Rygh Westby 1981 Ink Drawing “Colombian Vaquero” — Framed Cowboy Scene

Original ink sketch on paper by Rygh Westby (American, b. 1949), titled “Colombian Vaquero” and dated 1981. The composition depicts a mounted cowboy in motion, rendered in Westby’s confident linework that captures both anatomical precision and the spirit of ranch life. Signed and dated lower right.

Presented beneath glass in a gilt wood frame with a cream mat. This work exemplifies Westby’s dedication to portraying authentic Western and ranching themes, reflecting his lifelong connection to cowboy culture and the working horseman’s world.

Dimensions

• Overall: 13″ × 14″
• Visible: 5.5″ × 7″

Condition

Good overall condition. Artwork remains clean and well-preserved with no visible creases or tears. Some minor debris is visible behind the glass, and the mat shows mild toning consistent with age. Frame displays light surface wear to gilt finish.

Artist Biography — Rygh Westby (American, b. 1949)

Rygh Westby is an American Western artist whose work captures the authentic spirit of ranch life, the working cowboy, and the rugged beauty of the open range. Born in 1949 in Oak Park, Illinois, Westby studied briefly at Colorado State University and Elgin Community College before turning fully to art. Largely self-taught, he developed his artistic voice through firsthand experience as a ranch hand and horseman in the American West, grounding his art in the realities of the life he depicts.

Westby’s paintings, drawings, and sculptures reveal a deep understanding of horses, livestock, and the human figures that inhabit Western culture. His subjects are often friends and working cowhands he knows personally, and his scenes—whether branding, roping, or trailing cattle—reflect the unromanticized truth of cowboy life. While best known for his oil paintings on panel, he also works in watercolor, pen and ink, and bronze.

Throughout his career, Westby has been featured in publications such as Western Horseman magazine, where his art first appeared on the cover in 1981. His works have been exhibited and collected across the United States, admired for their accuracy, narrative strength, and unassuming sincerity.

Today, Westby continues to live and work in the American Southwest, remaining true to the lifestyle that inspires his art. His paintings stand as visual testaments to the enduring culture of the West—intimate portrayals of people and animals bound by land, labor, and tradition.