The Wild Bunch

In this Mackenzie Thorpe original painting, five cowboys stand together with their guns blazing. Thorpe often revisits the cowboy series as it is a nostalgic reminder of his childhood.

The cowboys are illustrated as simple line drawings, perhaps inspired by pop art or Andy Warhol’s Elvis series. There are actually five slightly overlapping figures drawn in vibrant tones of green, purple, blue, and red. The foremost red cowboy has his guns already drawn, pointed directly at the viewer. The purple cowboy to this right has two guns drawn, one at the viewer and one to his left. The green cowboy in the background seems like he is ready to draw at any minute, while the blue figure points his guns at the other cowboys. The figures provide a sense of depth and dimension against the solid grey background.

Some of Thorpe’s favorite childhood memories are of growing up in Northern England and playing American cowboys in the streets of his neighborhood. The cowboy offered a playful world of imagination, adventure, and escape for him. He fondly remembers watching the American and “Spaghetti” westerns that were so popular at the time on his knob turn tv that only received a few channels.

Thorpe’s artwork was heavily influenced by his favorite Westerns including The Lone Ranger and The Searchers. He also strongly identified with the film “Lust for Life” starring Kirk Douglas as Vincent Van Gogh. Thorpe understood the tortured, artistic soul that was Van Gogh.

Thorpe creates his artworks with the purest pigment pastels made in England. The vibrant colors of the cowboys in this piece clearly stand out against the simple background. The figures are faceless, as the viewer is meant to picture himself as the main character. We are instantly transported back to a time where our imaginations could run wild. Are these cowboys feuding with each other in the wild west or are they actors recreating a scene?

This Mackenzie Thorpe artwork is available for sale at the Marcus Ashley Gallery in Lake Tahoe. The cowboy seems to fit perfectly with the western aesthetic that can be seen in our region. Marcus Ashley Gallery is one of Lake Tahoe’s premier fine art galleries, situated in Heavenly Village’s bustling shopping district. The gallery has been locally owned and operated for 18 years, providing luxury customer service, as well as any recommendations for upcoming community events.