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This August, I’m honored to have my painting The Great Escape featured in the Women’s Work exhibition at the A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art. This 30x40” poured watercolor piece is more than a painting—it's the result of an unforgettable day spent at 6X Ranch in Mackay, Idaho, with ranch manager Tayler Teichert.

The story behind the painting began with an unexpected and sobering moment. Shortly after I arrived, Tayler and one of her ranch hands saved the life of a mother cow who had lost her calf. The ranch hand had found her in distress and brought her to the corral, where he and Tayler addressed a prolapse and carefully sewed her up. It was a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the compassion and toughness required in ranch life. While I chose not to paint that scene for this exhibit, I haven’t ruled it out for the future—it’s a story that deserves to be told.

The rest of the day was filled with beauty and awe. Tayler gave me a full tour of the ranch, nestled between two stunning mountain ranges. It was unusually warm for March, and the landscape teemed with life—grazing cattle, newborn calves, elk, deer, even a bald eagle and cranes soaring overhead. The peace of the land contrasted with the grit of the work, and that balance stayed with me.

Later, Tayler brought me to the corrals and the alleyway where branding takes place. As I photographed her at work—calm, focused, rope in hand—I knew this was the story I wanted to paint. Tayler is a skilled roper and rodeo competitor, and I wanted to show her doing what she does best. One calf, kicking up dust in a burst of defiance, became the focal point of the scene.

What made this collaboration even more meaningful is that Tayler is the great-granddaughter of one of my favorite Western artists—Minerva Teichert. Minerva, a fiercely independent and prolific painter, often depicted scenes of pioneer life, scripture, and the American West at a time when few women were recognized for such work. She once famously said, “I must paint.” It gave me chills to think I was painting her great-granddaughter, continuing that legacy of storytelling through Western art and strong women.

After composing the image using multiple photos, I painted (or rather, poured) a smaller study to explore my color choices and test the placement of values. This gave me confidence and clarity before committing to the large final piece.

Then I transferred the full composition onto a 30x40” sheet of watercolor paper from a roll. I painted the sky first with a brush, allowing soft, shifting clouds to form over the peaks—and then began the process of pouring color. Pouring is a patient, layered process that builds depth and vibrancy over time. With each pour and masking stage, the story came more and more to life.

After the final pour and the big reveal, I used a brush to refine details—especially Tayler’s face—and bring harmony and cohesion to the painting.

For those who are paid members of my Patreon#mce_temp_url#, I’ve included photos showing the progression of the work—from the initial drawing, to the early pours, to the smaller study and final painting. It’s a visual record of a process that is both methodical and full of wild surprises, much like the ranch life it aims to honor.

The Great Escape captures a fleeting moment during spring branding—a young calf making a break for it, Tayler in pursuit, and the rugged Idaho mountains standing witness. But more than that, it celebrates the strength, skill, and grace of women whose work is essential to the fabric of the West.

I hope you’ll join me in celebrating this piece and the incredible women behind it when the Women’s Work exhibition opens this August at the A.R. Mitchell Museum.

To join my Patreon and get access to the images and more, please click here. #mce_temp_url#