The idea for "PART O' THE PAY" was born on an annual trip I make to Floydada, Texas. Mr. Lon Davis, a local rancher and businessman, hosts an "old fashioned cattle roundup" on his place just outside Matador, where we gather and process cattle (brand, cut, "doctor", etc.) on what is usually a fine spring day.I used to do this kind of work in feedlots around the Imperial Valley where I grew up, but we had the conveniences of: fenced alleyways to move cattle quickly and efficiently, usually on foot; squeeze chutes (used for immobilizing cattle while they are worked) that were usually electrically powered hydraulic units, set up in areas wired for good lighting and electric branding irons; AND, we were always paid for the work. At this roundup in Texas, the cattle must be gathered on horseback, sorted and separated by cutting horse and rider, moved into holding pens and worked in a manually powered squeeze chute in the hot sun, next to the gas-fed fire used to heat the branding irons. It's hot, dusty work and it's done on a volunteer basis. I must say here that we are fed EXTREMELY well, though, and there's a welcome "happy hour" after the work is done.
"PART O' THE PAY" portrays Mr. Jim Goins of Norman, Oklahoma. This was at the end of a day that featured equipment malfunctions, intense West Texas heat, a fair part of the herd that was "MIA", and, generally speaking, a bunch of sour cattle. The Budweiser in Jim's hand was, in fact, part of the "pay", but at that particular moment it felt better just to sit for a while.
DANIEL FRANKS
All negatives and plates used in the production process of this print have since been destroyed. There will be no further reproduction of the original drawing.
