The sweltering dry heat, the swirling dust, the cowboys, horses, bulls, steers, calves, rodeo clowns, all the fast-paced jam-packed excitement!  I was lucky enough to photograph three days of this year's Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, again from the "pit" (think baseball game dugout).  At dirt level, it is any photographer's dream-place to catch the action, but from that vantage point, the ART was all I could think of each and every time a horse flew by us or a cowboy skillfully leaned on to his steer to wrestle him down to the ground in record time.  Who cared about the 100+ temps and dusty camera lens!!

 

This year's Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo did not disappoint....okay, it never does.  The world's largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration IS the "Daddy of em all."  And, after a few years of showing my art at the annual invitational that coincides with the rodeo and photographing the event, I was once again lucky to capture shots that will make it into my art.  Currently, I am working on a new 22"x26" on paper, my first bull-riding work, and believe it depicts all the essence of this dangerous 8-second sport.  Still in the beginning stages and slow going, but that's what I love about my brand of pyrography....I keep the heat low and burn slow.  That way it will have great detail, all while putting my own spin on a lifelike yet contemporary style.  Like its contemporaries, this piece will include acrylic paints to complement the pyrography and will have the look and feel of this thrilling ride.  Look for this piece to be completed in just several weeks.

 

 

 

 

 

Once the burn and detail is established, I take out my acrylic paints and add color that will enhance the piece.  In this case, the chaps, jeans, dirt, dust and sky were added to complete the scene.   I so enjoyed working on this piece.

 

"Making it Matter"  22" x 26" pyrography and acrylic on paper