The Ball

The Cattle Baron's Ball of Dallas was held Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Starbrand Ranch in Kaufman, Texas. These paintings were commissioned to appear on promotional material for the event, including tickets, passes, invitations and cover and title pages for the event catalog.

In the Studio

The images are 10.5" x 14.5"...this shot gives you a sense of the size. The paintings fit a 16"x20" frame when matted.

Fistul of Trouble

Oops. Must have been the oats.

My late cowboy friend, Larry Bownds said, "Myers, when you put your foot in that stirrup just pretend you are throwing your leg over a keg of dynamite...'cause you never know what might happen." I learned that lesson all too sudden while lying on my back in a cactus patch one day.

Well, this cowboy got surprised too, but had the situation quickly under control. They say, Cowboying doesn't build character, it reveals it.

Hats, Hair and Hide (Auction Piece)

One of my favorite paintings. Many folks think only of the cowboy as glamour and myth...but it gets hot, nasty and dirty when branding time comes around. Snot, blood, crap and blisters are the uniform of the day. But the hats! The cowboy's parasol...not only protects from the heat of the sun but gives a decided character to each individual cowboy.
All proceeds from the auction sale of this framed painting will benefit the American Cancer Society.

Moving Bell

A big ole gentle Long Horn cow from the Chimney Creek Ranch in the South Plains of Texas. Moving her was a slow process cause she only had one speed. When she died, the owner had her head mounted...and it is HUGE.

Sid's Soles

An earlier painting which has been used on invitations and collateral materials for the Cattle Baron's Ball. It also appears on the cover of the catalog.
Sid was a top hand on a Southern New Mexico ranch back in the 70's. He had been roping and dragging all morning. We stopped for Dinner, (that is what we call the noon meal out west) and were resting on the grass for a bit. Sid was extolling the virtues of his 'broke in' boots...."These soles were worn from stirrups and not the dance floor!"

Seeing Eye to Eye

Early morning at Sierra Blanca Corral. It's cold, and Bob's guess is that pony might just be a bit frisky. Notice the heart-conchos on those leggings...made by my late friend, Bob West of Post, Texas.

The Camp Wrangler

The wrangler for one of my horse-packing trips into the Colorado Rockies. This day was cold and very wet. We always had a big pot of cowboy coffee on the fire, and maybe a shot of snake-bite medicine to warm it up. One of the simple pleasures of the life.