There is a sacred kind of quiet that you can only find in the middle of a creek, horseback, on a Sunday morning. It’s the time when the rest of the world seems to pause, and the only sounds are the rhythmic splash of water against stones and the steady breathing of your horse. I painted Sunday Morning (20x24, Acrylic) in early 2024 to capture that specific frequency of peace. In the West, our "church" isn't always found inside four walls—often, it’s found in the golden light

There is a specific kind of silence that falls over a farm in late October. The frantic energy of the growing season has passed, the air has turned sharp, and everything slows down to the pace of a deep breath. I painted Autumn's Harvest (20x20, Acrylic) during the tail end of 2023 to capture that exact moment of stillness. I wanted to focus on the textures that make this season feel so grounded—the rough weave of the wicker baskets, the heavy weight of the heirloom pumpkins,

9x9 Oil on Upcycled Deschutes Brewery Packaging Original Oil Painting | Handmade Frame There’s something about the spirit of the West that is both rugged and resourceful. I painted this majestic bull elk in oils directly onto a Black Butte Porter 6-pack case, letting the iconic silhouette of the Central Oregon mountains serve as his backdrop. The bugling elk represents the raw, untamed energy of the wilderness, and by placing him over this familiar piece of Western culture, I

Some characters don’t fade. Even years after you’ve watched (or read) Lonesome Dove, Gus McCray has a way of staying with you—equal parts grit and tenderness, humor and heartbreak. I’ve always loved that blend: the strength without the hard edges, the courage that still makes room for softness. That’s what pulled me toward painting him. This is an 11x14 oil painting on stretched canvas, finished and set into a homemade frame. Why Gus McCray? I didn’t set out to paint “a cowbo

Artist: Lisena Elixavide | Ranchland Reflections Art Studio Medium: Oil on Stretched Canvas (8x10) Frame: Custom Handmade Wood Frame Reflections: This piece was born from a moment of seeking the deep, quiet grounding of the mountain landscape. I wanted to capture the contrast between the steady, ancient peaks and the constant, shifting movement of the water—a reminder that even in transition, we can find our center. The frame was handmade in my studio to match the rugged, hon

There is a specific kind of harmony required to move a herd of cattle across the ranch. It’s a dance of non-verbal cues, shared focus, and an absolute reliance on the animal beneath you. In the Western world, we call it the "partnership." When I painted "Sort 'em Out" back in 2022, I wanted to capture the pure joy found in that honest labor. As a self-taught realist, this piece was a significant milestone for me—a moment where I began to truly understand how to translate the

I think there’s a common myth that painting is "easy"—that we just sit down and magic happens. But the truth is, a piece like this 9x12 mother and foal entitled "First Steps," started long before the horses ever appeared. For this one, I wanted to step away from canvas and return to my roots in wood. I spent hours sanding this panel to get a finish as smooth as glass, then gessoed and prepped it specifically to hold the weight of acrylic. The Secret Layer: You’ll see in the p

There is a specific vibration in the air just before a horse breaks into a run. It’s a moment of penned-up energy—a coiled spring of power that exists in the heartbeat between stillness and motion. When I painted "Prairie Dancer," I wasn't just trying to capture the likeness of a horse; I was trying to capture that feeling of power before flight. It’s the joy of being truly alive, the electricity of a body ready to speed across the prairie ahead of an upcoming storm. As a rea

Creativity is not a destination but a continuous journey that shapes how artists see the world and express themselves. Every artistic journey is unique, filled with moments of discovery, challenge, and growth. For the past few weeks this deep feeling, this NEED to elevate my artwork to the next level has been growing. For that reason I invested in myself by joining the Tisch Academy. I'm now learning about things that I missed out on by being a self taught artist. While I hav

As an artist, I often find myself at a crossroads between comfort and growth. The familiar strokes of my brush and the well-trodden paths...

Art has a unique way of bringing people together. It allows us to express ourselves and connect with others. One of the most exciting...

Western art has a unique charm that captures the spirit of the American frontier. It tells stories of cowboys, cattle, and the vast...

Art has a unique way of connecting with our emotions. It can evoke feelings of joy, sadness, nostalgia, and even peace. At Ranchland...