This is a classic western scene. One we see quite often where we live, and it is always something I always enjoy seeing. That thunderstorm in the background is something always welcomed in our part of the country, too.

I tried to keep the background as simple as possible so the horse and rider and their reflections would be more powerful. The mist and fog worked perfectly for this effect.

This actually happened to me when I was breaking horses. The three year old sorrel in this painting pitched pretty good until she suddenly stopped and ran full-blast across my breaking corral and into the fence. We broke the top three boards and landed in a pile outside the corral. Fortunately, neither of us was hurt, but it was a board meeting I'll never forget!

Here's what it looked like yesterday in Canyon. I've been in this cowboy's situation more than once, and I can tell you he is bone cold--especially his feet. I'll bet he's headed in for a warm fire and a hot cup of coffee, and I'll bet his horse is ready for the barn.

Like most young cowboys, this one has a wonderful imagination. He has made the Finals. He's leading in the average, and is about to become champ. (My youngest son Joseph was my model for this one. He's now six foot three!) Time marches on.

As y'all know, I love to paint Palo Duro Canyon and horses and cowboys. This painting gave me the chance to do all three. This cowboy has given his mount a short breather before taking the steep trail out of the canyon.

Among the Comanche, wealth was determined by how many horses one possessed. This young brave is very happy about this successful pony raid.

A lone mounted cowboy sits atop a hill in the moonlight starring down at an old adobe home. Was it the home he grew up in? Was it an old girlfriend's home, or maybe the first home he shared with his wife and kids? I'll let you decide.

This painting was commissioned by a lady who had just lost her husband. She wanted his horse and dog in it as well. They loved to ride in the mountains, and she had a wonderful picture of him riding, and you could vaguely see those crosses in the background. I think it was a blessing from God.

Bass Reeves was one of the most famous lawmen in Indian Territory. He even arrested his own son for murder. This painting was commissioned for a magazine cover, and I really enjoyed researching the life of Bass Reeves before I did this painting. He was an amazing man.