Painted on the skull of a longhorn who lived his full life on the very ranch I now call home, Where the Longhorns Roam is a tribute to the quiet dignity of these iconic animals and to the woman who cares for them. My landlord—an extraordinary rancher in her seventies—runs this place on her own. She knows every animal by heart, grieves each calf she has to sell in the fall, and dreams of keeping them all if she ever struck it rich. She even takes in every stray cat and dog that’s been dumped along these backroads, offering them food, shelter, and vet care without a second thought.

This bull passed of old age, and she gifted me his skull to paint—an honor that carries both heritage and heart. I chose to paint him as he lived: roaming under a warm Montana sky, steady and sure, part of the land as much as the sage and the wind. His story is still here, etched into bone and color, carrying the spirit of the West, the resilience of the animals who shape it, and the compassion of the woman who tends them.

This piece isn’t just a painted skull—it’s a portrait of a life well-lived, and of a place where every creature matters.

Hand painted longhorn skull.  72” Wide

“Sunset on the Madison” is a one-of-a-kind collaboration between Carrie Kohles Fine Art and Twisted Timbers Custom Woodwork — a fusion of fine art and natural craftsmanship inspired by Montana’s wild beauty.

Hand-built from reclaimed wood, the console table features antler drawer pulls and a live-edge top that retains the soul of the tree it came from. Upon this surface, a hand-painted scene of elk wading through the Madison River glows with the warmth of evening light — a moment where land, wildlife, and artistry converge.

Every element, from the smooth grain of the pine to the brushstrokes of sunset color, tells a story of connection: to nature, to craftsmanship, and to the spirit of the West.

A truly functional work of art — where the wild becomes part of the home.

Dimesions 54 × 36 × 24

“Legacy” honors the life and spirit of a legendary band stallion named Rocky — a wild mustang whose strength, leadership, and bloodline left an indelible mark on the herd he once led.

This painting is a reflection on what endures when the body is gone — the untamed spirit that continues through generations, running free across the open range. The play of light and texture captures both the quiet dignity of the stallion and the wild beauty of the land that shaped him.

Legacy serves as a tribute to all wild horses who have roamed the West, and a reminder that their story — their resilience, courage, and freedom — is part of ours.

Original Painting. Painting is Acrylic and Chinese Ink on Watercolor paper that is mounted onto hardboard and varnished with a UV Protectant varnish. The frame for this painting is handmade by Twisted Timbers Custom Woodwork and is built out of aged pine harvested in Montana. Painting dimensions: 27 × 16

“Just the Two of Us” began with an unexpected encounter — when Jay wandered a little too far off the trail in Yellowstone and stumbled upon this young cow elk mid-snack. Startled but curious, she peeked through the foliage, vine still hanging from her mouth, as if to ask, “You’re not supposed to be here, are you?”

This painting captures that moment — the mix of surprise, innocence, and connection that happens when wildlife reminds us we’re guests in their world. Bathed in soft greens and golds, the scene radiates the peaceful, untamed spirit of Yellowstone, where humor and harmony with nature often go hand in hand.

“Just the Two of Us” celebrates those fleeting, funny, and unforgettable encounters that make the wild feel wonderfully alive.

Original Painting. Painting is Acrylic and Chinese Ink on Watercolor paper that is mounted onto hardboard and varnished with a UV Protectant varnish. The frame for this painting is handmade by Twisted Timbers Custom Woodwork and is built out of aged pine harvested in Montana. Painting dimensions: 12 × 20