You Played that Card
$395.00
Editorial View
The Gallery's Perspective
A single moment of comic chaos animates this riverbank scene—everyone’s attention is pulled to the mule rearing under the weight of a small cannon, its panic sending sand and people into motion. Andy Thomas stages the episode like a short, lively story: the mule and gun are center stage, while a crowd of steamboat hands, suited gentlemen, and a few quiet onlookers in native dress circle the disturbance with expressions that range from alarmed to bemused. The palette is warm and sandy with cool river blues and soft clouded light that keep the scene readable and human rather than melodramatic. Brushwork suggests the dust and movement without obscuring facial glimpses and gestures, so you can almost hear the startled shouts and the thud of hooves. It’s a painting that delights in small, historical absurdity—a spirited moment of frontier life rendered with humor, detail, and a sense of lively storytelling that stays with you after the first look.
The Artwork
About Hot Time in Ft. Benton
\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style="color: rgb(255, 42, 0);"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll our prints ship rolled in a tube.\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInterested in having your \u003cstrong\u003ecanvas\u003c/strong\u003e arrive to you \u003cstrong\u003eframed \u003c/strong\u003eand ready to hang instead? Put one of our plein air frames in the cart with your canvas of choice. We only frame canvas, no paper prints, and must be 30" x 40" or under. "ROLLED ONLY and "STRETCHED" items are not available for framing.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style="color: rgb(46, 94, 165);"\u003eStory:\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv\u003e \u003cp\u003eA True Story\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA demonstration of the power of a mountain howitzer to impress the Indians seemed a clever move to their Agent. That would make the meeting more productive. No need to unpack it, the back of the mule would work.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe mule did not agree.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e
Collector Details
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Artist Signature
Signed by the artist
This piece is artist signed and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
Image Rights
Image copyright © 2026 by Andy Thomas.
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Authenticity & Documentation
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Limited-edition artwork includes a Certificate of Authenticity when one is issued by the artist, publisher, studio, or authorized source. Open-edition pieces may not include a certificate; this does not affect their authenticity. The Collection Shop sources artwork through artists, publishers, authorized distributors, galleries, and other approved channels. Any additional documentation included with this specific piece will be noted above.
Andy Thomas is not only an immensely talented painter, but also a storyteller with the images he creates. His subject matter consists of a variety of images from historical events to intimate moments of everyday life. The artist s desire to create is funneled into the area of painting realism that ranges from very loose to very tight. Thomas s medium is primarily oil, but he also works in watercolor, pen and ink, charcoal, pencil, and ink wash. He is also a very accomplished sculptor.
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