Still Life in the Tack Shed – Lazy Shamrock Ranch, Colorado
Oil painting by Lee Lee – 2005

Tucked into the tack shed at the Lazy Shamrock Ranch in January, 2005, these paintings were created during a particularly cold snap. The snow covered landscape is visible through the window. Saddles, bridles and gear infused with the warm smell of horses, lay still through the winter season.

The old tack shed holds many memories through my entire life. When I was very young, my brother and I used to sample raw oats from the barrel of feed that was given to horses after a days ride. As I got old enough to help round cattle through the various meadows during the summer, it was here I learned how to groom and saddle a horse, then treat them to a cool rinse and cup of oats afterwards in thanks – even though these spirited horses would try to rub us off while walking through aspen groves and always too willingly would turn back to stable. Horses here were free spirited, used to open meadow and only begrudgingly completed their obligations to assist with directing cattle herds. It was a good way to learn to ride as all other horses I’ve ridden since seem rather tame.

Winter at the ranch is restful. Short days were full of clear light and long nights were spent cozy by the fire, making stew, playing pool and taking the occasional night ramble to see stars in the crystalline sky. It was a time to recuperate after summers packed with activity. In the early days, the ranch would put up hay from their meadows, then lay out several bales a day for the cows who were kept there. These days the cows are trucked out to Utah to over winter, then trucked back in spring to calf. The winters became more a time for rest. I loved painting winter landscapes en plein air, but this afternoon was just a bit *too cold, so I decided to hunker in and paint a series of still lifes while thinking of the warmer weather to come.