Ear ‘em Down
Acrylic on Metal
The Art of Dan Abernathy
 
Ear ‘em Down 
will be at
The Legends West Art Show
At Shonkin Event Center
Great Falls, Montana
I also have a piece of art in the
First Strike Friday Night Auction at
The Russell
A Western Art Experience
March 19-21, 2026
Great Falls Montana
 
Evelyn Cameron, 1868 - 1928 was a photographer and diarist of the American West, who documented her life as a pioneer in Eastern, Montana from the late 1890s onward. She captured this image of an unnamed Elliot Outfit cowboy in 1908, holding the left ear to safely mount a horse that perhaps two weeks prior had been untouched by human hands. Earing Down a horse is an old-fashioned handling technique where a cowboy grabs, twists and sometimes bites a horse's ear. This action momentarily helps control difficult, or untamed, horses.
 
 
This piece is available for purchase.
 
Ear ‘em Down
Acrylic on Metal
This piece is drawn on cold pressed steel using acrylic paint pens. Acrylic paint is used for spot coloring. The background metal is rusted and painted. Allowing the paint to mix with the rust creates a unique, weathered color and expression. The edges are wrapped in patinaed copper. The back is finished and has D- Rings for hanging. Overall size is Approximately 26” X 32”