Like most of artist Steve Hanks’ paintings, there are rich layers of meaning and emotion in "Field of Dreams," his entry into the 2012 prestigious, national invitational Prix de West. Everything in this vertical composition points to the young girl’s dreams as the eye is drawn from her Western boots to her hair to the horse’s face to the road that carries you finally to the shining mountains on the horizon.

The connection between the girl and her horse is intimate and we can practically smell the animal and feel its breath on her shoulder. Strong and absolutely trustworthy, the beloved horse is her most faithful con-fidant. This painting is about hopes and dreams that are shared and com-municated in silence. Art can do that, too. - SH