After the September 11, 2001 attack, and through the present date, one of the ways Americans have begun to recoup some of our basic values has been a return to the American West and the cowboy life as it was up until just a few decades past. Playing "cowboys and Indians" was one of the most popular games for kids from all geographical areas, and Western movies played a big part of many a child's Saturday afternoons (along with the dishes their mothers wanted, which were given out by the theatre,
all for one thin dime). The cowboy action movie represented a clear line between good and evil, and if everyone took to heart the fact that the good guy always won, well, then, life would be great.
Things have certainly changed over the past century, and one of the biggest changes has been the defining of that line between good and evil.
With so many permutations of both sides of the line, it's no wonder that people have such a difficult time making decisions as to what is right. The growing re-interest in cowboy art is said to be a search to find the "good old simple times" when knowing what to do didn't require the intense study of conditions extant today.
The cowboy concept represented, for most of us, the "good" that existed in life. Cowboy art, in all its manifestations, can and will help all of us to appreciate and understand what it was that we always wanted but no longer seem quite able to find.
Joe Chernicoff, CAPA Exec. Director
Read Bob Kinford's new adventure , "Bull Ridin' Bug" "Bull Ridin' Bug". Rodeo fans are gonna luv this one. And if you haven't entered the drawing at cowboyartshow.com yet, you should do do before the June 15 deadline. One of Bob's books is a main prize.
is now online. If you enjoy reading about the adventures and mishaps that are a regular part of ranch life, you'll enjoy Bob's stories.
Good cowboy humor usually is wry, dry and witty. Better yet a top cowboy humorist has no fear and takes good-natured potshots at his own or any other large ego that comes within his sights. However his true talent
lies in showing us how to share the laugh when we shoot ourselves, rather than someone else in the foot. In Cowboy Romance Bob Kinford has mastered the genre.
The book subtitle itself is a subtle stab at "all the Madison Avenue and Hollywood hype" about the romance of the American West. On the realistic one hand, Kinford knows there's nothing romantic about horse sweat,
hornflies and a lot of the other givens in the ranch cowboy's experience. On the romantic other hand the author somewhat proudly appreciates the magnificent appeal the West and his lifestyle hold for so many and
wants to share it with them from his perspective.
As a result, Kinford makes it easy for anyone, including those who aren't ranch raised to follow the action. "Cowboy Literate", the first of his essays, entertains as it explains working cowboy terminology used
throughout the book. With that as a foundation, almost any reader will be able to appreciate Kinford's other commentaries: "Da Bull and da Professor," "Bureau of Lost Minds," "As The Hairbrains Turn" and more.
Therein lies the appeal of Cowboy Romance: Kinford never makes his reader feel ignorant for not knowing the West as he knows it, nor does he hold himself above the reader as a last, great icon of the American
West. Instead he puts tongue in cheek and dares the reader to find the romance in his west.
Rodeo Schedules and Information
For rodeo schedules and information - including barrel racing schedules, visite:
Real cowboy stories at cowboyartshow.com
Additional Rodeo Schedule sites
| Your News in important to us! Send your local cowboy art news, rodeo schedules, personalities facts - all information we may be able to use here. Use this form. |
Marc Houde, Widlife and Western Art
Current and Future Events of Interest
April 19, 2003 10am-8pm
ArtNetwork, Dick Blick Art Materials, The Cultural Connection, Contemporary
Artist Services, Lankershim Art Gallery, ArtPeople.com, Danielak Art, the Valley Artists
Guild and scores of other arts organizations from Southern California and across America are
joining forces.
MAKE CONNECTIONS… MAKE A DIFFERENCE. It’s all part of the
Call to Arts! Expo which takes place at Cal State Northridge on Saturday, April 19th from 10
am to 8 pm. Full details can be found at the Expo website.
July 10, 2003 5:00PM
For information or call 403-261-0101.
The cover of the 2002 Western Art Auction Catalog. As a note of interest, CAPA members Margor Petterson and Val Moker had work included in the 2002 auction.
For those of you in PA, NJ, DEL, NY & CT Peter Campbell is coming to Willow Brook Farms in October. This man is special amongst a group of special clinicians we have out there today. I saw him 2 years ago at Willow Brook, and his patience, knowledge, talent and communication ability are unsurpassed. If you can make it, this is one winning clinic to attend no matter what your level of horsemanship.
Peter Campbell Welcomes You To The Willing Partners Web Site or visit Willow Brook
[contributed by Gail Gunther]
Equine Photographers Network meeting and workshop is planned for May 15-18 in Chincoteague, Virginia:
CAPA Member News
Mark Holt & Kimberlee Holt Tully receive three "Best Western Nominations" for 2003 by the Academy of Western Artist
Kenny Walton won the Stampede artist of the year award for the second year in a row.
They are nominated for "Best Western Duo/Group", "Rising Stars", and Mark Holt received a nomination for "Best Western Male Performer".
