Keep it Tight

SOLD to a collector in North Carolina

The horse is doing his job - keeping the rope taunt - while the cowboy does his. A hard job made easier with a good horse. I almost painted the horse's tail unbraided, but I decided to leave it exactly as I saw it. I am willing to bet that this cowboy DIDN'T braid it, either! What are the odds that his girlfriend keeps this animal all trimmed and combed? Perhaps I should re-title this painting "Whose Horse Is It Anyway???"
I also photographed this painting in a frame that I thought makes it look really good. I am taking a number of paintings to 3 different galleries the end of March and many of the paintings I have on my blog and in Daily Painters will be moving and no longer available through me. What does not sell in the next 4 weeks, can only be purchased through my galleries.
Proverbs 12:10
A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal.

Media: oil on canvas board
Size: 14 in X 11 in (35.6 cm X 27.9 cm)
Price: $200 includes shipping and insurance to U.S.

How to Purchase:SOLD

Or, send me an email

Roper 1 - Timing is Everything

6 X 8 Oil on gessoed masonite
Check with me for availability

There must have been 100 competitors at the roping I attended Sunday afternoon. I was there 2 hours and witnessed at least 30 of them compete. One right after the other. Not many of them missed their mark, either - and no one got hurt, despite the fast action and the explosive way the cowboys must dismount their horses and run to the calves. Like many events in life, timing is everything - the toss of the rope, how it settles precisely over the calf's head, the dismount at the exact moment the horse is stopping, the sprint to the calf, the tying of the feet...all makes a 5 second difference between a winning time (about 7 seconds) and a good, but losing time (12 seconds).
From those that don't win, you don't witness any theatrics, either. The cowboys simply dust themselves off, pat their horses in thanks for their efforts, remount, coil their rope and start thinking about the next opportunity.
Galatians 1:10
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

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send me an email

BIG HALF PRICE SALE

8 X 10 Oil on Canvas $100

This is one of my teen horse back riding friends. She saved up her own money to purchase this horse and now she's teaching him to carry a flag so she can ride him in the Grand Entry at local rodeos. Most rodeos have a tradition of beginning every competition with a Grand Entry - all the riders that are participating in that day's events ride in a two long winding lines each led by a rider carrying a flag - a US flag and a Texas flag. The lines weave around the arena and sometimes even cross one another - it can get quite elaborate. The lead rider has to have a competent horse that will allow his rider to carry the huge, flapping, flag and well as tolerate a bunch of riders following directly behind. This horse still isn't sure of what's being asked of him (see his ears?), but he trusts his rider and I believe will be just fine.

Matthew 16:23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

View From the Top

I am on vacation and revisiting old paintings that I have SOLD.

My fellow artist friend, Laurie, amazes me in her commitment – to painting, to her family, to her God (he’s mine, too, by the way – and yours). She paints a painting every day and posts to her blog and accomplishes all the myriad of things necessary to keep a family running. She also teaches art and guitar and piano (and recently moved). And as busy as she is, she still welcomes me and offers to help me in my desire to become more like her. Mike and I participated in a study of the religions of the world recently. It was conducted by our pastor and we will investigated Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism. The Methodist church does not hold an exclusionary belief that only Methodists are going to Heaven – in fact, they don’t believe that Christians know the only path. They believe that God and the desire to know Him is in all of us and just because one has not had the opportunity to know Him, that does not exclude a person from eternal life with the Father. Only God knows what is in your heart and only He can judge you. As the Lord said in Jeremiah 29:13 – You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Merry Christmas!

Mugging - Two Against One

In rodeo "lingo" a mugging is an event where a calf is turned loose in an arena and given a head start before two cowboys chase after him on horseback. One cowboy ropes the calf and the other throws and ties him up. After tying, the calf has to remain down for a specified amount of time for the run to count. Fastest time wins. It's a combination of calf roping and team roping and is a whole lot of fun to watch - especially in a big arena with a fast, dodging calf! I have seen horses throw their rider and the cowboys take off on foot to get the calf. I have seen calves REFUSE to lay down. And I have seen skillful, successful runs like this one. Nobody lost their hat and the calf was tied in record time.
This 8 X 10 oil on canvas can be purchased directly from me for $100. It has painted sides and can be hung without a frame.
Ecclesiastes 3:1[ A Time for Everything ] There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven

Where's His Hat?

I have been known to get on some unsafe horses in my more youthful, reckless past. I don't anymore. But I still enjoy watching others less cautious than I. I don't like to see them get hurt, though, but it does happen. The best bucking horse rides are those where the cowboy just loses his hat and maybe his seat but not his health.

This painting depicts how cowboys USED to ride saddle broncs - shirt, jeans, chaps - no helmet or flack jackets or any other protective gear.

This 8 X 6 oil on Masonite can be purchased for $50 directly from me.

Proverbs 15:30A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

Friends

My favorite things to paint are horses and cowboys. I have a photo album full of references, so continuing with my vow to paint 500 little paintings in a year, here's one of 3 from today. Cowboys warm their horses up before competitions and these two friends seemed quite content in one another's company. This little painting is available from me directly for $100 now or will be available online through eBay when it dries. dglincoln@embarqmail.net

Ecclesiastes 4:10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Rodeo Queen

While in Wyoming this past summer, we attended the Cody Rodeo. If you want a taste of good old Americana, a rodeo is the event to attend - especially when located in the heart of ranching country where life is still difficult if you want to stay close to the land.

An open air arena, steel and wood viewing stands, kids running free and safe and NO security guards posted at every gate. Talk about a step back in time!

The rodeo queen was darling and rode her horse with grace and skill before the event started. The Star Spangled Banner was sung by a crowd who, without exception, removed their hats and/or placed their right hand over their heart. And finally, a prayer was spoken to ask that all the participants and their loved ones remain safe during the competition and on their way home. Attend a rodeo and reconnect with your soul....

I will be out of town for several days - hopefully gathering more inspiration down in Texas Hill Country. This 8 X 10 painting will be posted on my eBay Auction site when I get back.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.

Rodeo Cowboy 1

I live in a part of Texas where there are real cowboys who actually making a living taking care of cattle and horses. There's not many of them left - and darn few young ones. Horses aren't broke the way they used to be, either. Cowboys didn't have the time (or patience) to gradually get a horse used to a saddle and then some weight , etc. They just cinched the tack on them, got on and hoped for the best. And some horses never like the notion of a man on his back - and thank goodness for that or we wouldn't have the saddle bronc competition in the PRCA! This painting was inspired from a bunch of photos I acquired from a friend whose family has been in the ranching and rodeo business for 3 generations in New Mexico. You can tell it's "old style" from the outfit the cowboy is wearing - simple chaps and no protective gear!!!

Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Balancing Act

Still trying new things here. I went to a painting workshop last summer, and a list of supplies included hog bristle brushes. I tried them then and hated them - I have always preferred sable brushes and just couldn't get use to the scratchy edges. But an artist I admire uses them and so I tried again recently - with better results - a couple little paintings first and a large one currently on the easel. The bristle brushes prevent me from concentrating too much on the subject details and focusing more on composition and color - something ALL artists should do.

This little painting shows the action and balance of horse and rider in a cutting competition and is available for purchase from me. dglincoln@embaqmail.com

Proverbs 16:11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making.

Little Boy on a Big Horse

This painting has an alternate title: "Up You Go". The child was a miniature of his daddy and he was some proud to be dressed like him AND riding a big horse! Sons idolize their fathers whether they are worthy or not. Most of the fathers I know are worthy - but I know a lot of cowboys, too!

Proverbs 4:1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

PJ and Me

SOLD

At first glance, this painting appears totally abstract - but there IS an image. Can you see it? I was sitting on a fence looking down at my horse, PJ, when I took the photo that inspired it. Now can you see it?

Things aren't always what we perceive them to be upon first viewing. I have come to call several people "friend" who at first meeting didn't seem to be "friendship material". Digging deeper is sometimes worth the effort....

Proverbs 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.

Halfway Caught

I go to a lot of rodeos both to watch and enjoy and to gather material for paintings. I am almost always guaranteed some great photos and ideas - especially when there are animals involved.

This calf was in the middle of a "mugging" - no someone wasn't trying to steal his wallet! Two cowboys were chasing him around an open arena - with one assigned to rope him and the other intent on grabbing him, throwing him to the ground and tying his feet. Not many more rules than that. Rope him however you can and get him to stay on the ground for a pre-determined length of time. All within 60 seconds or less.

Proverbs 15:17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.