2025 Sold Works

Clemency

36 x 24
2025
Charcoal 

This piece has a deep story behind it. Bartlett Richards started the Spade Ranch, a neighboring ranch to mine, in the late 1880's. He was a controversial character who believed in ranching and grazing rights and even fought the government to the Supreme Court level to defend those rights. He was eventually jailed for putting fences on unclaimed land; possibly made a political scape goat for Teddy Roosevelt with whom he had had bad interactions when they were both cowboys on the South Dakota range. The Bixby family who took over management of the Spade Ranch fought for Bartlett Richard's freedom. Onie Bixby wrote a letter to Theodore Roosevelt asking for clemency for Bartlett Richards. He rode to a prairie township (no longer existing) on the north side of my ranch to mail that letter. His request was not granted and Bartlett Richards died in prison. The saddle and bridle in this piece belonged to Onie Bixby. It was custom built by the Newberry Saddlery in Alliance, NE. It is an incredibly unusual saddle with a diamond quilted saddle seat with no seat rise (the hole in front of the horn). This image commemorates the letter and the ride Onie made attempting to free Bartlett Richards. This information was sourced from Stephanie Bixby-Graham and the book Bartlett Richards published by the Nebraska State Historical Society and the book Lawrence Bixby.

Landmine

14 x 11
2025
Charcoal 

Embrace the Sky

18 x 24
2025
Charcoal 

I’ve been studying our Nebraska Sandhills landscape. It is really unique and has such a complicated beauty. I think you have to have lived here to have seen it. I felt that way when I saw the ocean. It would take a lifetime to “see” it. I have a set of new works planned featuring this unique place. For now, here is a new piece showing the relationship between earth, sky, and horse. NC Wyeth’s simple compositions have been so inspirational recently! ​

Watchman

24 x 18
2025
Charcoal 

Effective Adversary

40 x 30
2025
Charcoal