Dash for the Timber, Homage to Fredrick Remington, Mural by Ray Istre, 4 ft. x 12 ft.

Dash for the Timber, originally done by Fredrick Remington is one of my favorite paintings. I love the subject matter depicting a time of expansion in the Western United States. It was the time of the Cowboys and Indians and the Cowboys did not always win. There was a lot of give and take and each side was guilty of breaking treaties, according to Louie Lamour, who researched and wrote many stories of the old west. 

I would say that Remington is the greatest painter of the horse. That may be so because of his use of photographs, which could capture a horse in mid gallop. This was impossible before photography so an artist had to either attempt to draw the legs moving at a fast rate of speed or just draw the horse in a still position. Most of the time before photography, artist opted for the still horse or a leg up in a stepping position.

I learned a lot doing this mural. Just taking the time to study the colors, textures, perspectives and action of the great Remington painting made me a better artist. Hope you enjoy my attempt to follow a master.