Passing Moments: The Photography of Ken Young

September 6, 2006 to November 5, 2006

Returning to Lubbock in 1993, Ken married his childhood sweetheart and continued to work on commissioned sculptures. He and his wife, Dinah, moved to a five-acre pecan orchard in Roaring Springs, Texas, where they have created "a small piece of paradise that includes multiple gardens."

But in 2002, after a series of mini-strokes caused by 30 years of metal dust, the sculptor turned back to the thing he had been doing all along, just because he loved it. Ken Young put down his torch and brought his photography out front. He says he couldn't be happier. 

His fine art photographs are usually produced as giclees, a digital process that creates archival-quality images that will last for many years. He believes that the real test of time is how the viewer feels about the work. We suspect that is what prompted the folks at the historic Matador Ranch (in Motley Co., about 80 miles from Lubbock) to hire Young to document their operations.

All of the photographs on exhibit were taken in Texas. Of course the place and the subject are important, but the timing is a very special factor. As the artist describes it:

"We live in a great area and the Lord continually puts me in the right place. My images are not something I can plan but something I have to be always ready for. Whether it's a passing cloud, a newborn colt or a disappearing lifestyle, they are all images never to be seen again. I am blessed with the ability and talent to see and capture these passing moments in time." 

Teamin' Up
7 by 7 inch on fine art paper - $250
This beautiful team is owned by Jimbo Humphreys, the manager of the Guitar Ranch, just west of Dickens. Jimbo also is the creator of some of the finest spurs around.

Waitin' on a Calf
9 by 13 inch on fine art paper - $300
Tim Washington is the flanker at one of the brandings on the Matador Ranch.

West Texas Highway
7 by 7 inch on fine art paper - $250
While shooting landscapes at the Mott Creek Ranch, owned by Marisu Potts-Powell, I felt someone looking at me. As soon as I turned and shot this, the cow moved on. Just wanted a little attention.

Prowler in the Pasture
20 by 30 inch on metallic photo paper - $750
This is the same pasture on the Matador Ranch where I shot Gilbert. From a distance I saw the head and ears moving fast through the grass. I stopped driving, jumped out and slammed the door to stop the coyote just long enough to get this. 

Gilbert in the Gold
11 by 11 inch on fine art paper - $300
As I rode with Gilbert through part of the Matador Ranch one winter we topped the Caprock to this pasture of gold. I was amazed and he thought I was crazy. Somehow I convinced him to walk into the grass and when he turned, I fired. This is one of my favorite portraits.

Winners
20 by 40 inch giclee on canvas
Tim and Deana Washington of the Matador Ranch, with three of the ranch horses that Tim has trained and shown.

Deep Cut
9 by 13 inch on fine art paper - $300
A digital impression of a cowboy in a cutting competition at the Matador Ranch.

The Last Trail
20 by 30 inch on fine art paper - $750
This cowboy is Bob Kilmer, manager of the Matador Cattle Co. It shows one of the most important parts of ranching; driving cattle to market.

After the Storm
9 by 13 inch on fine art paper - $300
This is not sky by rather the back side of a huge storm cloud that had passed through Roaring Springs just before sunset. It overlooks a piece of the Hamilton Ranch starting at the east edge of town.

Full Moon Rising
24 by 36 inch giclee on canvas - $850
While waiting for the sunset to be at its best over Dude's ranch, I looked behind me and was given this gift of the moon rising. Seldom do you see this much color on the moon side.

Tools of the Trade
9 by 13 inch on fine art paper - $300
Everything they wear and use for branding has purpose.

Dude Barton
11 by 11 inch
Dude is now 83 and still runs the family ranch. She is in the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame. She made this frame from wood of the old house that she grew up in. I'm proud to call her my friend.

Sunset on the South Pease River Ranch
16 by 40 inch on fine art paper - $800
This ranch, just south of Roaring Springs, is owned by the Stafford Cattle Co. Bob Stafford, one of the owners, is on the Texas Tech Board of Regents.

Bill's Baby
9 by 13 inch on fine art paper - $300
This mare and colt are on the B&B Ranch owned by Bill and Barbara Armstrong of Matador.

Baby Buckskin
9 by 13 inch on fine art paper - $300
This colt at the Spur Ranch, run by Bill and Dana Smith, ran the cowboys around for some time before finally getting her in the pen for branding.

Eye to Eye
9 by 13 inch on fine art paper - $300
The palomino filly belongs to Roy Hobbs of Matador and the blue roan stud colt is owned by Johnney Turner of Lubbock and Flomont, Texas.

Colt in the Grass
9 by 13 inch on fine art paper - $300
While taking family portraits of the Lewis Drum family on their ranch, I was taken with this new colt. Lewis raises fine horses in and around Roaring Springs.

The Farris Ranch Sunrise
16 by 40 inch on fine art paper - $800
While waiting for the cowboys to drive the cattle up for branding, I was given this sunrise gift. The Farris, once part of the Matador Ranch, joins forces with the Francis Ranch to brand.

The Last Storm
16 by 40 inch giclee on canvas - $800
This old house, about a mile from my orchard in Roaring Springs, was the oldest standing house in the town. The next storm took it down.

Golden Oaks
24 by 36 inch giclee on canvas - $850
This digital impression was shot somewhere on the Matador Ranch but could be on any number of ranches nearby. Beauty lies all around us.

Cutting Competitors
9 by 13 inch on fine art paper - $300
A digital impressing of Bob Kilmer, manager of the Matador Ranch, during the cutting competition at the Old Settlers' Rodeo in Roaring Springs. Look at the strength in the calf and the horse and the visual connection between calf, man and horse.

West Salt Creek
11 by 11 inch on fine art paper - $300
One day while riding with JD Russell, assistant manager of the Matador Ranch, he took me to see one of his favorite views. Needless to say I was very impressed with the view.

Sun Setting Over the Matador
11 by 11 inch on fine art paper - $300
This is the first image I took on the Matador Ranch, and it's the one that got me the contract shooting for the Matador. Dinah and I were at a street dance in the town of Matador when I noticed the potential for a great sunset. We rushed to the truch and headed out looking for something to put in front of the sunset. At 70 mph I passed the new ranch gate and hit my brakes. Couldn't have planned this moment any better.

Three Amigos
20 by 30 inch on fine art paper - $750
A digital impression which started from a photograph taken after an all-day session of branding on the Farris Ranch east of Matador. Tom Farris, Monte Williams and David Patterson.

Cottonball Skies
30 by 30 inch giclee on canvas - $850
This image came while hiking in the riverbed of Caprock Canyon. The canyon wall was about 12 feet above me and was a perfect setting for getting these great Texas textures against this sky.

Boots
9 by 13 inch on fine art paper - $300
While on a morning break from branding on the Matador Ranch, I got this image without them even knowing.

Mares and Colts
30 by 30 on fine art photo paper - $850
Another digital impression of mothers, babies and good ol' West Texas landscape.

Wings at Sunset
16 by 40 inch on fine art paper - $800
As I headed to Floydada I had to stop for the sunet. Once outside the truck I heard the geese. With a little patience, they came into the shot right on cue. As most of us know, there's someone above really in control.

A Bull and His Babes
11 by 11 inch on fine art paper - $300
While driving east of Matador, I spotted this bull with his herd. I spent nearly 30 minutes trying to line up this shot. Every time I was ready the bull would move.

Pot of Gold
24 by 36 inch giclee on canvas - $800
Most assume the title depicts the golden wheat field, but there is far more. In West Texas our pot of gold comes from God providing life-giving water. Then man steps in and tries to harness its use with windmills that bring life to our land and stock. I pass this scene many times a year traveling to and from Lubbock. I told Dinah that someday there would be a great sky that would make it special. Within the month I was given this moment.

Gathering the Mares
9 by 13 inch on fine art paper - $300
Tim Washington of the Matador Ranch is helping Bill Smith at the Spur Ranch to gather the mares and colts for branding. I'm especially taken with the competition between the cowboys and the horses.

Midnight Snow
20 by 30 inch on fine art paper - $750
Late one night while unloading the truck in our orchard I looked out to the field west of us, once Matador Ranch land, and saw the moon filtering through the cloud layer onto the soft dusting of fresh snow. This rare moment is a 30-second exposure that captured me.

Copyright © 2003, National Ranching Heritage Center