Cowboy's Hackamore Bit 1935 - 1942

Cecil Smith made this painting of a cowboy’s hackamore bit, and when I look at it, I think about how every mark in a painting is a decision, a little adventure. Here, Smith seems to revel in the texture of the materials; the dull gleam of the metal, the worn leather, and that fantastic woven rope, all rendered with delicate washes of color. It’s funny how paint can trick you. Smith uses thin layers, almost transparent in places, but manages to give everything a solid, weighty feel. It’s like he’s building the bit up, piece by piece, with color and light. Take a look at the lower part, at the dark lines that define the tooled leather. Each stroke is carefully placed, building up the pattern. I can’t help but think of Georgia O’Keeffe, another artist who found so much beauty in the everyday objects of the Southwest. Both invite us to slow down, to really see the world around us, and find our own stories within it.