Western artist’s masterpieces can complete your country living space

A stampede of wild horses jockeying for position across the rugged western plains they’ve come to know all too well, kicking up plumes of dust in their wake. Three majestic longhorns standing tall, with one gently pressing its lips to the cool creek water below. Four stoic Indians on horseback, looking to find their way as evening sets on the Rio Grande. These are just some of the breathtaking and vivid works of art by renowned western and wildlife artist, Ragan Gennusa, and describing them with mere words hardly does them justice.

But the point is this: if you love artwork as much as we do, especially when it comes to customizing your country living space — right down to the smallest of details — Gennusa’s masterpieces are the epitome of the western look.

A Texas native and former UT football player who currently lives in the hill country outside of Dripping Springs, Gennusa paints mainly by commission. His paintings — which have earned him lasting connections with cattle ranchers and farmers — hang in private and corporate collections nationwide. A few include the Briscoe Western Art Museum, The King Ranch, the New York Life Insurance Company in New York, the national office of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America in Fort Worth, and the University of Texas Alumni Center.

His longhorn paintings, in particular, are considered historical contributions in Texas and go above and beyond in capturing the animal’s true spirit and power. Among his most memorable works is a series of three Texas Longhorn paintings aptly called The Trilogy, which is meant to symbolize the Mack Brown era in University of Texas football lore.

Here is a brief breakdown of The Trilogy and its symbolism:

• Longhorn Storm — Depicts excitement surrounding Brown and the revitalization one of college football’s top programs
• The Climb to the Top — A longhorn walking uphill symbolizing the team’s rocky road to the top
• Dawn of a New Longhorn era — This final installment in the trilogy, marked by the rays of a new day bouncing off a majestic longhorn at the top of a mountain, signifies the program winning a national championship.

Gennusa grew up in Port Arthur and always had an affinity for the outdoors. From an early age, he’d spend long afternoons outside drawing animals. He focused much of his attention on wildlife, and he went on to major in art at UT before securing one of his first jobs as an artist for Texas Wildlife. His passion knows no limits, even going so far as to acquire his own cattle and complete paintings while working remotely at historic ranches and on game hunts.

If you’re trying to create a look that speaks to your style (inside and out) and who you are, including a one-of-a-kind ceiling fan from The Windmill Ceiling Fan Company, Gennusa is an artist who can be commissioned to complete that customized home or barndominium that you’ve always wanted. And who wouldn’t want an award-winning painting or two on their walls? According to an article by panews.com, Gennusa’s list of honors include State Artist of Texas in 1985 and the Texas Historical Foundation’s John Ben Sheppard Jr. Merit Award in 2006. In 2016, he was awarded the “purchase prize” by the Briscoe Museum in San Antonio, and in 2017, he won the Briscoe Museum “Patrons Prize” for best painting.

To see more paintings, prints, and background information on Ragan Gennusa, you can visit his website here: https://www.ragangennusa.com/