The Intruder

I had a good time painting this, as I wondered just who the intruder really is. Is it the car, the buffalo, the dog, the boy or all of them?

What is the boy worried about… the car that obviously is not his own, but that he’s apparently allowed to drive, his faithful companion, the dog or his own safety?

We see a car broken down from running through the stream (wet spark plugs?) and the boy in front, perhaps cranking the motor, when the buffalo arrives.

The dog is attempting to protect the boy, while the boy doesn’t know what to do and just wants both the dog and the buffalo to cool it. What happens next is anyone’s guess.

The Intruder
Gale F. Trapp, 2013
Acrylic on board 12×16

The Newborn

The Newborn
Gale F. Trapp, 2012

It’s spring and the newborns are out. At one time, this scene would have been common throughout the Western plains, one more turn in the cycle of life.

And then came the near extinction of the buffalo, and this scene became less common; a cause for celebration as conservationists, ranchers and others worked to preserve the buffalo herds.

I love that this image could be one from the past, as well as the present, as buffalo herds grow and once again roam the prairie. Nature doing what nature does.

A Turn for the Worse

In every aspect of life, there are moments when things go wrong. This painting reflects one of those moments.

Rider and horse are one, or are they? The horse senses danger and is shying away. The rider, too involved in the hunt, senses no such danger. Will this be a turn for the worse?

The Buffalo are intent on escape, but turn into each other. Will they avoid a crash? Or, will they end up in a crumpled heap, easy prey for those in the chase?

You decide.

A Turn for the Worse

In either case, a turn is happening.

A Turn for the Worse
Gale F. Trapp, 2010
Acrylic on hardboard, 16×20″