Jack Swanson | Making of a Cow Horse

A favorite of ours, this giclee print by Jack Swanson shows the Vaquero in action against a backdrop of a beautifully painted grasslands and cloudy sky. About this painting artist Jack Swanson writes: "Long ago, I looked at a painting by a prominent western artist and the horse was working the cow completely wrong. I remembered the strong sarcasm of the old vaquero & 'do that again and pack up your bedroll.' Also another time that I was told 'I'll whip you with my romal.' This kind of lesson tends to stay with you."

"So, western art students, learn to paint things right is a never ending process of learning, because your painting should not only be a framework of art, but also accurate for future generations to learn from and say, 'That's the way they did it. That artist knew his rigging.' Not just a pretty work of art."

"Sometimes you wish you never sold a painting, and this is one of them. Finances force you to do things to keep afloat. I've sold many a horse and lay there all night figuring how I could get him back & money wasn't that important. This elderly rider shows some lean Spanish blood & he's pulling the horse over to the cow with a direct rein, plus neck reining on the near rein. It will take a lot of luck to get this cow/calf back without help. This young hackamore horse shows a lot of 'cow.' However, a young horse should not be asked to do too much to frustrate him."

• 33 x 22½ inches
• Giclee on Archival Art Paper