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Award-Winning Western Art | Honors and Stories Behind the Paintings
Award-winning Western art tells more than stories — it honors the land, the animals, and the quiet spirit of the West. Over the years, my work has been recognized in juried exhibitions that celebrate the enduring traditions of Western life. I’m humbled to share a few of these milestones with you here.
WARA BEST OF SHOW AWARD
2020 – MOMENT OF SILENCE received the America West Frames Gift Certificate award during the WAOW – Women Artist of the West 50th Jubilee Anniversary National Exhibition & Sale, Settlers West Galleries, Tucson AZ,
2019 – MOMENT OF SILENCE was awarded 1st place in the Dry Medium category in Round 2 of the WARA – Western Art Rodeo Association’s “World Finals” online show in December of 2019.
2019 – MOMENT OF SILENCE was awarded BEST OF SHOW in the WARA – Western Art Rodeo Association’s “2019 Frontier Stampede” online show in August of 2019.
2019 – MOMENT OF SILENCE was awarded 1st place in the Dry Medium category of the WARA – Western Art Rodeo Association’s “2019 Frontier Stampede” online show in August of 2019.
The Story Behind "Moment of Silence"
In the early morning stillness of the West, moments like this are rare — when the dust settles, the horses gather, and the land itself seems to pause and breathe. Moment of Silence was inspired by a deep reverence for those fleeting, wordless connections between nature and spirit. I wanted to capture the natural kinship of the Paint horses, the unspoken bond that ranchers and wild herds alike understand without ever needing to name.
This painting holds a special place in my heart — not only because it earned Best of Show at the 2019 Western Art Rodeo Association’s Frontier Stampede online show, but also because it marked a major milestone in my journey as an artist. Moment of Silence was one of the first pieces I ever painted in pastel, and it was accepted into the prestigious Women Artists of the West (WAOW) 50th Jubilee Anniversary National Exhibition and Sale at Settlers West Galleries in Tucson, Arizona. Having it sell during such an important show was both humbling and unforgettable. It felt like a quiet confirmation that I was exactly where I was meant to be.
McCALLA AWARD FOR PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Mountain Oyster Club 51st Annual Contemporary
Western Art Show and Sale
November 22, 2020 | Mountain Oyster Club Gallery | Tucson, AZ
2020 – PEEK-A-MOO was awarded the McCalla Award for People’s Choice, Mountain Oyster Club 51st Annual Contemporary Western Art Show and Sale, Tucson, AZ.
A Fan Favorite with Heart: Peek-A-Moo
Growing up on a ranch, I saw that same curious, wide-eyed look a thousand times — the baby calves were always my favorites! That deep, adorably curious stare shines through in “Peek-A-Moo,” and it’s no surprise that this little calf has touched the hearts of so many.
“Peek-A-Moo” was honored with the McCalla Award for People’s Choice at the Mountain Oyster Club’s 51st Annual Contemporary Western Art Show and Sale in Tucson, AZ. Winning this award was incredibly meaningful to me — not only because it was selected by the Mountain Oyster Club staff and members, but because of the heartfelt legacy it honors.
Denise McCalla, the beloved longtime Art Director of the Mountain Oyster Club, was remembered as a bright spirit who loved animals and art deeply. To have “Peek-A-Moo” chosen for the award that bears her name was truly one of the most touching moments of my career.
I still have the original painting available for sale, but “Peek-A-Moo” has become one of my most popular pieces, with prints finding homes across the country — a little piece of ranch life shared with others.
ART OF THE WEST AWARD
WAOW – Women Artist of the West 51st National Exhibition & Sale
America the Beautiful
February 6 – March 19, 2021 | Museum of Western Art | Kerrville, TX
2021 – JUST EXHAUSTED received the Art of the West Award during the WAOW – Women Artist of the West 51st Nat’l Exhibition & Sale at The Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, TX
To have “Just Exhausted” recognized at a show of this caliber meant more than words can say. It wasn’t just a celebration of the work—it was a quiet affirmation of the hope, resilience, and love that we all hold onto in the hardest of times.
The original pastel painting “Just Exhausted” is available for purchase. View Details Here.
A Quiet Moment of Exhaustion and Hope
Painted during the height of an uncertain and weary season, “Just Exhausted” carries a deeply personal meaning for me.
In 2021, this tender scene of a mare and her foal—sharing a moment of pure, restful connection—was honored with the Art of the West Award at the Women Artists of the West 51st National Exhibition, held at the prestigious Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Texas.
My painting Just Exhausted – a tender scene of a mare and her foal—sharing a moment of pure, restful connection—was part of a show featuring award-winning Western art at the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Texas. It was an honor to exhibit alongside artists who share the same deep respect for cowboy life, ranch traditions, and the quiet resilience of the West.
This painting was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when exhaustion and longing for connection weighed heavily on many hearts, including my own. I poured that emotion into every layer of pastel, striving to capture not only the weariness in their expressions, but the unspoken bond that carried them through.
PUBLISHER'S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
American Plains Artists Thirty-seventh Annual Juried Exhibit
June 23, 2022 | Ft. Concho National Historic Landmark | San Angelo, TX
2022 – MOMENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT was awarded the Publisher’s Award of Excellence (Western Art Collector — Artist Focus — one-half page ad award, $3,600.00 value) during the American Plains Artists Thirty-seventh Annual Juried Exhibit & Sale in San Angelo, TX at the Ft. Concho National Historic Landmark, June 23 — August 7, 2022.
The original pastel painting Moment in the Spotlight is available for collectors who feel a connection to this bold spirit of the West. View the artwork here.
Courage, Character, and a Moment in the Spotlight
A tribute to the loyalty, strength, and quiet dignity of the horses who carried us through life’s toughest trails
There’s a certain kind of horse you never forget — steady, proud, dependable through every season of life. For me, horses like that will always bring to mind my dad’s horse, Yen — a true leader of the herd, a partner you could trust without a second thought.
Moment in the Spotlight was painted as a tribute to that kind of spirit. This piece captures the quiet dignity of a horse standing strong in a shaft of sunlight, surrounded by shadow, embodying the unspoken bond between human and horse that’s woven so deeply into Western life.
Receiving an award for this painting was humbling, but more than that, it felt like a way of honoring every good horse — like Yen — who carried us, stood by us, and left a mark on our hearts that time can’t erase. I hope when people see this painting, they feel that connection too — a reminder of the loyalty, patience, and quiet strength that lives on in every good horse we’ve ever loved.
ARTIST RETREAT AWARD
Our Heritage Guest Ranch
American Plains Artists Thirty-eighth Annual Juried Exhibit 2023
October 19, 2023 – January 4, 2024 | Pearce Museum | Corsicana, TX
2023 – THE “A” TEAM received the ARTIST RETREAT AWARD: Our Heritage Guest Ranch during the APA – American Plains Artists Thirty-eighth Annual Juried Exhibit & Sale at the PEARCE MUSEUM AT NAVARRO COLLEGE in Corisicana, TX
The Power and Pride of the Arena
There’s nothing like the heart-pounding excitement of the rodeo — and for me, nothing captures it better than the bull riding event. The raw strength of the bulls, the daring skill of the riders, and the electric tension between them has always been one of my favorite parts of rodeo life.
The A Team was painted as a tribute to the incredible power, athleticism, and beauty of the bulls themselves. Watching them leave the arena, heads high and muscles rippling, you can’t help but admire the pride and spirit they carry.
In 2023, The A Team was honored with the Artist Retreat Award from Our Heritage Guest Ranch during the American Plains Artists Thirty-eighth Annual Juried Exhibit & Sale at the Pearce Museum in Corsicana, Texas.
Receiving this award was deeply meaningful to me — not only as an artist but as someone who has always admired the spirit of the rodeo and the incredible animals that are the heart of it.
As part of this ongoing journey, I’m honored to be a Signature Member of Cowgirl Artists of America and an Associate Member of Women Artists of the West. These organizations celebrate the contributions of women in Western Art and provide opportunities to connect with others who share a deep respect for Western heritage, storytelling, and craftsmanship.
Thank you for taking the time to explore the stories and moments behind my award-winning Western Art. Each piece reflects a connection to the land, the animals, and the working people who continue to shape the legacy of the American West. I’m grateful to share this journey with you.
“Art is a collaboration between God and the artist and the less the artist does the better.”
~ Andre Gide
