I had two antelope painted when I went to bed last night and all I could think about was getting that third one done. This morning, I got up early and painted that last antelope. Crazy. I'm so excited how the animals turned out and this photo doesn't really do it justice. There is a lot of dramatic light. It is a large 22X28 painting and I have plans for this one to go to Jackson Hole (I hope!).

Like I've said before, pronghorn antelope are my favorite American animal and after returning from Montana and Wyoming, I had more photos to reference. There were several more antelope in the photo but I didn't want to paint a whole herd so I chose these three. The original photo is out of focus, but still usable for a painting reference.
I am entertaining ideas for the title, so please give it your best shot. I thought of: Scent of Man, Prairie--Party of Three, On the Lone Prairie, Skedadle, Vamonos.
Faye Taylor - Western Artist

Here's the finished work. Loved doing the water splash. I haven't done that before, but it was a ball!

Now, you can see there's no big panorama behind him. Part of the reason for this is that I wanted a dark background behind him to make him stand out. I haven't done all that I will do on my horse and rider, but they are pretty close to done. You'll have to wait until next session to see if he's running in a field or maybe it's...

All you can see is my horse and rider with no idea about the rest of the painting. Is he running in a field of grass with a big distant background of rolling hills and sky? Any skilled artist can paint a subject technically correct, but what really gives it the "Wow" factor is how the light, composition, and values of the surroundings can take an ordinary painting from technically correct to "got your heart." Stay tuned for the next session to see the beginning of the "Wow."

     
Here's the completed painting. I love the anticipation of only a couple more steps and they're in the water. I also like the feeling that they are the only ones there in this quiet wilderness.
                                                                Faye Taylor - Western Artist

I did a lot of work on the background, sky and large tree, but the background still needs some more work. I'm hoping to get this one done tomorrow or Saturday. It all feels very good to me. This one is a 16X20 and will be $1440.
                                                               Faye Taylor - Western Artist

    
It always amazing what a photo of my painting can tell me. It's like stepping back. This painting has a real good feel to me. Neither the horse nor rider seem to be the least bit hesitant to take the plunge into what is likely very cold water. Hmmm...makes you wonder if someone was after them. Of course, it still has a long way to go, but it's coming along well.
                                                       Faye Taylor - Western Artist

      
I just had to get my subject in before I could force myself to stop. Of course I'm not completely finished with him but you have a sense of him. This horse and rider are about to plunge into the river and there will be dust and grasses obscuring the belly of the horse.
                                                                  Faye Taylor - Western Artist

This isn't quite finished, but there isn't much more to do...a little work on the apron and some highlights in the shirt and it will be done. You'll have to check my website in a week or two once I get it scanned in. I'm very pleased with this one.

Also wanted to remind you all that I am getting ready to head out to Montana to the CM Russell auction where I have a piece being auctioned. I'm also planning to hit some galleries on the trip so hopefully I'll pick up a gallery. I'm still hoping to crank out another painting next week, but that will be challenging...we'll see.
                                                             Faye Taylor - Western Artist

I did something really weird--I started with the face and I'm thrilled how it came out! Usually I put in the darks first, but his face is really the focal point and I just changed my approach. I don't always follow the rules. In my photo he was wearing a khaki colored hat and shirt, but that is just too...not me, so I gave him this blazing red shirt instead. I didn't paint Tues. or Wed. because of other obligations, so I was so happy to spend a little time in my studio today. This piece is 24X18, so midsized. It will be priced at $1944.
                                                             Faye Taylor - Western Artist

This one is a little different for me, because he's not the working cowboy that I usually paint, but he certainly is a key part of the lifestyle. He is actually a local guy and he is stretching a piece of rawhide over the saddle horn of his saddle tree, the form he uses for making saddles. It's a little hard to see, but he has a handlebar waxed mustache.
                                                              Faye Taylor - Western Artist