Cutting Through Cold Water 2016

Mark Maggiori painted ‘Cutting Through Cold Water’ with oils on canvas to create this scene. The painting captures a fleeting moment – a cowboy and his horse charging through the water, perhaps on an important mission or maybe just enjoying a swim on a hot day. I can imagine Maggiori layering the paint, building up the textures of the water and the horse’s glossy coat. Look at how the light catches the droplets flying off the horse's hooves; you can almost feel the spray on your face. The cool blues of the water contrast with the warm reds and browns of the rider's clothes and tack. There's a sense of immediacy and vitality in the brushstrokes. The way he suggests movement with just a few carefully placed strokes reminds me of other painters who captured scenes of everyday life. It feels like a moment frozen in time, a testament to the enduring spirit of the American West.