“Oregon’s Living Legends”
This painting depicts the wild horses from the Herd Management Areas in Oregon; it was painted in conjunction with the book by the same title, “Oregon’s Living Legends”. The book, as well as the accompanying art, describe the management of the ranges and the horses, and other wildlife, that share the range.
Oregon's Living Legends |
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Giclee's $175.00, 15 Artist Proof's, 150 signed and numbered prints.
Centuries ago, the Conquistadors sailed to the new world with horses. Since the time their rugged steeds set foot in America they have remained symbols of our western heritage.
In 1971 the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act was passed by Congress to protect all wild horses and burros on public lands. The Bureau of Land Management was given the responsibility to protect, manage and control these wild populations. In order to keep the herds at manageable levels, roundups or gathers were held periodically. At this time they are counted, freeze-branded, examined, placed in holding facilities and offered to the public for adoption.
In 1977, during one of the gathers in the remote area of Beatty's Butte, Oregon, a particular kind of horse was discovered. BLM Wild Horse Specialist, Ron Harding, noticed that a number of these horses were strikingly similar in color and conformation. Upon closer observation, he ascertained that they carried the primitive markings of the early Spanish Mustangs. BLM District Officials arranged for these horses to be separated from the rest and held at the Burns District facility in Oregon. A suitable area was chosen to release these horses into, some in the Kiger Gorge area, and some on Riddle Mountain.
These horses came to be known as the Kiger mustangs, and through DNA testing it was determined that they traced back to the early Spanish mustangs. Dun factor horses are most commonly identified as duns and grullas. Markings include a dorsal stripe, jack stripe, zebra stripes on the legs, arm bars, bicolored mane and tail, ears with dark outline and fawn colored interior, facial mask and cobwebbing. The ears are finely pointed and slightly hooked at the tip, with a clean cut head and prominent eyes and a fine muzzle. They are smaller but very tough horses.
One Stallion in particular, stood out from the rest, his long flowing mane and tail, and proud regal stance, captured the hearts of all that came to know him. He was named "Mesteno" meaning mustang in Spanish, he remained one of the main herd sires of the Kiger horses, and his progeny as well as his legend lives on today.
Artist Statement: Harney County and the rugged Steens Mountains are a vast unique place, filled with its own history. It is also home to some unique wild horses, thanks to the passion and careful management by the Burns District BLM. Our skies are filled with beautiful sunsets and sunrises and other atmospheric changes that inspire moods. I observed this large harvest moon last fall coming up as the sun was going down, I just had to paint this moment, I felt it fit with this image of Mesteno, just a beautiful fleeting moment! This painting will be part of a collection of art, for the book " Oregon's Living Legends" being written by Andi Harmon, on Oregon's wild horses. - Michelle Severe
Oregon's Living Legends
I wanted to capture the beauty and elegance that women bring to the show ring. This is Mary Lee White showing her horse Stitch in our local stock horse futurity. She has brought him along using the traditional vaquero method of training. Here he is learning to pack a stiff bit, using the bosal and mecate. Next year he will be shown straight up in the bridle.
Mary Lee operates White Cattle Company, in Burns Oregon, and she raises quality Angus, Chi-Angus & Hereford bulls. She believes in the need for good quality ranch horses, and always has horses at different stages of training. When time allows, she enjoys showing her horses in local stock horse events.
Linda Bentz and her Joseph bringing in a heifer with obvious problems, a backwards calf! In Joe’s excitement to be helpful he is also worrying the heifer a bit and Mom is probably telling him to slow down and take it easy.
They represent 5th and 6th generations of ranching in the Great Basin of Eastern Oregon. Mike and Linda Bentz continue the traditional way of ranching with their 5 children. Their heritage extends back to some of the first pioneers to settle the Harney County area.
They reside in Juntura, Oregon, raising Black Angus cattle, and a fine remuda that supplies the operation with plenty of quality horses.
Signed and numbered giclee prints available.
A Horse with no name, only a number! Number 8857 was gathered from the Coyote Lakes herd management area. Corienne Elser was gentling him for an adopter at the time I took my reference photo’s of them. They will be featured in the soon to be released book “Oregon’s Living Legends” written by Andi Harmon. This illustration will be accompanied by a poem in the book, written by Andrea Basset on the “Freeze Brand“.
Corinne Elser was 12 years old when she adopted her first mustang, developing a respect and fondness for them. A week after she graduated from high school, she moved to Burns, Oregon as a volunteer for the BLM Wild Horse program. She soon started a training business, but still works primarily with wild horses. Corinne says “ working with horses is the most rewarding career she could of chosen!” Corinne won the 2008 Western States Mustang makeover with her wild horse “Dolly”
Oregon's Living Legends
Signed and numbered giclee prints available.
I felt the title fit this situation. The definition of supervisors is: to direct and inspect the work, actions or performance of; to oversee, which even though this ranch woman is doctoring a calf under her supervision, she is being closely supervised by her horse, dogs, cattle, and the calf’s mother who is very concerned about the whole thing!
Becky Rose was raised in southeastern Oregon on the Crooked Creek and 12 mile Ranches near the infamous White Horse Ranch. Growing up, she learned from her father and other great horsemen and women, how to make finished bridle horses using the old Spanish Vaquero style and methods of horsemanship, progressing from the snaffle, hackamore, two rein to straight up in the bridle. She started her first colt at age 8, which was a wild horse and has spent her whole life with horses, performing all aspects of ranch life, and is also an accomplished horsewoman.
Becky and her hussband Gary, have 3 grown children and own and operate a small cattle & horse ranch in Harney County. She raises quality working ranch and performance horses out of her two quarter horse Stallions Docs Sugar Tucker and Tuckers Blue Gizmo, who combined have earned the Harney County Stallion Stakes Champion (leading sires) 7 times. The whole family is involved in team roping, team branding and stock horse events, turning out top notch roping and stock horses. She is shown in this drawing with her red roan gelding Skidaddle N Tucker, and dogs Chalko and Puncher
Signed and numbered giclee prints available.
Here Karen Simmons, riding her 5 hear old AQHA gelding River Bug Rambler, is circling up her cow at the end of her fence work. She has brought this horse from the snaffle, to the hackamore, to the 2-rein, and will show him next year straight up in the bridle as a 6yr old.
Raised on a farm in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, she has always had a love of horses. Through the years, Karen has worked for many ranches starting colts. After moving to eastern Oregon, she was enamored with the abilities of the stock horses in the area and has endeavored to keep the traditions alive in the horses she trains.
Original $500.00, Artist Proof's 5, 50 signed and numbered prints $75.00
This reflects a woman's two best companions, her horse and dog! There is a poem that goes with this written by Julie Smith.
Marilyn Raymond with her horse Buck and dog Teddy receiving some praise for a job well done!
Marilyn and Husband Rich rode the rugged Murders Creek area for many years working for the Dayville Grazing Association. Marilyn worked along side Rich taking care of Association cattle, as well as the fencing.
This is part of a series focusing on working ranch women. For more information:
Web-site: www.michellesevere.com
Email: michelle.severe@yahoo.com
Ph 541-495-2253
Signed and numbered giclee prints available.
Growing up on the back of a horse, Amanda Wiggins developed a deep interest in perfecting her horsemanship skills. Learning from skilled horsemen and mentors, she works at building a
strong foundation in young horses, based on trust and confidence. Each colt is brought along at it’s own pace without time constraints.
Amanda has worked in many ranch positions, and as a trainer, ranging from ranch horses to starting thoroughbred racing colts in Kentucky, to feedlot and livestock auction yard work. Her experience has lead to the performance world of reined cow horses and ranch horse versatility events. She takes pride in her young horse program.
Signed and numbered giclee prints available.
With a clean loop a colt is caught, branded and castrated using the older traditional methods used on larger ranches, that raised many horses to do the work. With great skill, the colts are caught, fore footed, and laid on the ground . With minimal stress to the horse, they receive their first lesson at being caught and respecting a rope.
Horses have always been a major part of Monel Shelly’s life. She grew up on a ranch in southeast Oregon, helping her dad with all aspects of ranch life. She enjoys producing good working ranch horses, and loves to rope!
Monel competes in local ranch roping events , the Jordon Valley Big Loop, traditional colt branding and horse roping events during the summer. She also so works as a dental assistant and is interested in equine dentistry.
Signed and numbered giclee prints available.
This reflects part of my working ranch women series of a working cowgirl headed out for a days work when she discovers the lost shoe. She will quickly tack on another one and join the rest of the crew. Her name is Lisa Robinson, she lives in Silver Lake, Oregon, and day works for many ranches in the area. she is also a very proficient farrier following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather who have passed on the tools of the trade. This takes place on the Oregon Canyon Ranch, McDermit Nevada.
Original $500.00, 5 Artist Proof's, 50 signed and numbered giclee prints $75.00
I wanted to do this subject on black with colored pencil for the contrast. It turned out well, but my long time friend and farrier did not want me to portray her as just a "Farrier!" She said if I was going to draw her, she wanted to be portrayed as the working cowgirl that she is, not just a farrier! Whoops! So of course that's where the drawing "Workday Repair" comes from!
Signed and numbered giclee prints available.
Debbie Bentz and her daughter Niclole represent the third and fourth generation of the Bentz and Stewart families residing in southeastern Oregon.
Great Grandfather Paul Stewart and Uncle Will Craven arrived in Oregon in 1917 from Texas to work on the historic P Ranch, to eventually owning ranches created by three of the regions largest operators, John Devine, Peter French and Henry Miller. Paul and his wife Ruth owned and operated the Crane Creek and Mann Lake ranches, then acquired the Whitehorse Ranch that John Devine started and lost during financial hard times to Miller and Lux (PLS)
Paul and Ruth raised their family and later sold the Whitehorse and retired, their daughter Anne married the ranch foreman Ken Bentz, and started the V Dash Cattle Company in Harney County. The Company was divided later between the 3 sons, Jim, Mike, and Kenny Bentz.
Debbie and Kenny Bentz currently operate the Crow Camp Ranch near Crane Oregon and have carried on the V Dash brand, and raise Angus cattle. They have three children Natalie, Nicole and Jack, all are active participants in the daily operation of the ranch, carrying on the traditions and legacy of the past!
Signed and numbered giclee prints available.
This a the beginning of a series on working women doing stock horse events in Harney County. In the Hackamore
One in a series of women participating in traditional stock horse events. In the hackamore is one of several steps in the traditional training process, some start with a snaffle bit, then to a hackamore, but true to tradition starts with the hackamore only. The bosal (hackamore) are usually larger to start with, and as the horse learns to respond with a lighter touch, the bosals get smaller in size, called a bosalita. Traditionally the horse never has a bit in his mouth until he reaches the 2-rein process. In the 2-rein a horse learns to pack the bit while still wearing a bosal underneath; the purpose of the bosal is to support the horse in the transition from the hackamore to the bit. When the horse learns to perform fully with the bit, with out help of the bosal ( sometimes refered to as the under bridle ) it removed. This is what as known as straight up in the bridle. Ideally, horses brought along using these methods, are soft and giving as finished bridle horses. This method is the traditional Vaquero, often referred to as the “Spanish” style, of making an accomplished bridle horse.
50 signed and numbered 12 x 14 poster prints $35.00. All proceeds to the Harney Hospital Foundation.
Giclee's available on request.
This was created for the Harney Hospital Foundation fundraiser poster, to benefit the rural emergency 1st responder program and education fund. It also won the Harney County Soil and Water art contest depicting life in Harney County and it's ranching community and families.
Fall represents a time of harvest, crops and livestock, the fruits of the year's labor. It is a time families work together to get the job done. The harvest, in turn, represents the cycle of life, as heritage and tradition are passed from one generation to the next.
50 signed and numbered 13 x 15 poster proof's $35.00 all proceeds to the Harney Hospital Foundation. Giclee's available on request.
Was created for the Harney Hospital Foundations fundraiser poster, to benefit the rural emergency 1st responder program and education fund.
Depicting another life cycle of the west, branding time! Rites of spring, a social event, families, neighbors and friends helping each other to ensure the health and welfare of their livestock as well as the future of their livelihoods.
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