Cowgirl Up! Art From the Other Half of the West
Cowgirl Up! celebrates 15 years showcasing works from some of the nation’s top Western artists.
Once again, talented women artists take center stage during Desert Caballeros Western Museum’s annual Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West invitational exhibition and sale. Opening weekend this year runs from March 27 to 29, bringing in hundreds of works of art including paintings, sculpture and mixed media from artists across the country. Among those in the show and sale this year are Amanda Cowan, Judith Durr, Mejo Okon, Linda M. Budge, Sheila Cottrell and Laurie J. Lee.
The event transforms Wickenburg’s Frontier Street into a massive celebration of the arts, and one thing is abundantly clear about Cowgirl Up!—it’s a communal affair, where participating artists support and encourage one another. It’s a place for old friends to gather and
new acquaintances to be made between artists, collectors and casual visitors.
“During the quickdraw event, dozens of new works are created right in front of your eyes! I love to participate, but at the same time wish I could watch every artist’s piece come to life,” says painter Sharon Markwardt, commenting on one of the staples of the event.
“The Cowgirl Up! show is a highlight of my year. The kindness of the DCWM staff, volunteers and the townspeople of Wickenburg…and the camaraderie of the artists warms my heart. I’m reminded that the Western art world is so much bigger than the artwork alone,” says artist Sonja Caywood.
Shelby Keefe says, “Although I’ve always lived in southern Wisconsin, when I get on the road toward Colorado, Wyoming or Arizona, I feel like I am coming home…from the mountains in
Colorado, to the desert country in Arizona, to the barns and big sky in Wyoming, I have enough
inspiration to keep me happily painting for a lifetime!”
Julie Nighswonger brings to the show a painting of a herd of cattle and a striking piece depicting a white horse against a pitch-black backdrop. “This is a fantastic show! It is especially fun on opening weekend, a great opportunity to meet the artists and collectors. The energy is high and the level of artwork is top notch,” she says.
“Cowgirl Up! 2020 is raising the bar on diversity, quality and
passion…my eighth year to participate, the excitement and energy is palpable even now, let alone opening night!” says Barbara Meikle, who paints in her unmistakable wide-ranging color palette.
The unique acrylics of Maura Allen are also featured in this year’s show. “The feeling that the past is always present is a defining element of the West— and my work. It’s a respect and responsibility for the land, animals and each other,” says the artist.
As an avid storyteller, Lisa Danielle was surprised to find a third story evolve between two of her new paintings in the show. Her solemn acrylic Ways of the Old Ones contrasted with her more lighthearted Indians For A Cowgirl brought about the realization for the artist “that in only a few decades, the wild and free nomads so feared by newcomers to this continent had become a fashion statement for a new breed of wild and free women.”
Rebecca Tobey says, “The friendships I have made with my fellow artists, staff and patrons at Cowgirl Up! have grown over the past eight years of my
participation…cowgirl Up! has been and continues to be one of the high points of my career.”
Charcoal artist Rox Corbett makes representational drawings primarily of animals. Her pictures are detailed and textural, somewhat abstract in composition, and full of shadows and light. She explains that an important aspect of her work is “conveying the behavior or spirit of the animals [I depict], sometimes in humorous ways.”
Cowgirl Up! artwork will remain on view through May 10. Guests are encouraged to come out for the opening weekend, which also includes a massive quickdraw and sale.