Under the Western Moon 🌙

On certain nights, the desert feels wide awake. In Alton, Utah, the streets grow quiet, doors stay unlocked, and the pews of the little church sit empty after the morning service. But beyond the town, under the silver light of a full moon, a young cowgirl carries her courage into the dark.

The air is alive with sagebrush and dust, restless with the whispers of the land. Wind tugs at her hair as her horse moves steady beneath her, hooves drumming a rhythm that feels both ancient and unbroken. The night isn’t for sleep — it’s for strength, resilience, and the quiet pursuit of adventure.

As she rides, shadows gather across the valley, stretching long and deep. But the moon pours its light over her shoulders like armor. She sits tall in the saddle, confident and unshaken, a daughter of the West who knows the balance of faith and grit. The night bends back, silver conquering shadow. In the wind, there are whispers of prayer — half blessing, half reminder.

And still she rides. Untamed. Unbroken.
Forever under the Western moon.

Artist’s Note

Under the Western Moon was inspired by a quiet night I spent in Alton, Utah — a small town where the desert feels alive and faith lingers in the air. I wanted to capture the feeling of that night: the strength in the stillness, the resilience in the silence, and the beauty of a cowgirl carrying her courage under a silver sky.

I created this piece with acrylic, watercolor, and pencil, layering them to bring both softness and strength into the scene. The moonlight and shadows became just as much a part of the painting as the rider herself — a reminder of how light always finds a way to conquer the dark.