As a child, a tinker, a tailor, a cowboy, a sailor was the rhyme that played through my head. There was no doubt in my mind I was going to seek out a cowboy. A few months after my marriage to my husband, Larry, in 1966 we took on our first ranch job. It was a way of life that brought us a lot of pleasure, even though it came with long hours and very few days off.
My love for horses inspired me to draw them in pencil at a young age. When I began painting in the early 80s, it was clear that my passion for horses and cowboys would be the focus of my work.Over the years I have experimented with different mediums. My preference is oil, but I occasionally use acrylic or pencil. My subject may stray from cowboys to a landscape, an old barn, or wildlife, but it still reflects my love of the West.Early on I took as many workshops as I could fit into my busy schedule, including a week with Robert Bateman, Veryl Goodnight, and Jack and Jessica Hines in 1987. In the past few years, I have focused less on workshops and more on developing my own style. However, more recently I did get to spend a couple of days with the incredibly talented Matt Smith. My shelves are packed with rows of art books, videos, and magazines that constantly push me to expand my boundaries and improve my work.The show circuit throughout Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Montana was a big part of my life for many years and exposed me to many wonderful artists that became my mentors and friends. After moving to Cambridge, Idaho in 1991, I opened a small gallery, and 3 years later growing pains led me to move into my current 4000-square-foot building. It showcases not only my art but the works of other local artists and crafters. It also includes a frame shop and classroom.I have received countless awards over the years, including many “Best of Shows” and“People’s Choices” but my most coveted are two ”Best of Shows” from the National Western Art Show in Ellensburg, Washington, as this award is voted on by fellow artists. In 2019, I took “World Champion” in the online art contest at “Western Art Rodeo”. In 2022, I have received best in Category 3 times in the online, PleinAir Salon competition.My paintings and prints hang in many private homes not only in the US but France, Germany, England, Holland, and Japan. I also have a piece in Albertson’s Corporate Headquarters permanent collection. Two of my paintings were featured on the cover of New Mexico Stockman magazines.
Statement
The rapidly shrinking West and vanishing cowboy way of life has pushed meto capture the essence of this time in history before it is gone. I strive to capturethe dress and regalia of each cowboy in his native setting. No matter which mediumor subject I choose, I strive for accuracy, good composition and to tell a story