Artist Journal Entry:
In December of 2022, I was invited to capture photos of the cowboys at the 6666 Ranch for their last branding of the year. The day before this photo was captured, we were working on a southern pasture in muddy conditions on a cold winter morning. All of the cowboys, including writer and creator of the television series Yellowstone, Taylor Sheridan, spent all day branding their last group of calves for the season. The following morning, I drove from the North Camp where I was staying and met with all the guys again in front of the iconic L Barn. Waiting for the sun to rise, we gathered horses and exchanged stories alongside a warm cup of coffee before finally setting up the composition I had in mind. I wanted to create an image that captures the spirit and bond between these men. An image that celebrates the hard work and selflessness that goes into maintaining the ranch, the land, and the livestock that feed from it. Lastly, an image that honors this historic ranch and those who have worked under its brand. I am honored to have been accepted to create this artwork alongside the cowboys at the 6666 Ranch in collaboration with Taylor Sheridan.