#western art

[mediocreslop]

Symbiosis (2017) by Mark Maggiori

[scribblez09]

"Peter Calms Blackjack"

Pencil on 11" x 14" paper

"He looks awful beat up, doesn't he?" Peter commented. "That bloody idiot rode him too hard."

Charles nodded. "Looks like he almost ruined him." He glanced over at his sibling as he took a cautious step forward. "Peter, don't! He'll strike out." He shot out a hand to pull him back.

Peter waved his hand gently away as he slowly walked forward, his eyes fixed on the stallion. The horse bobbed his head and flattened his ears against his head, barring his teeth and stomping the floor with his front hooves. He continued swishing his long, black tail.

"Sssshhhh, you black beauty," Peter cooed. "Easy now."

Quietly, he began to hum a nameless tune, one that started with no rhythm or reason but quickly transformed into one of his favorite hymnals. As he hummed the song, the horse pricked his ears at the soothing sound. Peter stepped cautiously forward, slowly raising a hand as he transitioned from humming to singing in a soft tenor.

"'Be still my soul! the Lord is on the side; Bear patiently the cross of grief or person.'"

The stallion's labored breathing began to slow; the whites of his eyes began to disappear.

"'Leave to the Good to order and provide, In every change He faithful will remain.'"

Charles watched with growing amazement as the stallion stood still and quiet, even as Peter came closer and placed a soothing hand on his thick neck.

"'Be still my soul thy best, thy heav'nly friend; Thru' thorny ways leads to a joyful end.'"

He continued to sing to the creature, slowly stroking his lathered neck and long, black mane. Slowly, the horse lowered his proud head, his tail hung still and low, and his eyes softened. Peter sang the entirety of the song, and when he was finished, the stallion, Charles, and Dave stood transfixed and quiet.

"Well, I'll be damned," Dave uttered, his hands on his hips as he came to stand beside Charles. He shook his head in disbelief. "Blackjack has never let any of my stable hands touch him. I've always had to deal with him. You've got a way with horses, kid."

[scribblez09]

Peter Conway - Character Study 2

Pencil on 11" x 14" paper

[tumblewheel]

[spacenoirdetective]

Mort Engle, cover art for "The Guns of Witchwater" by Colby Wolford, 1956

[spacenoirdetective]

Kirk Wilson, covers for "Ranch Romances", 1952 - 1955

[spacenoirdetective]

Charles Dye, covers for "Adventure" magazine, 1944 - 1950

[spacenoirdetective]

Bill Dodge, "Line Riders Revenge"