Cowboy at Sunset 2014

Mark Maggiori, who was born in 1977, painted "Cowboy at Sunset" with what seems like oil paint, layering the colors to create a warm, dusky atmosphere. The materiality of the paint is striking, especially the way Maggiori uses thin washes of color to build up the sky. Look at the brushwork on the cowboy's vest, how the texture almost vibrates with a life of its own. Then your eye sweeps over to the horse, the way it is positioned, facing away, it’s not just a horse; it’s a symbol of the journey, the unknown, of moving away. It reminds me of those times when painting feels like navigating a landscape, each stroke a step into the wilderness. This piece shares with, say, a Frederic Remington painting a romantic vision of the West, yet Maggiori brings a contemporary eye to a traditional subject. Ultimately, this painting invites us to wander, to reflect, and to appreciate the myriad ways art can help us see and feel the world around us.