Spirit of the Cowgirl
10-artist show
Aspirit of ferocity, strength and independence connect Western artists Suzanne Baker, Vicki Catapano, Maria D’angelo, Lisa Danielle, Deborah Copenhaver Fellows, Susan Kliewer, Sarah Phippen, Marcia Molnar, Sandra Passmore Byland and
Michelle Condrat. The no-nonsense artists describe themselves as being “straight forward and fearless” and able to “bite the bullet.” Spirit of the Cowgirl, an upcoming exhibition at Mountain Trails Gallery in Sedona, Arizona, celebrates the attitudes of these powerhouse
creators through their dynamic works.
“Whether working with the history and culture of the West or presenting exciting new contemporary ways of seeing, these outstanding artists are today’s face of the American West. They do what they love to do, and they do it with a courage and a spirit that is notable in their life and their art,” says Julie R. Williams, director of Mountain Trails Gallery Sedona. The show, which is ongoing, will feature at least 25 pieces, depicting all manner of Western themes and cowgirl life, from horses to wranglers to Native American subjects.
“I painted Radiance from a photo that I took at the Grand Canyon last September. I had just finished up the Grand Canyon Celebration of Art event, and it was my last day there,” says Condrat. Vibrant, saturated hues of gold on the sheer rock face in the foreground stand out in contrast against the shadowed canyons in the backdrop. “I decided to get some last minute photos before I headed home the next day, so I took a drive up to Mohave Point...i got [there]
and walked around and took photos for a little while and sat on the edge of the cliff waiting for ‘the magical time’ when the sun would start to set and make the rocks begin to glow. And that’s just what happened! I looked out into the canyon and the way the sun was hitting the rocks made them glow bright reds and oranges…i knew I had to capture it,” she says. “Even before I went through my photos, I knew I would have to paint that moment and the way the sun radiated off the rocks in the canyon.”
Baker’s acrylic Red Rock Country Color encapsulates the equine form with incredible precision. “My husband and I were driving through [Northern Arizona] and came upon some wild horses, and with the lovely soft red rock colors, [I was] inspired to paint this scene. With my trusty camera always ready, I was able to grab a few shots of what I thought was a soft, lovely color combination and a scene one runs across in a number of places in the remote Western U.S.,” says Baker.
Spirit of the Cowgirl opens June 7 with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. The works will remain on view after the opening night.