Unbuttoned Earl

The Earl

Took some time to finish this one of the Earl today. He did start out in a suit originally, but he decided to take if off half way through the proceedings. Actually, as I was painting, I was mulling over a scene in my western where the Earl is getting dressed, so it kinda turned into that.
The reason for his slightly melancholy facial expression is due to the love of his life having once again declined his marriage proposal. He has been asking her for years and she keeps saying no. Not because she doesn't love him, but because her outspoken nature and tomboy appearance is somewhat at odds with the Earl's ambition to become governor and she has no intention of changing her ways for any man. To further add to the Earl's heartache, the girl has recently taken a very keen interest in a wounded marshal whom she patched up after a shooting incident. Sometimes the Earl wonders why life seems to hate him... makes me feel kinda guilty ;-)