Untitled (Horse Race)

Very active etching of what appears to be a horse race but more of the "let's race" variety vs. a horse race at your local race track. The black ink takes on an almost green characteristic with the paper color.

Ross Santee was an author and artist noted for his depictions of the Southwest. He was born in Thornburg, Iowa in 1889. He had an interest in art throughout his childhood and after graduating from high school he attended the Chicago Art Institute from 1907-1912. After he left the Art Institute he spent an unsuccessful year in New York City trying to get his artwork published. After year of rejection notices, he burned his art supplies and moved to Arizona to live with his mother and sister. While in Arizona he found work on a ranch wrangling horses. Despite his experiences in New York, Ross resumed sketching while working on the ranch. In 1920, with the encouragement of friends and local publishers, Ross returned to New York City. This time the publishers were not only interested in his drawings but were also interested in his experiences as a cowboy. They convinced him to pen short stories based on his time on the ranch.