Jack Balas, 2016; COWBOYS ROPING A LIEUTENANT, JOSEPH, (UNITED STATES ARMY, FT. CARSON) (#1349); watercolor & ink on paper, 22" x 30"

TEXT:
"Joseph was up on the seventh floor of the Denver Art Musuem the other day, looking at the western history paintings. Whenever I'm up there I ask myself how can you update those images with what concerns you today. Some friends of mine have told me how much the original painting behind him, James Walker's 1877 canvas titled "Cowboys Roping a Bear," disturbs them. When Joseph told me he is deploying to Afghanistan at the end of the week, I understood how my friends feel. IF YOU SEE HIM, TELL HIM I'VE GOT A PAINTING HERE FOR HIM WITH HIS NAME WRITTEN ON IT."