After returning East , Remington was sent by '' Harper 's Weekly '' to cover the 1886 Charleston earthquake . To expand his commission work , he also began doing drawings for '' Outing '' magazine . His first year as a commercial artist had been successful , earning Remington $ 1,200 , almost triple that of a typical teacher . He had found his life 's work and bragged to a friend , " That 's a pretty good break for an ex cow-puncher to come to New York with $ 30 and catch on it ' art ' . " For commercial reproduction in black-and-white , he produced ink and wash drawings . As he added watercolor , he began to sell his work in art exhibitions . His works were selling well but garnered no prizes , as the competition was strong and masters like Winslow Homer and Eastman Johnson were considered his superiors . A trip to Canada in 1887 produced illustrations of the Blackfoot , the Crow Nation , and the Canadian Mounties , which were eagerly enjoyed by the reading public
1886 Charleston earthquake
1886 Charleston earthquake
Frederic Remington