Sky Dogs Barry Moser

The work presents a striking composition framed within a circular border. Dominating the foreground is a horse, rendered in warm earth tones that blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The animal appears to be rearing up, its forelegs lifted and head thrown back as if emitting a call or responding to an unseen force. Its mane and tail are depicted as flowing dramatically, suggesting movement and energy.
Behind the horse, the horizon line establishes a sense of vastness. A low-lying plain stretches out towards a distant range of hills, all bathed in a golden light that evokes either sunrise or sunset. Three conical structures, likely teepees, punctuate this landscape, indicating human presence within this expansive natural setting. Their placement suggests a small encampment, subtly integrated into the environment rather than imposing upon it.
The color palette is restricted primarily to shades of brown, ochre, and yellow, creating an atmosphere of warmth and tranquility. The limited range contributes to a dreamlike quality, blurring the lines between reality and myth. The circular format itself reinforces this sense of enclosure and timelessness, drawing attention inward towards the central figure of the horse.
Subtly, the painting seems to explore themes of connection – between animal and land, between humanity and nature, and perhaps even between the physical and spiritual realms. The horse’s posture suggests a moment of communication or transcendence, while the teepees hint at a culture deeply intertwined with its surroundings. There is an underlying feeling of reverence for both the natural world and the traditions that exist within it. The artist has created not merely a depiction of a scene but a symbolic representation of a relationship between beings and their environment.