The Story Behind 'After The Last Cut'

There's a moment on the prairies—quiet, almost imperceptible—when the final bale is rolled, the machinery falls silent, and the land exhales. That moment is where After The Last Cut was born.

This painting began as a memory, one stitched together from years of watching harvests rise and fall across prairie fields. There's a particular kind of stillness after the final pass of the cutter, when the work is done but the story isn't. The stubble glows gold in the late sun, the air carries a faint sweetness, and the land feels both emptied and full at the same time. It's a pause that holds gratitude, exhaustion, and hope all at once.

I wanted to capture that feeling—the way the prairie holds its breath before winter settles in. The dirt path leading toward the barn or machine shed, the warm light brushing the hay bales, the sky shifting through soft purples and oranges… all of it is meant to echo that sense of completion and quiet resilience. It's a painting about work done with care, about cycles that continue even when life feels uncertain, and about the beauty that lingers after the labour ends.

What many won't know—but what feels important to share here—is that this piece was created during a time of heavy personal strain. While navigating difficult family matters, the studio became both refuge and compass. The act of painting this landscape reminded me that even in seasons of upheaval, there are moments of stillness worth holding onto. The prairie has always taught me that.

After The Last Cut will be exhibited at the Gwen Fox Art Gallery in February, but as promised, my subscribers are the first to see it. Before social media, before the gallery walls—this reveal belongs to you. Your support has carried me through more than you know.

In the coming weeks, I'll also be sharing updates on a new commissioned prairie scene currently on my easel, as well as an exciting connection with a Northern Manitoba gallery where I may begin exhibiting soon. Even in challenging times, the creative path continues to open in meaningful ways.

Thank you for being part of this journey, for reading these stories, and for walking the prairie with me—one painting at a time.