December’s Western Mini: Cow Skull

For December’s mini, I wanted something that feels like the end of a long year reflecting quiet and warmth. I went with a cow skull set against a desert landscape at sunset. It’s a simple subject, leaning extra western. I’m a bit of a bone hunter myself and it’s always a treat to find a skull especially with horns in a forgotten pasture. I know not all people find joy in old bones but the finality of nothing left but bone also fits for the last month of the year. I also just love those warm sunset colors, especially this time of year when everything is cold. Soft golds, reds, and dusty browns happen to be my favorite palette so there is that too. This month’s minis lean into that glow and wrap the year up with something grounded and steady.

Thanks for being here for another month of these tiny Western paintings. I’m excited to keep this series going into the new year. You can find the Western Mini subscription here but if you’re not a subscription person you can do a single perches as well as a one time thing for the same price.

MERC