Sold work from 2024

Among the Cattle

11 x 14
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Vigil

36 x 24
2024
Charcoal 

This saddle belonged to my husband's grand-father. His father came from Wisconsin to Nebraska in 1885 hoping to build a dairy like he had worked at in Wisconsin. He found the Nebraska Sandhills incompatible with that kind of agriculture. Instead he built a large cattle ranch with a partner. He was unfortunately injured while fighting the prairie fire that consumed the entire ranch headquarters. The family had to sell the ranch and move to town. His son worked very hard his entire life to regain the family place. He was successful at his goal and did eventually buy back his family's ranch and two others, one of which I live on today. Do any of us stand alone in our accomplishments? Probably most of us stand on the shoulders of many others' struggles and successes. At some point in his life he purchased this Coggshall saddle in the tulip pattern and rode it until he died. It is still usable today.

Elevation

12 x 9
2024
Charcoal 

It's About to Get Western

24 x 36
2024
Charcoal 

​This piece features a Colt 38 special revolver, playing cards, and some antique White Horse Whisky bottles. The bottles were found under the Spade Ranch barn. Because they were produced by White Horse Distillers Lmd., they must have been produced after 1924 in Glasgow, Scotland. I am personally impressed that some cowboys making $40 a month managed to get imported scotch whisky out to western Nebraska.
Spade Ranch cowboys weren't allowed to drink or gamble, but it is documented that it did happen and in one particular case, one cowboy was disgruntled at his losses and did hit another over the head the next morning while working cattle. The injured cowboy died and the perpetrator was convicted of manslaughter, served his time in the Nebraska penitentiary, and then returned to work at the Spade Ranch again. It did used to be the wild west out here, and not that long ago.
This is just a spotlight moment of what a bunkhouse "table" (crate) might have looked like one of those nights at the ranch.

As Wind Drives Fire

9 x 12
2024
Charcoal 

Journey

16 x 12
2024
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Plainsman

16 x 12
2024
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Penumbra

16 x 12
2024
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Mothers

5 x 7
2024
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The Way of the River

18 x 24
2024

The Spade

 36 x 24
2024
Charcoal

White Wranglers and Fast Hands

36 x 24
2024
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The Facilitator

18 x 24
2024
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Jingling the Herd

18 x 24
2024
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Presage

12 x 12
2024
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Buy

In the 1870's the Lakota people were being "persuaded" to "sell" their lands and move to the "white man's islands" (reservations). This was after 30 years of fights, papers, and broken promises. This piece features a "pony" as they were known to the Lakota, overlooking the badlands of South Dakota which became the Pine Ridge Reservation where many of the Lakota were sent. The word "presage" means a warning that something bad is coming. Chief Crazy Horse of the Lakota had many presages of the things to come. He was a wise leader who attempted to do the best for his people at the time. He had several preferred war ponies, one a paint and one a bay that was known to be particularly fast.

A Fine Little War

16 x 20
2024
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Her Own Society

12 x 9
2024
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This piece is titled after Emily Dickinson’s poem “A Soul Selects Her Own Society”.
This poem talks about someone eschewing the greatness of society and choosing their own, quiet place.

The Soul selects her own Society --
Then — shuts the Door --
To her divine Majority --
Present no more --
Unmoved — she notes the Chariots — pausing --
At her low Gate --
Unmoved — an Emperor be kneeling
Upon her Mat --
I've known her — from an ample nation --
Choose One --
Then — close the Valves of her attention --
Like Stone --

The Knife

30 x 15
2024
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Dr. Mike

16 x 20
2024
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Into the Wind

24 x 18
2024
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Stillness

30 x 15
2024
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Brindle Cow

9 x 12
2024
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We have crossed Braunvieh and Angus cattle on our ranch. As with cross genetics they sometimes result in interesting color patterns! This is one of our brindle cows.

Path to Plenty

40 x 30
2024
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Gathering

16 x 20
2024
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Tempest

20 x 16
2024
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Black Powder

6 x 12
2024
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Striving

24 x 18
2024
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​

Loading Out

36 x 24
2024
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Forged of Dust and Time

36 x 24
2024
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Pert Opinions and Fine Eyes

12 x 18
2023
Charcoal

Got No Quit

20 x 20
2023
Charcoal

Some days just require a horse that never gives up. When he's tired, he still runs, he still pulls, he still dodges. The sweat is matted and dried and foamy, but he does everything you ask of him. This piece is in honor of those horses.

A Closeness

14 x 11
2024
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Snow Blankets

12 x 16
2024
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​

Parental Duties

20 x 16
2024
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Feeding Calves

8 x 10
2024
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Of Many Fates

30 x 15
2024
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Silver and Steel

12 x 9
2024
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She Surveys

12 x 9
2024
Charcoal