The Honor of Being Pipe Carrier
$1,800.00
Editorial View
The Gallery's Perspective
A quietly intimate moment anchors this scene: a father, his son, and a horse whose coat has been painted a startling blue. The work’s early-morning light—soft golds on the grass and a cool wash on distant mountains—creates a calm, almost sacred atmosphere around the small ritual. You notice the father’s careful, practiced hands and the boy’s attentive stance; their closeness is spoken through posture rather than words. Terpning balances the bold, unexpected color of the horse with warm earth tones in the figures’ skin and clothing, which keeps the image grounded and human. Brushwork is suggestive rather than fussy, giving texture to the horse’s painted surface and to the dry grasses underfoot. There’s a gentle tension between the stillness of this domestic rite and the implied readiness for what comes next—a moment of teaching, tradition, and quiet preparation that lingers after you look away.
The Artwork
About Horse of a Different Color
Horse of a Different Color — Artist Proof Canvas
Horse of a Different Color — Artist Proof Canvas - I once read an account of a Cheyenne warrior who painted his body and his horse’s body entirely blue, says Howard Terpning. Just imagine the startling effect that must have had on his enemies as he charged them in battle. That description gave me the idea for the title (which seemed obvious). Adding the warrior’s son in the painting felt logical and gave the picture a higher level of human interest. To have listened in on the father and son conversation as this warrior prepared himself for battle would have been something.
As we made the selection of this painting to reproduce, it occurred to us that this is the first Terpning work we have published that focused so directly on the relationship between a father and a son. It surprised us that there were actually so few paintings he had done on the subject. We think that makes this release kind of special. By the way, Howard’s son Steven modeled for the boy.
Collector Details
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About the Collection
Howard Terpning is one of the most celebrated Western artists, known for his historically rich and emotionally compelling depictions of Native American life. With a deep respect for Plains Indian culture, his paintings capture narrative storytelling in art, bringing history to life through traditional oil paintings. A member of the Cowboy Artists of America, Terpning’s work is recognized for its historical realism and museum-quality craftsmanship. His fine art prints and originals are highly sought after, making him a defining figure in American West painting.
Image Rights
Image copyright © 2026 by Howard Terpning.
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Authenticity & Documentation
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Quite simply, Howard Terpning is one of the most lauded painters of Western art. His awards are so numerous and he is honored with them so often, that to list them would require changing the count every few months. To name three would be to cite the highest prizes awarded to Western art: countless awards from the Cowboy Artists of America, the Hubbard Art Award for Excellence, the National Academy of Western Art s Prix de West and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gene Autry Museum.
Why such praise? Passion, compassion, devotion and respect for his subject matter, extraordinary talent in palette and brushstroke, an exceptional ability to evoke emotion both in his paintings and from those viewing them — all this and more has made Terpning the "Storyteller of the Native American."
Born in Illinois and educated at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and the American Academy of Art, he first gained attention from some powerful Time and Newsweek covers. Film fans praised his movie posters for such classics as The Sound of Music, Dr. Zhivago and the re-issue of Gone with the Wind.
But his love of the West and Native American traditions saw his transition to fine art. Terpning was a long-time member of the Cowboy Artists of America, which has presented him with Gold and Silver awards, "Best of Show" awards, and "Best Overall Show by a Single Artist" awards more than two dozen times.
His first book, The Art of Howard Terpning won the Wrangler "Outstanding Art Book" award from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. Spirit of the Plains People, his second book, was released in 2001 in conjunction with a one-man show at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. A third, Tribute to the Plains People, was released in 2012 to celebrate his retrospective at The Autry National Center in Los Angeles.
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