Bighorn Sheep Herd

In a painting I usually let either the wildlife dominate or the landscape. To have them compete would be like having an orchestra fighting with a singer for loudness and attention.

This idea started with a magnificent Rocky Mountain landscape I saw a number of years ago (I am afraid that the glacier would be much smaller today).  I saw it as a series of abstract layered forms as opposed to a more stereotypical "chocolate box" mountain scene.  

I decided to include mountain sheep as an appropriate animal for the picture. Instead of a lordly individual I have shown a small herd. These sheep are gregarious creatures and depending on the season they may be seen in mixed herds. Because the larches at the top of the cliff are in their fall yellow glory, this may be near the rutting season.  I created the snow field at the bottom of the picture as a suitable and simple shape for the sheep to be running across.