Artwork > All Sculptures, Cowboys & Cowgirls > When We Gettin’ A New Cook
When We Gettin’ A New Cook
Specifications:
20″H x 6 1/2″W x 6 1/2″D
Edition of 30
SOLD OUT
Scott’s Piece Description
Perhaps the cook took ill, quit or got run off. Perhaps the boys in the outfit are taking turns with their culinary skills.
It would not have been uncommon for a man to quit an outfit if the grub wasn’t up to snuff.
In ’89, I spent a summer working a hard rock gold claim up on a remote Alaskan mountaintop. We had a crew of about ten men. After a few weeks, our cook up and left, for personal reasons. We were left high and dry to fend for ourselves – to put together our own meals. For about a week we had a rough go of it. One day, after a ten hour shift of work up on the ridge, we came into camp to the sight of a darlin’ lady who knew how to cook. Where the boss man found her – nobody cared. I know the experience worked its way out of my hide through this piece.
Folks often comment on the subtle humor in my work. I’ve learned that to say something ‘without saying it’, is often very powerful. Want a bit more exposure to the cowboy way? An out of print book, “The Cowman Says it Salty”, by Ramon F. Adams is a jewel.
Image Gallery
Curator Review
In When We Gettin’ a New Cook?, Scott Rogers captures a scene both humorous and quietly profound—a moment of rugged cowboy culture rendered in bronze. The figure’s posture, casual but pointed, tells a story before a single word is spoken. Cup and tin plate in hand, this cowboy isn’t just hungry—he’s questioning the very state of order in camp.
Rogers demonstrates a strong command of silhouette and composition here. The figure stands upright, weight shifting naturally in the hips and knees, while the diagonal of the outstretched arms creates a subtle forward momentum. This makes the sculpture feel alive, mid-thought—perhaps even mid-sentence.
The texture is deliberately rough, especially in the hat, coat, and chaps. This tactile surface echoes the grit of frontier life and stands in contrast to the smoother lines of the face and hands, where personality and emotion reside. It’s a nuanced interplay that adds character without overstatement.
Thematically, the piece channels the camaraderie and pecking order of trail life. Meals were no small matter; a good cook could make or break morale. By embedding his own lived experience into the narrative, Rogers blends humor and nostalgia with sculptural precision.
This sculpture is not just a Western scene—it’s a slice of communal survival, expressed through gesture and expression with clarity and restraint. The question posed is both literal and timeless.
Get In Touch
We’ll confirm if this sculpture is available now or reserve your place in the next casting (4–5 months).
Phone: 1.435.469.1646
Email: hello@scottrogerssculpture.com
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