HIDDEN HISTORIES.

Sean Michael Chavez, a Western painter based in New Mexico, focuses on the forgotten history of the vaqueros, the original cowboys of the West. Chavez, who is of Hispanic heritage, has conducted extensive research on the subject and draws inspiration from the writings of Arnold R. Rojas, who documented the stories of the last vaqueros. Chavez's paintings combine traditional and contemporary elements, and he often incorporates mathematical ratios and grids into his compositions. His work has gained recognition, and he has exhibited at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Chavez's latest exhibition, "Double Down," will be showcased at Acosta Strong Fine Art in Santa Fe. [Extracted from the article]