Seeking the Trail (detail) 1901

Charles M. Russell made this painting, "Seeking the Trail," capturing a moment with oils on canvas, though the specific date remains a mystery. Look at how Russell blends his colors; it's all about capturing light and motion. The way he renders the landscape feels both expansive and intimate. Up close, you can see how the browns and blues of the earth bleed into the pink and yellow of the sky. This gives the painting a dreamlike quality. Note the details on the lead horse; the subtle grays and whites suggest movement and muscle. Then, look at the land around the horses hooves, rendered with quick, confident strokes. The physicality of the medium is clear - you can see the texture of the brushstrokes, the way the paint is layered to create depth and dimension. Russell’s work reminds me a little of Frederic Remington. Both artists were drawn to the mythology of the West. But where Remington felt more academic, Russell has a looser, more painterly touch. It’s like he's inviting us to imagine the stories behind the landscape.