The Remuda 2015

Mark Maggiori’s "The Remuda" is a painting that wrangles up the Old West in a way that feels both familiar and, somehow, a little dreamy. Look at how he handles the light, drenching those red rocks and kicking up dust, it's all about the process. The texture here is key; you can almost feel the grit of the desert and the smooth muscle of the horses. Notice the way Maggiori uses thick paint to build up the landscape, those brushstrokes are like little canyons themselves, echoing the vastness of the scene. There's a spot on the lead horse where the light catches just right, a dab of pure white that makes the whole painting gallop forward. This painting reminds me of some of Maynard Dixon's Western landscapes, but with a contemporary twist. It is a reminder that art is not just about what you see, but how it makes you feel, and maybe even how it makes you want to ride off into the sunset.