Nighthawk (2020) Original Oil Painting by Richard K. Jolley

Cowboys who had the night watch on a cattle drive were called "Nighthawks". This is the last few moments before the sun sets.

The artwork depicts a cowboy mounted on a horse. The cowboy, dressed in traditional Western attire with a wide-brimmed hat, looks calmly over an expanse. He's holding what appears to be a lasso loosely in his right hand. The horse is rendered with rich, dark tones, contrasting with the cowboy's lighter clothing. Beneath them, the ground is covered with brush and plants indicative of a plain or prairie.

In the background, a herd of cattle stands quietly. The horizon is dominated by a striking sunset, with a gradient of warm reds and oranges melting into a subdued blue sky above. The atmospheric effects of the sunset bathing the entire scene in a rich, orange glow evoke a serene but vibrant end to the day on the range. The texture and the brushwork are visible in this image, revealing an impressionistic influence with the painterly depiction of light and shadow. The scene encapsulates the romantic and rugged essence of the American West.

Materials used:

oil paint

Details:

• Oil painting on Canvas
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 45.72 x 35.56 x 1.91cm (unframed) / 45.72 x 35.56cm (actual image size)
• Signed on the front
• Style: Impressionistic
• Subject: People and portraits