R.S. Riddick is a member of the prestigious Cowboy Artists of America organization. He earned the honor by creating beautifully composed, contemporary images of Southwestern cultures including Native American, Mexican American peoples and western American ranch life. Of Early to Bed, Early to Ride, Ron says, "Springtime on the ranch is calving season. Cows often give birth in the nighttime hours and sometimes they have trouble, which means cowhands have to saddle up and head out to the range before dawn. After a long hard day of work, a cowboy needs a good hot meal and a bunk for his tired body, so he can get up before the sun tomorrow—early to bed, early to ride."