Start, Stripes and Small Town Rodeos
Watercolor painting of bull rider from Herington Free Fair and Rodeo July 7, 2023
Happy early 4th of July y’all!
Beyond the fireworks and barbecue, one of my favorite parts of Independence Day is that it lands right in the heart of rodeo season. Across the country, small towns break out the red, white, blue and the rough stock. There’s just something special about rodeos that happen this time of year: the dusty grandstands packed with families, the smell of funnel cake, leather and horses, the cheers for the little cowboy who got thrown from a sheep mutton bustin’ picking himself up off the dirt and dusting off those pint sized blue jeans.
Here in Herington, Kansas, our free fair and rodeo usually happens right around the Fourth. This year, it’ll be rolling through town July 10–12. I’m sad to miss it since I’ll be on the road but plan on hitting a rodeo in my home state and then a couple local events back in Kansas in August and September.
Even when I can’t make it in person, I always make a point to support local rodeos whenever I can. They’re more than entertainment they’re community. They’re also an incredible opportunity for artists like myself to soak up inspiration.
Unlike big indoor arena events like the PBR, many small-town rodeos will let you bring your camera in. That means you can capture your own reference shots: barrel racers mid-turn, broncs tossing riders skyward, team ropers throwing lassos, bull riders looking for glory. I’ve taken some of my favorite reference photos and gotten the best ideas for future paintings at outdoor rodeos lit by the summers setting sun.
If you’re lucky enough to be near one this week, go. Cheer loud. Clap for the pickup men. Sing along with the clown. And if you’re an artist, take your sketchbook or your camera and see what speaks to you. The soul of the West lives in these little arenas, and there’s no better place to witness it than from the bleachers of a hometown rodeo.
Wherever you’re spending your Fourth of July I hope it’s full of joy and a little bit of dust in your boots.
Sincerely withing you no ER visits this year,
MERC