Originals

“Beyond the Horizon.” Fresh off the drawing board! This handy, young, 11 year old cowboy, grabbed my attention at a local branding. He was an observant, willing, hand. He always seemed to be at the right place at the right time with various duties. In a rare moment, I saw him standing alone just beyond the busy rhythms of swirling ropes, flying dirt, and clouds of dust. He was focused, taking in the whole scene in front of him. As I was drawing this piece, I was pondering the importance of these young men and women who are the future to our western heritage, agriculture, and way of life. This young man is gazing “beyond the horizon” as if looking toward the future with courage and hope. He may not realize how his youthful energy, and laborious chores are preparing him for his success in the years to come. His work ethic inspired me to draw a young iconic image of the west, the next generation of cowboys. -Andy Mast 

 On a local ranch, his little tyke is surrounded by his best friends as he "Waits On Dad." Minutes seem like hours in Allen's little world, as he anticipates the return of his father. Rocky, the Golden Retriever, and Rio, the Blue Roan, help him pass the time as he, dreams about the day when he's old enough to accompany dad on a large cattle drive. According to the evidence carved onto the privy, his imaginations and dreams have also traveled, far beyond his dad's cattle drive on open plains. He spilled the beans with his pocket knife, as he carved initials deep into the wood, of a sweetheart he secretly loves, when attending the local one-room schoolhouse. -Andy Mast

Created as a pair with "Eyes of Wisdom". No words are needed. Words would only get in the way of Jack's "Quiet Confidence" and discernible wisdom.

Created as a pair with with "Quiet Confidence". No words are needed. Words would only get in the way of Jack's kindness and discernible wisdom.

“A Resting Place”. Not a bad place for a break when you are out in wide-open spaces and no trees close by. I’ve wanted to draw this outhouse for a few years and finally it reached fruition. This humble dwelling is located on the local historic Beckwith Ranch. This quaint building always takes me down memory lane when I visit. It reminds me of our own outhouse when I was a kid. When as a young innocent lad, (or not) I would try to scare the girls on their way to the privy! Times have changed.

The minimal amount of light in this piece I felt so keenly with my own life at that time. For days I would go into the studio in attempt to work on its progress but lacked the strength, only to collapse in defeat.  The cowboy’s posture is stooped and spoke to me of my own debilitation. The dim light beam faintly shining down on the cowboy and his horse, matched my own dim ray of hope in life. The expression of the horse is the soul of this work. Among all the darkness and exhaustion the horse’s body is erect and full of life. He seemed to be bubbling with energy. His body wraps around the weary cowboy almost as if embracing him. The eye of the horse the most important of all, exemplifies the incredible amount of strength I pulled from to get through those tough times.

After a long day, this cowboy takes a moment to appreciate the scene unfolding before him as shadows of glory move across the valley. This piece I’ve held in my mind and heart for over four years before my pencil ever touched the paper. This is the pasture in front of my bunkhouse with the view I see most every day. The sharp pyramid is one of the local focal points “Horn Peak” in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. After a lot of contemplation and waiting patiently for it all to happen, I found the perfect group of horses to fit my vision, to work with my “Closest Cowboy.”

The darkness in the clouds reflect the storms of life I’d just lived through. The rays of light coming through the clouds represent hope. The horse and dog are “Best Friends” and show the relationship that animals share on the farm, and metaphorically the friendship I felt from my caring friends during my illness. The rocky foreground signifies the rocky trail I traveled. To the right we get a glimpse of wide open–spaces that spoke to me that the future was endless, full of opportunity and hope. I felt like the horse and dog, they just emerged from the shadows of the barn and wait for the master, looking toward the future, basking in the light of hope.

Compassion in the Chicken Coop, comes from a childhood memory that I fondly hold in my heart. It represents my only sister with which I played in our chicken house when we were probably 4 and 7 years old. We would tuck their heads under their wings to rock the chickens to sleep, perch them on their roost and they would not even fall off. I have wanted to do a work such as this for many years in dedication to my sister. This piece was a pure joy to create. 

The perspective, space, the land, the light and this lone cottonwood here in the valley, made this rural county road a must to capture in pencil. We are all on a journey towards the future. In life we do not see where our path may lead but we trust in due time to reach those glorious mountain tops.