Cowboy c. 1950s - 1960s

Here we have Jack Davis's 'Cowboy', a drawing with pen and ink, possibly with some watercolour washes. I like the way Davis allows the ink line to confidently describe the shapes. It’s a great example of how a cartoonist can create an entire world with just a few strokes! The colour palette is restricted, mostly browns and oranges for the cowboy and his horse, with touches of green and grey for the details. Davis doesn’t try to hide the process. You can see the lines and textures of the paper. It’s as if the drawing is still alive and breathing. Look closely at the way he draws the horse’s legs, bending at impossible angles. It gives the image a sense of energy and movement. This piece reminds me of the work of Basil Wolverton, another cartoonist who embraced exaggeration and absurdity. Both artists seem to suggest that art is an ongoing conversation, a playful exchange of ideas across time.