A poised gray horse stands in raking light against a warm umber ground, its sculpted form accented by copper notes and soft, grounded shadow.

A tender portrait of a woman and her palomino standing close together, with warm golds and cool blue-greens emphasizing their quiet connection.

A warmly lit nocturne of rodeo-goers—led by a girl and an older cowboy—walking toward a lively barn under stadium lights.

A lone cowboy on horseback navigates a narrow mountain cliff trail, illuminated by dramatic light against a vast, rugged landscape.

One of the neighboring estancia owner’s asked Lucas to come pick up a pony. We rode over earlier in the day and enjoyed some Argentine hospitality. As we were riding back the weather changed and made for interesting light.

Three riders and a dog press on through an endless, snowbound plain under a heavy, overcast sky. In pastel on linen, Wheeler captures the bitter cold and quiet defiance of gaucho life in Patagonia, with Lucas—ever the John Wayne figure—leading the way.

The poplars in Patagonia have incredible colors for a month in the fall. This is part of a group out for a ride. The colors were irresistible. I painted this in pastel on linen to try and capture the spirit of the day.

The final painting in the series of three snow day paintings. The sky turned yellow as the setting sun reflected off clouds and mountains. Everyone is exhausted and shoulders are slumping. In a bit of a surreal symbol, I placed a cross at the far right side. It has words on it as a secret message to the viewer.