This Issue's Opinion About Art Masterpieces: A few weeks ago I attended a lecture and showing about and of works by Renoir, Picasso, and other great artists. The exhibit included original works by those artists, as well as work by M. Judge. Mr. Judge talked about what makes a work of art a "masterpiece". It doesn't have to be pretty faces, he said, it just has to be able to tell a story and connect with you everytime you look at the painting, drawing, and so forth. The work that has that effect on the viewer is truly a masterpiece. In addition, Judge made a point often made here - too many artists are creating works which look like what every other artist is doing. Imagination, variation, differentiation - bring something else to the subject. As a buyer, you have many reasons to buy art, but to really enjoy the art, make sure it has a connection with you - that it's more than a decorative piece. Important additions and Changes The Addition Over the past few years, cowboyartshow.com has been receiving a steady flow of visitors to its inforequests.htm pages, where visitors ask for information about art they own. Included in those requests are queries about the value of their art. cowboyartshow.com has been basically relying on responses from readers of the pages who have knowledge of the works. At this time, cowboyartshow.com has a contact for art appraisals. For more information, click here. The Change Cowboy Artists and Photographers of America (CAPA), as a name, and to some degree, an entity, ceases to exist towards the end of September. In its place is Cowboy Photographers and Artists International. CAPA members are automatically transferred to the new organization, as well as much of the content on the CAPA web site. The reason for the change is two-fold: We have seen a greater emphasis on photography, and the international interest in cowboy, western, and rodeo art is growing. At the same time, the change allows the organization more latitude in its programs. The renewal date for the CAPA name online is in November. Coincidentally, CAPA received a "complaint" notice from attorneys for Cowboy Artists of America, vis-vis the similarity of the organization names. It only took four years for CAA to figure this one out, but in a way, it's nice to be recognized, although the two organizations are different, and CAA has had no impact - good or bad - on CAPA. That fact not withstanding, CAPA had no problem agreeing to a name change, which we were going to do. The new site address is http://cowboyphotograhersandartistsinternational.org, which is expected to be online by September 23. The general e-mail address is exec@cowboyphotographersandartistsinternational, and that mail address should be active by the same date. Membership is juried, and all artists fitting under the organization name are invited to become members. We have an interesting year in work. Joe Chernicoff, CAPA Exec. Director

What's New and Continuing Continuing Cholla the Artist: Cholla, the one true equine artist, has a new work posted on the Cholla Art page at enter here. The title is "Martha is Free". Leigh Walker: The folk and contemporary artist's original paintings, collages, clay sculptures, and limited edition gicleé prints and sculpture reproductions are now on exhibit. Sculpture thumbnail preview links point to exhibit and sales pages. New Two new photographers are showcased on the cowboyartshow.com's studio doorway pages. Norm Clasen's award winning photography is linked on doorway26. Click on the image to go there. At doorway 27, you will find the link to Erik Weber's fine art rodeo photography. Click on the image to go there. We would also like to welcome herdsman and cowboy photographer, and new member, Marlene McChesney, to the Cowboy Photographers and Artists International family. Her information page will be posted in October. For general art interest, AbsoluteArts.com is a good source of information about artists, galleries, and exhibits. 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.