Raising cattle has become a tradition in Hawaii. I was interested in learning about the humane way this Moloka’i co-op treated their livestock as a guest for the annual roundup. Paniolos on horseback herded the cattle into a funnel of fences from the free range mountain they live on. The thunder of hooves thrilled the senses. I took the photograph that I used for the painting from behind a temporary metal fence that did not feel terribly secure, but the cattle turned neatly into a corral and calmly milled around as if it was just another day. Most of them had been through this routine before. The animals were strong and healthy, lowing gently.

I didn’t want to know which ones were old enough to be culled. I wanted them all to head back up the mountain for another year of grazing on a mountain in Hawaii with a stellar view and only each other for company.

Please write to clbnyart@gmail.com for prices for prints and information about commissions. The original painting is still available.

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Cattle roundup photograph. I cropped the cowboys as I wasn’t able to ask for their permission to publish their photos.