Artist Rides, Part 3

"Summer Tree"

16X20

oil

So...I finally arrived at the site. While I was overwhelmed, my daughter was quite underwhelmed (yawning in complete disinterest, as I recall). We got there early so that we could have the "chuck wagon" experience. Which was not great. But I didn't care. I was on a great adventure. In contrast, my daughter might as well have been in after-school detention. 

I soon spotted several artists I knew from the Artists' Breakfast in Scottsdale. This was of comfort to me as the day wore on. I will give them fictitious names, since I don't actually have their permission to use their real names. I'll call them John, Ted, and Don. I know. It's memorable.

As to the way the Artist Rides work, the artists make requests of the models for certain types of scenes. For example, a cowboy sitting by his horse with a contemplative look. Or several "chiefs" seated in front of a tepee looking as if they've just come to a peace accord (probably after a round of peyote). There are always multiple scenes being played out at different parts of the ranch. There is no lack of space...it's truly in the middle of nowhere on what I presume is an enormous ranch.

So you can imagine that at times it's difficult to choose which scenes to photograph. The first scene I chose to photograph was a beautiful Native American model by the name of Stormy. I would guess that Stormy was around 40 years old, but as John remarked to me, "time has been kind to her". The scene was supposed to be of a Native American mother interacting with a small child. Only the child wasn't altogether on board with this set up. In fact, he clearly didn't fancy Stormy. So I moved on to another scene.

This one was of the aforementioned cowboy sitting contemplatively by his faithful horse. But this did not really appeal to me. Plus, he kept giving me dirty looks (as though I might stiff him). Which brings me to another way in which Artist Rides work. The models are to be tipped by the artists photographing them.

The organizer of this particular ride works in the movie industry in various capacities...mostly stunt work, or as an extra. I think. Anyway...some of the models are stunt people. Others...I'm not sure. Perhaps "John" can elaborate on this if/when he reads this (you know who you are). Among the artists, it's understood that you are to tip the models when you photograph them. There's no set amount, but it's understood that you tip as well as you can afford. Since multiple artists are taking pictures, and they're all tipping fairly well...the models do pretty well.

I will end Part 3 with my third photo-op, because it was quite memorable to me. There was a stream (or perhaps a small river) nearby across which horses were to be driven by some cowboys...or was it Indians? I don't remember. All of the male artists had gotten there before me and had taken up the best - and safest - spots. For this particular scene, the artists competed heavily for the best locations from which to photograph. In my book (my ebook) I compare them to "Lindsay Lohan and the Olsen twins fighting over a bottle of Ipecac". 

Anyway, I thought I had a safe spot off to the side of the path the horses were taking (scenes are re-enacted again and again in order for the artists to get multiple shots). I was seated on the ground. But this time when the horses started across the stream, three of them decided - possibly as a break from the monotony - to break off and head my way. I saw them in the viewfinder of my camera and thought, "Oh, dear". Actually, I think the words I was thinking were a little stronger than that, but I'll spare details in deference to the faint-of-heart among you. I scrambled as quickly as I could as a then-49-year-old, and barely made it out of the way. If it happened now, I suppose I would just have to roll up in a ball, be trampled, and hope for the best. 

Horses just have no regard for artists, as it turns out.

To be continued...

p.s. - the parents among you won't need this, but..."Ipecac - the dried root of a South American plant used to induce vomiting". Most parents keep it on hand in case Little Lord Fauntleroy ingests something he shouldn't.