Edwards captures a moment of joy and ease during a trail ride, centering a Black woman confidently mounted on horseback as she raises a red Solo cup in celebration. The gesture signals the social, communal nature of trail rides, where riding is as much about fellowship and pleasure as horsemanship. Women play a vital role within Black horsemen associations and trail ride culture as riders, organizers, caretakers, and culture bearers, shaping these spaces through leadership and presence. Edwards depicts her subject with strength and playfulness, emphasizing self-possession, visibility, and the lived, contemporary reality of Black equestrian life.

Ridin' Smooth Enough Not To Spill Your Cup, 2026

Oil, cold wax on canvas

42x52”

You are looking at a painting entitled Ridin' Smooth Enough Not To Spill Your Cup which captures a lighthearted, celebratory moment during a trail ride, centering a Black woman seated confidently atop her horse in a lush outdoor landscape. With one arm raised high, she holds a bright red Solo cup, a familiar symbol of casual gathering and shared enjoyment. The gesture immediately connects the scene to the social, playful spirit of trail rides, where riding becomes as much about community and leisure as the activity itself.

The rider smiles broadly, eyes closed, her posture relaxed and self-assured. Long golden braids fall down her back, animated with subtle highlights that echo the horse’s motion beneath her. She wears a navy short-sleeve shirt and blue jeans, grounded by a patterned saddle blanket that adds color and rhythm to the composition. The horse’s muscular brown body is rendered with layered oil and cold wax, its sheen and shifting weight conveying quiet strength and steadiness.

A second horse enters the foreground, its pale mane sweeping across the canvas and creating depth and movement. Behind them, a vivid green field and dense trees stretch under a soft blue sky. At 42 x 52 inches, the work immerses the viewer in the joy, freedom, and communal pleasure of trail riding.