Rider in the Poplars
A gaucho rides horseback along a sunlit dirt road lined with tall golden poplars, accompanied by two dogs in the warm autumn light.
This marks my first venture into soft pastel—an exciting exploration of medium and surface. After experimenting with various papers, I discovered that pastel and linen were made for each other. I captured this scene with Lucas a day or two after an intense snowstorm, when the snow had melted and the overcast sky created those remarkable, moody colors.
The Collon Cura River flows in the background, while Lucas displays that natural ease in the saddle that makes him such a compelling subject. I believe this painting successfully captures his quiet confidence on horseback. The piece is framed with conservation glass.