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A horse that is used to "pick up" cowboys at the rodeo is very well mannered and knows his job inside out. He has to remain calm in exciting circumstances as he and his rider get in the middle of wild broncs to insure the safety of the bronc rider. I never tire of watching a pick-up horse and rider do their job at rodeos as there is always great action to watch. I find it very inspiring as far as artwork goes. Here is a calm moment before the storm as the wise cow pony checks out his surroundings and waits for a cue. 

The Quick Draw and Auction was a record success at the Bucking Horse Sale in Miles City! There were more than 20 nervous artists creating paintings, sculptures and pottery in just 3o minutes with no presketching allowed. It was a great turnout and the crowd was ready to bid. The total amount raised was over $11,000 which is a record, as was the average price per piece. I was thrilled to watch as two people bid against each other on my pastel, "Capture", which sold at $1750, the top selling lot of the day! I did not get a photo of the final artwork, but here is a similar painting, "Picking Up the Buckskin." It was the same subject of the pickup man and bronc, only coming straight at you so I only had to contend with the front image. Having 30 minutes to work with, the actual quick draw was very loose with just suggestions of detail, but this gives you an idea. 

I have been doing this Quick Draw at Miles City for almost 20 years!(geez I'm getting old!) but I LOVE the Waterworks Art Museum which is what the fundraiser is for. Formerly known as the Custer County Art Center, I like to say it is a shining gem on the prairie. Now hip and urban in feel, it was an old city water plant transformed into a very unique art museum, using the large cement holding tanks as the art galleries. Don't miss it if you are ever in southeastern Montana.  

I love watching the pickup men at a rodeo - those guys have a lot of work to do and in a timely manner if the rodeo is to go on. They see alot of action! I also like to wonder what the horses think of each other - the wise, well-behaved one doing his job and the wild rebel he is chasing down.