When the Trail Was Long Between Camps 1901

Charles M. Russell made this watercolor, When the Trail Was Long Between Camps, with a real mastery of the form; it’s clear he knew his stuff. The colors are muted, like a memory, and the brushstrokes are so loose, the whole scene shimmers. Look at the way he layers the paint, especially in the foreground. It’s thin, transparent, but full of texture. You can almost feel the grit of the earth. This feels like the lived experience of the artist. The way the land seems to stretch on forever, fading into the horizon. It feels like you can imagine yourself as a horse trekking the long trail. The small, vibrant touches of reds and yellows in the figures’ clothing are like sparks of life in a vast landscape. It reminds me a little of Arthur Dove, who was also trying to capture something essential about the American landscape. Both artists were trying to paint what it felt like to experience a specific place. It's a reminder that art doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. It’s about creating a space for feeling and for thought.