Painting with a big brush and lots of paint

I grew up near the headwaters of the Longbranch, not much now, pretty dry, but at one time this piece of my families land was a central watering hole for ranchers. Sheep and cattle would be brought to the pasture where the Longbranch begins to find good water. Often in drought this was the only source of water in the area.

During my childhood my dad leased pasture near Ramah Colorado. In this small town a woman owned a small bar. My dad and I would stop by the "Longbranch Saloon" for snacks before and after driving the pastures and checking cattle. It wasn't much to look at, but it sure beat no snacks or bottles of pop!

Years later my wife and I started my studio in Limon, and the name Longbranch emerged from my childhood. One of our favorite trees, near Calhan Colorado, has a big long branch draping over the prairie grass. I have painted this tree several times. The tree represents my life, my ties to rural Colorado, all those bumpy rides chasing cattle through pastures, the creek that has its headwaters on our land, the saloon where I bellied up t the bar to have bottle of Coke and some peanut butter crackers. 

While I keep my studio under the title Longbranch, I maintain the family brand as my official signature for all of my paintings. The Quarter Circle JM is my stamp of approval, and links my patrons to my life. The symbol of the longbranch and my families brand are both real important to me. So when you see my paintings and loo careful and see the Quarter Circle JM you know some of the story and the connection to the little creek near my home.

JR