This was the first piece of a new collection for me. This is Alan Baker of Cody, Wyoming in character as a middle-aged, William "Buffalo Bill" Cody. The photo reference was taken by my wife, Leigh, when we were in Cody, WY September of 2004. This study was the first of many photos that Alan so graciously let us capture. The greatest thing about this photo, it was totally "candid." We stepped onto the porch of Buffalo Bill's historical hotel, "The Irma," named for his daughter. We first saw Alan waiting patiently for his turn to play his part in an "Old West" re- enactment when Leigh snapped this fantastic milli-second in time. The original photo can be seen on Leigh's ArtWanted site.

I want to state right here and now, this is NOT a photo manipulation in any way, shape, or form. This is a painting, totally brush-stroked to a Masonite, Gesso covered board called "Claybord" made by Ampersand. The overall size of this painting is 16" x 20," painted to the finished edges. The medium is acrylics, laid down in thick layers. There are very few washes. The few there are upon a thick layer of color.

I want to say also that I am being pressured into going the route of "full color." Not that there is a single person holding a "proverbial gun" to my head, but this is something I must do if I ever want to be recognized in the field of "Western Art." So after not laying acrylics to board since 1971 in art school, this is my first attempt in 34 years. I dislike remembering how to do anything after such a long time and don't give me that old crap of, "It's like riding a bicycle." It's not!

My main objective here is that I want to hang with the "greats" in the Buffalo Bill Historical Center and "the" gallery of all Western Galleries, "The Big Horn Gallery," both in Cody, Wyoming. I know now I will never get into either no matter how good my graphites are. Most everyone here is well aware of this. Maybe later my pencils will sell, for I am still a "pencil artist" by heart, but if I need to do color, I WILL paint, no questions asked!