Steer Wrestling

Rodeos are sporting events dedicated to exhibiting the skills of the American cowboy. The photo I worked from was taken at a professional rodeo in Apache Junction, AZ. (Photo credit: Richard Dyer)

I painted this piece on site at the Apache Junction Rodeo Grounds over a three-day period. Live painting is a very enjoyable experience for me as I like to interact with people and can see their reaction to my work as it is being produced. If you have never been to a rodeo you have not experienced the excitement, exuberance, and spontaneity of this truly Western American sport. It is my hope this piece will let you do so. With my brush stroke style in this piece I tried to capture the essence of the tension, fear and danger that riders feel as they jump off a steed at a high lope and grab another fast-moving animal and wrestle it to the ground. The photo was a great reference to start this work from. And painting the piece onsite and being a part of the fervor and flavor of the event helped my creative spirit achieve what I was trying to portray. I sold the original shortly after the event to someone who had seen me working on it at the rodeo.

Painting Name: Steer Wrestling

Medium: Acrylic paint on canvas

Size of original work:  24” x 48”

Original piece is sold.

Genre: Western Lifestyle, Cowboy

Reproduction sizes available: 24” x 48” and 12” x 24” on canvas.  12” x 24” only on metal