Concentration - roping cowboy painting by Debbie Grayson Lincoln

5X7 Oil on Masonite board
Contact me - I may re-paint the background!

So many things have to come together perfectly at once when a cowboy ropes a calf: Horse must be positioned precisely, rope must be thrown without getting tangled everywhere, rope then has to be tied off on saddle, horse must stop, cowboy stays balanced on horse, etc. I don't think the cowboy realizes how his face looks at this moment, but I see intense concentration that comes from years of experience and practice. I never fail to be fascinated with the procedure...A GOOD cowboy makes it look effortless.
1 Thessalonians 5:2
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
If you are interested in this painting, click here to send me an email. I accept checks and Paypal. I can also arrange LAYAWAY. To view my latest paintings on Daily Painters go HERE. To view larger paintings, go to my Website HERE. To view a wealth of OTHER Texas Artists, enjoy THIS site!

On the Edge - Roper Cowboy and Horse Oil Painting

6X8 Oil on Masonite Panel 

This painting is SOLD

Can you see why "On the Edge" is the title of this little painting? Look where the rope is...and what happens with the horse's next step? "Calm Before the Storm" would be another good title for this painting - rather like today's economic status...but that's another soapbox...

I have seen this happen so many times - a wreck looking for a place to happen, and there is absolutely nothing you can do. Just stand back, stay out of the way and pray no one gets hurt. 

I told you yesterday that we had a new puppy - a German Shepherd female named "Trudy". She's 13 weeks old tomorrow and nearly as big as Georgia already. AND they get along WONDERFULLY. They wrestle and play tag, and Georgia is teaching her all about the chickens, the property boundaries and her other friends (Joy and Max). We are crate training, and so far have had only a couple mishaps (my fault, of course). She learns fast and is eager to please...unlike some politicians I know....oops, I was gonna try to stay away from that subject. Too late. Part of the reason I resumed painting after my hiatus was so I could voice my opinions about the coming elections. We, in Texas, have already started to "throw the bums out" by voting for  Ted Cruz (supported by the Tea Party) in the Republican run-off for Governor and locally voting against another incumbent, Sid Miller, who I have nothing against, but he has served his limit of 2 terms. 

Personally, I have suspicions about ANYONE who would jump into the political arena in today's climate. They must be incredibly altruistic or totally insane. I also think it's too late to do anything about the economic train wreck that about to happen. Prepare yourself - it's gonna be a bumpy ride.

Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

If you are interested in this painting, click here to send me an email. I accept checks and Paypal. I can also arrange LAYAWAY. To view my latest paintings on Daily Painters go HERE. To view larger paintings, go to my Website HERE. To view a wealth of OTHER Texas Artists, enjoy THIS site!

Team Roping - cowboys team roping oil painting by Debbie Grayson Lincoln

12.5 X 5 Palette Knife Oil on panel

$100 includes shipping and insurance in US

I tried something new - all palette knife work - using an image from a local photographer, Allison Ballinger, of Stephenville (with permission, of course). You can find her work at Cross B Photography, and you won't be disappointed!
I have not posted much this past month - been busy getting the new CFAI website up. For those of you who do not know, I am a minor partner with 4 other artists who are much smarter than I, and we (they) have been working night and day re-designing a website called Contemporary Fine Artists International. I have been a partner/member of this group (as well as Artists of Texas) for 3 years and we have decided to take the site to the next level where artists can not only showcase their work, but also market it. I already belong to DailyPainter.com, and that website serves me very well. But it limits who is allowed to sell there - PLUS it costs $40 a month. CFAI only costs $10 a month. For $5 a month more, artists can direct sell their work and CFAI retains a 15% commission from those sales. My partners are EXPERTS at getting the search engines to find us - a very important part of internet commerce. Check it out - and watch us grow! Not all of the 300+ artists are listed yet, but we are getting there...
 Genesis 27:40
You will live by the sword and you will serve your brother. But when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck.
If you are interested in this painting, click here to send me an email. I accept checks and Paypal. I can also arrange LAYAWAY. To view my latest paintings on Daily Painters go HERE. To view larger paintings, go to my Website HERE. To view a wealth of OTHER Texas Artists, enjoy THIS site!

Stand Your Ground

11X12 Oil on Board

Check with Artist for Availability

The cowboy on his horse leaps from the starting chute, chasing a darting calf, throws his rope, leaves the running horse as the rope (hopefully) settles over the neck of the calf, runs down its length, throws the calf, ties three of its legs and throws his hands in the air. Often in less than 10 seconds (if he's gonna win). So much has to happen perfectly for any of this to have a successful conclusion, the least of which is being on a horse who knows when to stop and stand his ground, keeping the rope taunt for the cowboy. If he stops too soon or too late, the calf is lost and the cowboy's entry fee is gone.
I cannot help but conclude that morality in life can be likened to a roping horse who knows where to stand his ground. Variance in either direction can lead to dire conclusions. Practice makes perfect. And some ARE more skilled than others (next time you attend a roping, watch how often a favorite horse gets used by more than one roper).
But when you KNOW what the rules are and have discovered that sweet spot where the consequences of your actions have positive results, the rest of the competition falls into place and a winning time is made!
I  have been asked to show my work at the Tarleton State University Fine Arts Center Gallery in October. My daughter graduated from TSU and I worked there several years back in the 80's. It is a high honor to be able to humbly present my paintings before the University visitors, students and staff, and I am leaning toward a theme of "cowboy art" (which obviously won't be too hard to assemble!)
This painting was done with a very limited palette (yellow, red, black and white) that some call a "Zorn Palette" after the Swedish artist, Anders Zorn. Limiting the palette to just a few colors allows for color harmony and is next to impossible to screw up! I don't usually use black ever, but here it works for me...
I will have to custom frame this piece, too - it started off as a 12X12, but I left too much space over the cowboy's head and so removed an inch. I think I may epoxy it and free-float it over a piece of mesquite...decisions decisions...

Psalm 9:8.
He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity.

If you are interested in this painting, click here to send me an email. I accept checks and Paypal. I can also arrange LAYAWAY. To view my latest paintings on Daily Painters go HERE. To view larger paintings, go to my Website HERE. To view a wealth of OTHER Texas Artists, enjoy THIS site!

Got Your Back

 20 X 40 Oil on Stretched Canvas

Contact Artist for Availability

Every year a local rancher friend holds a "calf working" where he hires cowboys for the whole day to rope, brand, castrate and vaccinate his calves. They have to start early to get the whole herd done and he generously feeds the cowboys breakfast and lunch. The event evolved into an opportunity for grandkids to participate in the event (the kids get to practice roping, brand and give shots!) and some local neighbors and fellow rancher friends are invited, too. I was first invited several years ago to take photographs (you bet!). This April will be my 4th year and I am looking forward to it.
I really enjoy visiting with the cowboys - who are the last of their kind. Not too many guys can actually make a living at their trade. Like farming, the weather often dictates whether you can work or not, and most often bad weather DOESN'T interrupt plans - the show must go on, because other ranchers already have their dates scheduled and cannot be put off.
So April 9 is this year's "Calf Working" - rain or shine. I have frozen and sweated in April in Texas...and I'll be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at us. Never a dull moment in that month!
Deuteronomy 32:2
Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.


If you are interested in this painting, click here to send me an email. I accept checks and Paypal. I can also arrange LAYAWAY. To view my latest paintings on Daily Painters go HERE. To view larger paintings, go to my Website HERE. To view a wealth of OTHER Texas Artists, enjoy THIS site!