Over the weekend, I visited a friends ranch in Pinon Canyon, in support of the Pinon Canyon Expansion Art Project.
Let's make one thing very clear; I support the way of life, the people and the land there and DO NOT SUPPORT THE PINON CANYON EXPANSION.
We met some amazing people and were invited to watch a branding get-together with dozens of neighboring cow folk. It was like a visit to the past and I felt very much at home. Should I have been born 100+ years ago?
The artists, including myself, took many photos of the day's events and people in them. For me, it was a unique position because of my knowledge of the activities, as well as knowing the cowboy who hosted us.

The first day, we traveled to a neighboring ranch and watched the cow folk flood in with trucks and trailers and horses. They mingled a bit and then silently broke off into groups, heading in several directions.
Our viewpoint allowed us to watch the herding, of the cattle, from afar. It was so incredible to watch this dance and they seemed to pull it off effortlessly.
When the cattle were brought in, the sorting began; mothers were reluctantly separated from calves and doused with ivermec (I'm guessing), as they ran them through the chute.
The babies were branded, marked, castrated, and inoculated. All the while, the cowboys were roping, riding, wrestling and laughing. It was so incredible to watch this movement, like a well oiled machine- so rhythmic and smooth.
Afterward, the cattle were returned to their pastures and parents and everyone came to the ranch house for some food and beer.
We even enjoyed the talent of a cowboy band, who sang heartfelt songs of how their way of life and lands are disappearing, and the hand that we all have in that. I hope to find their CD.
The camaraderie and the whole feeling of the group was so intensely intertwined.
For me, the experience was mixed. I felt torn between the artists and the cow folk; My upbringing was very rural and I've experienced plenty with cows and horses (though no where near their experience). Often, I was asked about why or what or when or how. It was an interesting position to be in and I quickly realized that I miss this part of my life.

I have been 'urbanized'! Yikes! Although I have horses and we eat our own beef, much of my life has changed in an effort to fit in, in the city, and succeed at my art. My clothes, my shoes, even my daily routine have all changed so much.
This experience has prompted me to curse myself and get back to, what I feel are, my roots.

If I get across one message here, it is that we should all appreciate the hardworking people (damn that is an understatement) that own, work and provide beef for our country, and say 'NO' to the expansion projects across the US.
 Their way of life is changing fast and it is no one's right to push their demise- NO ONE should have to endure what they have. As the band sang in one of their songs, "Like the Native Americans that walked the land before us", they are disappearing. I'm embarrassed by what our government is doing, what WE are doing.

I could go on about this subject, and the experience that I had at Pinon Canyon, for much longer than you'd be willing to read, so I'll end this on a positive note...
Thank you, to all the Cowboys & Cowgirls of Pinon Canyon, for allowing us to take part in your world and appreciate everything that you do and are doing.

To Grady- thank you for this opportunity and for being a part of something much larger than us all. You truly are a diamond in the rough. I can't say enough about it.
 
If there is ever anything I can do to support your way of life, please let me know. In the meantime, I'm going to continue painting the way of life that I'll always appreciate, and remind the public that you're all still here.

Happy Trails