2024 - Rachel Brownlee Fine Art

Sold work from 2024

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
Charcoal

Plainsman

16 x 12
2024
Charcoal

Penumbra

16 x 12
2024
Charcoal

Mothers

5 x 7
2024
Charcoal

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
Charcoal

The Facilitator

18 x 24
2024
Charcoal

Jingling the Herd

18 x 24
2024
Charcoal

Presage

12 x 12
2024
Charcoal

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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
Charcoal

Her Own Society

12 x 9
2024
Charcoal

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
Charcoal

Dr. Mike

16 x 20
2024
Charcoal

Into the Wind

24 x 18
2024
Charcoal

Stillness

30 x 15
2024
Charcoal

Brindle Cow

9 x 12
2024
Charcoal

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
Charcoal

Gathering

16 x 20
2024
Charcoal

Tempest

20 x 16
2024
Charcoal

Black Powder

6 x 12
2024
Charcoal

Striving

24 x 18
2024
Charcoal

Loading Out

36 x 24
2024
Charcoal

Forged of Dust and Time

36 x 24
2024
Charcoal

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.