The Fort Worth Herd

"The Fort Worth Herd"    8" x 10"    Watercolor

After working on several large oil paintings, it's refreshing to paint a small watercolor in my sketchbook.  The subject of this sketch is our very own Fort Worth Herd.  Genuine Texas cowhands drive the longhorns along East Exchange Avenue in the "world's only twice daily cattle drive."  You can read more about the herd and the historic Fort Worth Stockyards here.

"Roger" Finds A Home

"Roger"   24" x 30"   Oil

Thanks to all of you who were able to come to Galerie Kornye West on Saturday for Gallery Night -- it was great seeing you!  For those of you who couldn't make it, I want to show you the finished painting of Roger, which you may have seen in progress in a February post.  Although these Fort Worth paintings I'm working on throughout 2011 are for next year's Spring Gallery Night, "Roger" was on display Saturday night as a preview of things to come.  I'm happy to say that this painting has been pre-purchased by a local art collector who has graciously agreed to loan it to us for the show next spring.

Speed Painting: "Curious Youngster"

Video by Justin Tennison

Original Score by Badger The Third

Detail of "Roger" in Progress

"Roger"   24" x 30"   Oil  (detail of painting in progress)

I'm currently working on an oil painting of Roger from Wortham, Texas, the second place winner in the Grey Brahman Calf Division at the Fort Worth Stock Show.  (I posted a watercolor sketch of him on February 1st).  Right after winning his ribbon, he posed for me in the late afternoon light, with the skyline of Fort Worth in the distance behind him.  I always enjoy the challenge of trying to capture the effect of sunlight late in the day -- with its warm, yellow light and its cool, blue shadows.

More Stock Show

"Roger"   8" x 10"   Watercolor

This is Roger from Wortham, Texas.  He posed for me right after winning second place in the Brahman calf division.   I always enjoy painting a light-colored subject in strong sunlight -- finding and "pushing" the colors in the shadows.   I'm also starting an oil painting of Roger.

As you might imagine, one sees a lot of cowboys (and cowgirls) at the Stock Show.  I'll be painting some of them as well.  Below is a watercolor sketch of local cowboy Ronnie Grayson.  Mr. Grayson is Lieutenant of Arena Security at the Fort Worth Stock Show.  He's a busy man, but kindly consented to pose for a few quick photos, despite a bit of ribbing from his friends.

"Ronnie Grayson"   10" x 8"   Watercolor

"Curious Youngster"  12" x 16"   Oil

The 115th Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo has begun!  I'll be doing some sketching and painting of Stock Show subjects in the coming days, until the show closes February 5th. 

I was amused by the wide-eyed curiosity of this calf, staying close to mom on his first trip to town for the big show.