Dwayne Brech (Colorado, b. 1953), "Taking a Break", oil on canvas, signed lower left

sight: 16 x 24 in., frame: 22 x 30 in.

Provenance: Property from a collector in Claude, Texas

Dwayne developed his artistic foundation through a 27-year career as an illustrator and art director for Western Horseman magazine after moving to Colorado in 1971, gaining extensive firsthand knowledge of horses and Western life through close interaction with horsemen, ranch visits, pack trips, and trail rides. After leaving Western Horseman in 1998, he devoted himself fully to fine-art painting, focusing on accurately and emotionally portraying cowboys, horses, Western life, and wildlife. His style is grounded in careful observation and realism. He also served as one of three judges for the 1998 annual Cowboy Artists of America exhibition, reflecting his standing within the Western art community.