Last Drop from his Stetson

This sculpture was commissioned by the grandson of John Stetson, inventor of the acclaimed Stetson hat. It was based on an image of a painting by western artist Lon Megargee, embroidered on the inside of each Stetson hat. His painting is a head-on view of a quarter horse and cowboy taking a brief respite where the horse quenches his thirst from the inside of the Stetson hat. The painting by Lon Megargee perfectly represents the marketing strategy developed by Stetson, that sold the hat as practical and utilitarian as well as fashionable. The original Stetson hat had a wider brim that protected its wearer from the harsh western sun, and as depicted here serves as a tool and compassionate link between horse and man. I did my best to honor the tremendous legacy of Stetson and pay proper homage to the iconic work of Lon Megargee.