Walnut Ink on Canvas

30” x 40”

Walnut Ink handmade by the artist from walnuts gathered on family land.

Custom-framed with reclaimed wood from the artist’s home, stained in the same ink used in the painting.

“The Answer’s No” is a raw and poignant reflection on the heartbreak that so often underpins life on a ranch. The calf, with its wide, unguarded gaze, stands as a symbol of innocence and love — qualities that inevitably clash with the harsh demands of survival and sustainability in the agricultural world.

In this moment, the viewer is confronted with the reality that even the most beloved creatures cannot be spared when financial necessity looms. The title speaks to the internal conflict of saying no — not out of choice or desire, but out of obligation. It’s a protest whispered into the vastness of the prairie, echoing the fragility of life and the impossible decisions woven into its fabric.

Created in homemade walnut ink, the painting itself is steeped in the land. Every brushstroke ties the subject back to its roots, emphasizing the tension between nurturing life and letting it go. Through this piece, I hope to evoke not just a visceral empathy for this calf, but also a broader reckoning with the sacrifices a rancher must make and the value we place on their role in feeding America.

Includes certificate of authenticity. Shipping included.

Gallery debut at Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum “Western Spirit Art Show & Sale” 2024