Southwestern Landscape: Monument Valley Buttes in Oil

This is an original oil on canvas painting measuring 9 by 11 inches, executed by a contemporary Houston-based artist. The composition features a classic Southwestern desert vista, specifically depicting the iconic 'Mitten' buttes of Monument Valley. The artwork is characterized by a warm, vibrant palette utilizing ochres, siennas, and oranges for the geological formations, contrasted against a dynamic sky of pale blue and lilac-tinged clouds suggesting dawn or dusk light. The construction utilizes visible brushstrokes that provide texture to the rugged terrain and soft, atmospheric blending in the clouds. The painting is displayed unframed on a studio easel, showing paint onto the edges of the gallery-wrapped canvas. The craftsmanship reflects a representational style with attention to geological detail and light play. Condition appears excellent with no visible cracking (craquelure), fading, or surface damage. Though no signature is immediately visible on the front face, the work's provenance links it to a regional Texas artist, likely created within the last 10-20 years. The small scale suggests it was part of a series or a plein-air study, yet the level of detail indicates a finished studio piece.