One subject I enjoy painting that has nothing to do with my own life is rodeo. Rodeo covers all my visual interests: colorful costumes, tons of animals, lots of action, and diverse people in the audience and events, making the whole thing a great subject to explore.

My recent favorite event is The Elgin Stampede held in Eastern Oregon every July. I like it because you get to see a little bit of everything in one show. Broncs, bulls, barrel racing, team roping, and a synchronized team riding circles through each other on horseback at full speed to name a few.

Rodeo has a long history, and you don’t have to be Western to enjoy it. It’s a sport with sporadic comedy breaks from clowns. The people watching is top-notch.

When I paint from the reference photos I collect at shows, the results are sometimes very obviously rodeo-themed. Including background signage is a clue; also, the bull and bronc riders wearing flamboyant, neon-colored clothing are very much a part of the rodeo.

However, if those graphic elements are omitted from the composition, the painting appears more natural. Someone somewhere is probably roping a cow on a ranch as you read this post, and they’re wearing their everyday normal clothes to do it in.

I like the interactions between the people and animals. In some events, the athlete and their horse are in perfect collaboration. They each seem to know and anticipate what the other needs or will do next.

Other times, the person and animal are at odds, fighting against each other’s goals. I enjoy experimenting with how much to define the features of the animals or people. Who’s going to stand out more: the rider or the horse, bull, or steer? Who’s taking the lead in the moment?