longhorn intrigued me. While other animals grazed the sunny grasslands of the Marfa highlands above Pinto Canyon, this fellow languished in the shade, moving only to swish away flies. The play of light and shadow called me to paint this as a landscape with wildlife in it, rather than an animal portrait with land as a backdrop.
I did this painting in my studio, from a dozen or so photo references. (I assured the longhorn his check for modeling is in the mail.) The sanded terra-cotta surface of my paper allowed me to paint many, many layers of color in this summer landscape, while letting the warm colors of the land bleed through all.
from the original pastel
- 7" x 5" print on fine art paper
- matted in soft white to outer dimensions of 10" x 8" to fit a readymade frame
- signed edition, signed on the artwork
- the non-reactive white backing board makes framing easy
- frame this print on paper under glass or fine art acrylic to preserve it
- a clear, resealable envelope protects your matted print until you frame it
- protective foam board packaging makes an elegant gift presentation
