'BOLO' - Framed Original

11x14 Acrylic on gesso primed panel.
Frame Size:  23.5"x20"

Story behind the painting:

On August 17, 2025, at approximately 8:35 a.m., I was scouting some high ridges of the Guadalupe National Forest in Colorado, gearing up for the opening of archery season. I’d been following signs of a herd of elk and decided to hang a trail camera on the very top of a mountain ridge where several trees showed fresh antler rubs.

I left the camera there for a week and then hiked back up to see who all had been passing through. When I pulled the card and scrolled to the first photo, I couldn’t help but laugh. Staring straight back at me was a young bull elk, perfectly framed, clearly taking a selfie. It looked exactly like a mugshot, as if he’d just been caught red-handed vandalizing every tree on the ridge.

It took me back to my days as a police detective, reviewing surveillance footage and finding a suspect’s face staring right into the camera. Even though he wasn’t the suspect I was actually after, I was more than happy with the apprehension of this goofy young bull. A BOLO was immediately issued for his father or grandfather, and the hunt continued.
Like a light bulb coming on, I knew right then and there that this entire experience would eventually make its way onto canvas. Now that the season has ended and I’m already dreaming about the next go round, that memory has finally come to life in acrylics.
“BOLO” is born.