As famous 19th century artist James McNeill Whistler once said, “An artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision.” A keen vision of the West and ranching culture has guided the Cowboy Artists of America since 1965.
At the 59th Annual CAA Exhibition and Sale, presented by the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and the Joe Beeler Foundation (the nonprofit branch of the CAA), admirers of Western art showed up to view and purchase the finest works available in sculpture, drawing, oil painting, water solubles and mixed media.
The show featured 127 remarkable works that captured the beauty, spirit and traditions of the American West. For outgoing president Michael Dudash, the show was yet another opportunity to tell the story of a unique way of life. He believes Western art is more important today than ever.
“We’re here to preserve the authenticity of Western life, the history and our cowboy culture,” he says. “For the guys who are in this organization, it goes beyond just having pretty pictures and trying to sell them. We have stayed in the CAA – some of us for decades –because of a love for art and for the traditions of our Western heritage.”
CAA members were not only rewarded for their work through sales; they were also honored for the excellence of their art through several awards. Grant Redden, who created five oil paintings and a drawing for the show, earned the prestigious Artists’ Choice Award, which recognizes the best overall exhibition and is selected by active CAA members.
Tyler Crow, who brought a collection of drawings and oils, won the Patron’s Choice Award, voted on by show attendees and sponsored by Mike and Sheila Ingram. For the award, Crow was presented a 1,000X hat from American Hats.
“The Best of Days,” an oil by Bruce Greene, won the True West Award. It is judged by a longtime cowboy with experience in the saddle and an understanding of the Western lifestyle. The award goes to the piece that best authentically represents, preserves and perpetuates the culture of the West. Greene was given a pair of M.L. Leddy boots.
“Taking It Easy,” an oil by Chad Poppleton, received the Ray Swanson Memorial Award, which honors a piece that evokes an emotional moment. Phil Epp received the Anne Marion Best of Show Award, which is selected by judges from among the four gold medal winners. His painting, “Moonlight and Showers,” was given the gold in the category of oils.
For mixed media, Mikel Donahue’s colored pencil, titled “Teller of Tall Tales,” earned the gold. In water solubles, the gold medal went to Teal Blake for “The Red Bull.” In sculpture, “Bred for the Dance,” by Greene, won top honors. In drawing, Crow earned gold for his charcoal, “When Things Get Tight.”
Silver medals were awarded in all five categories as well. They include Wayne Baize in drawing, Blake in mixed media, Dudash in oils, Alvin Marshall in sculpture, and Greene in water solubles.
The CAA Exhibition and Sale was held in Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 7–8. CAA members are looking forward to next year’s show, which will be a special 60th anniversary event.
“We have high hopes,” said Dudash, who was presented a Russell Yates bridle for his service as president. “It’s a bit of a watershed moment. This group has hung in there, looked to the future, and continued to put its best foot forward. These kinds of events don’t happen to every organization. It helps you understand why we do this. It’s about the Western art – the love the collectors have for it, the love we artists have for it, and the love of the subject matter, the culture and the history.”
