One of the greatest privileges of my photography career was leading a group of photographers to Fort Griffin near Albany, Texas.
The original Texas longhorn bloodline is still preserved there, and on this particular visit the head wrangler did something extraordinary—he allowed our group to walk into the pasture with the herd.
I came home with some of my favorite Texas photographs. The chigger bites were definitely worth it.
As I worked from those images, I couldn’t stop thinking about the pioneers, ranching families, and cowboys who first traveled across this land. I wanted this artwork to feel as though it carried a piece of that history.
I incorporated a vintage map of Texas, painted the landscape with my signature infrared-inspired palette, added layers of gesso for texture, and framed the piece with reclaimed barn wood. I also branded the artwork itself using a wood-burning tool, creating my own artist’s mark as a tribute to the traditions of Texas ranching.
The two longhorns were both with calf, which inspired the title Texas Mamas. To me, they represent more than cattle. They symbolize strength, protection, resilience, and the generations of women who have helped build families, communities, and the history of Texas.
