Beverly Caputo, Painter, #WesternArtWednesday

Today I get to introduce a talented painter, Beverly Caputo!

Me And My Quarter Horse   

                                                                          

                                                                         

Life story:

I have been working as a professional artist for over twenty five years. I feel very blessed to have been able to make a career with my art. This artistic journey is truly an evolving process I have found. I am self taught. Born with the artistic talent and just always knew I would spend my life being an artist. The first half of my artistic career was spent working with commercial clients and a move in 2002 brought a shift to working more in a fine art capacity with my business. What I found after over twenty years of working in the commercial field of art was that I really wasn't enjoying the work. So, I did a bold thing. I packed up my horse and belongings and moved to Nevada where I currently reside.

Pacific Coast  Cutting Horse Association Commission

Day job:
I continue to work full time as an artist specializing in murals, commissioned portraits and paintings, as well as creating works that I sell as original paintings and prints.

Jobe's Peak Mountain, Canvas Painting, Private Commission

How I was introduced to art:
I was born with the artistic talent and was drawing and painting at an early age. My subject matter of choice at that time in particular was of course horses.

Private Portrait commission

What got me started as an artist:
I always knew I would pursue a career in art and did so by the age of eighteen when I was hired as a production artist with an advertising agency in Florida. I worked in that industry for ten years before moving to Los Angeles where I worked in the entertainment industry as an illustrator creating conceptual and storyboard art. A move to Nevada in 2002 brought a transition from commercial work to more fine art by specializing in murals, portraits, and canvas commissions for businesses and private clients.

 Minden Creamery, NV, Circa 1800s, Canvas Painting

Gardnerville Hotel, NV, Circa 1800s, Canvas Painting

What type of subject matter:
When doing private commissions it is always the client's choice of subject matter, but, my favorite general subject matter is western themed animals and landscapes.  In fall of 2014 I started the "Cowgirls & Cows Collection". I have always been a horse owner and animal lover and started doing these fun colorful western themed paintings featuring cowgirls and their trusted equines as well as other farm/ranch themed paintings. These paintings are somewhat of a style departure from my realistic portrait commissions and mural work. These are a combination of western meets fantasy and have a lot bold color and fun themes. The paintings have been popular and I am now offering the images as prints and on merchandise as well. After working as a commission artist all my life this series of paintings have been fun because I get to paint what ever my heart desires...every artist dream! Each painting has its own unique inspiration and that makes it fun as an artist.

Private Commissions Portrait

Advice to an artist who is starting out:
This would be my advice for any artist wanting to do this full time professionally. Make a business plan. Set a trajectory for where you want to see yourself as an artist in the next ten years or so. If you want to do this full time and make a living you must think of what you are doing as a business and make plans and set goals to keep you moving forward. This is something I had to learn as I jumped directly from high school in to becoming a working artist and with economic fluctuations and technological advances my approach to earning a living as an artist has had to change over the years. For a working artist like myself you have to be able to split your time between creating art and doing all of the marketing. The marketing that it takes to land commissions and sales, and that means traditional marketing, as well taking advantage of social media to spread your brand and of course drive traffic to your website and merchandising sites.

Grand Tetons, Canvas Painting

She Ropes Cattle, From The Cowgirls & Cows Collection

She's Over The Moon, From The Cowgirls & Cows

Collection

Contact Info:
Beverly A. Caputo
www.beverlycaputo.com
bacart2002@yahoo.com
(775)790-1249

http://www.redbubble.com/people/beverlyart/portfolio?ref=carousel_portfolio
http://www.artpal.com/bacart2002
http://www.cafepress.com/profile/132306882
https://society6.com/beverlycaputo

Herefords, Canvas Painting

 If you liked today's #WesternArtWednesday post be sure to check out the #WesternArtWednesday index page to see past features! Sign up for the Cowgirl Mama newsletter up on the right side of the page so you'll never miss another post

Skye Clarke Photography, #WesternArtWednesday

Today I get to introduce another real Cowgirl who takes great photos preserving the traditions she's grown up with.
I give you, Skye Clarke!

- Life Story
I was born and raised in Smoot, Wyoming where I still live.  I grew up ranching and my parents were also outfitters, so I grew up in the hunting business also.  My mom worked for LD Frome as a cook for his wilderness pack trips, and she took me 35 miles a horse back into the Yellowstone Wilderness when I was 6 weeks old to live for the summer.  I literally grew up on a horse and outdoors.  I have been self employed my entire life, and have done everything from building fence & hay sheds to feeding elk for the game and fish, break colts, feed cattle for another rancher in the winter, and also started my own fitness business.

My dad, Reed Clark shaking hands with Caleb Munns this fall when we were pre-conditioning fall calves.  Dad had his thumb tore off this spring, and it's still tender, so he's shaking left handed.

- Day Job (if other than art)
I run 350 head of mother cows and am a fitness trainer and nutritionist also.

Will James Days in Hardin, MT.  Pick up men hurrying to save the bronc buster

- How did you get introduced to your art? 
I have always loved photographs, so in the fall of 2014 I bought a camera just to take pictures of my family at brandings and general ranch work.  I have always looked at things different, and soon I started taking pictures every chance I got.  I am completely self taught, and still don't know what a lot of the camera functions are or do, but I shoot what I see.

My saddle

- tell me about your subject matter
 It's of anything and everything you would find on a working ranch.  Some ranchers sport more of the buckaroo style, others not so much.  My images are anything from a cow calving, to roping, to feeding hay with a team to cow dogs and the country we run cattle in.

Ken Clark shoeing a horse

- What advice would you give to someone just getting started as an artist?
 Be yourself!  Shoot as much as you can, then review your images and figure out what works and what doesn't.  Set your own style.  Do what is true for you.  Don't copy others (you can get ideas from looking at other artists images), but set yourself apart and shoot what you love!  If you are shooting what you love and enjoy, it will show in your work.

 "Peanut" looks in the back door of the old horse barn on the High Lonesome Ranch up South Cottonwood Creek near Daniel, Wy

where can people find you online?
http://skyeclark.smugmug.com to order prints,

https://www.facebook.com/skyeclarkphotography/ 

and my personal page:
https://www.facebook.com/skye.clark.94

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/skyeclarkimages/

TJ Horton throwing a Del Viento loop at a branding



Here's a few more pictures to enjoy before you go!

 My uncle, Lyman Clark wondering what the hell that guy is talking about.

 Josie Vorous talking to her dog, Peach on her roan horse when we were gathering cattle off the range

Smoke and Shadows.  Branding calves for the Grindstone outfit in Daniel, WY

 Jak Christensen's cowboy gear

Ken Clark breaking a colt to work in Smoot, Wy.  Dogs are supervising

Bondurant, WY.  Lenny Campbell has his 4 up loaded with loose hay to feed cows.  -25 below zero.

My brother, Gabe Clark holding his son Jak as he brands a calf.

 If you liked today's #WesternArtWednesday post be sure to check out the #WesternArtWednesday index page to see past features! Sign up for the Cowgirl Mama newsletter up on the right side of the page so you'll never miss another post

Western Art Wednesday For Kids Announcement

Today I'm doing something a little different.
I'm putting out a call for folks that help spread our Western heritage to the younger generation!
Do you know someone who teaches kids how to rope, ride, do metalwork, leatherwork etc?
Do you have a favorite toymaker for authentic farm toys?
Do you know a young person that is already working to preserve our heritage?
Send me their name or have them contact me!
I want to start having a Western Art Wednesday For Kids in the new year!
I'm hoping to do #WAW4Kids once a month starting in January, if I get a nomination that quickly. So please, send me those names!

Email me at: cowgirlmama14@yahoo.com

Geri Dunn, Pencil Art. #WesternArtWednesday

Today I have the honor of introducing yet another great artist! (Its so tough having to immerse myself in great art every week I tell ya... ;) )
But you don't want to hear from me, so here is

Geri Dunn!

- Life Story/How did you get introduced to art/How did I get started:

I simply love what I do and I knew that from a very young age.   I am inspired by the simple beauty that
surrounds me.

Born in Lawndale, California, I moved with my family in the late 70's to the Santa Ynez Valley, just north of Santa Barbara. I took up drawing with a pencil the summer I turned 9 and was captivated by a natural gift to draw whatever I laid my eyes on. When I turned 18, I set my artwork aside. 10 years later, after marrying my best friend, I picked up the pencils again, and forgot how much I loved drawing.  I found the direction and passion that influences my artwork today.

Although I have had no formal training in the arts, I have been greatly influenced by Robert "Shoofly" Shufelt
and Frank McCarthy.  All of my drawings are carefully thought out months before the pencil ever hits the paper.
I use a wide range of graphite drafting pencils to create each piece of work.  Each blank piece of paper is carefully
selected to make sure there are no flaws within the paper.  I choose Bristol Board paper, with a Vellum finish, and skillfully develop several layers of graphite to create the illusion of depth and realism in each drawing.

I knew at an early age that my passion was art. My interest in the West manifested itself through
childhood drawings, and impressions gathered while growing up in a small town, rich with
ranching history. A self-confessed dreamer, I strive to go beyond just the basic techniques of
drawing, trying to convey the mood and feeling of the subject within all of my drawings.  I hope
that my pencil drawings make the art come to life.  In doing so, I want my sensitivity and
painstaking eye for detail to give my work a depth and dimension that is truly unique.
     
I am actively involved with the American Plains Artist Society , Women Artists of the West
and Southwestern Premier Artists.

"Taking a Break"  16"x22" This was one of my earlier pieces, created in 2011, but still my all-time favorite drawing. I had promised a few high school girls who were competing in the local Gymkhana events that I would take photos of them competing.  It was a very warm summer day, with very little shade, and it was sure dusty. One of the girls let their horse stray under the Spanish Oak tree while they went to take a break. This horse was an amazing athlete - he could easily turn on a dime, and you could tell when he ran, he absolutely loved going fast. His coloring was so beautiful, and the way the shadows danced upon him that day under the shade tree - I could only hope to recreate this beauty. I waited for several years before I convinced myself I had the ability to capture the beauty of this moment. Whenever I see this drawing, it takes me back to that dusty, warm day. 


Day Job (if other than art) Due to personal reasons, I currently am working a full time job, with the Dept of Education. Due to the nature of my business, I would rather not discuss this since there's not much I can say about it for security reasons. Eventually when things get back on track, my plan is to pick back up where I left off a year ago, pursuing my art career with full vigor.

"New Paint"  11"x14" Most of my drawings this size take an average of 80-120 hours to accomplish. "Fresh Paint" takes me back to a treasured memory, now several years old. I used to live on a horse ranch, sandwiched in between several horse ranches, with varying horse breeds. The ranches were interconnected, so you could walk from one ranch to another without having to go out to the main road. From my front door, my little Sheltie and I would walk throughout these ranches, past the Icelandic horses, Arabians, Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses and finally to my favorite - the paint horses. Late Spring was a perfect time to watch the babies being frisky in the back pastures, sun bathing and grazing next to mama.  Maybe because this scene played itself out so often, when I started this drawing, I completed it in just 8 hours


Tell me about your subject matter, (ie just horses, just buckaroo style, rodeo etc. ) My subject matter works itself around the western lifestyle, which includes cowboys, cattle gatherings and horses.

"Cool & Composed"  11"x14" Many of my drawings take a "snapshot" of a piece of the action. Such is the case with this drawing. I love putting in the small details of the drawing, especially the shadows playing across the gloves, the ribs of the rope, and the weathered jean shirt. It takes a closer look at an everyday image for those gathering cattle. During a cattle gathering, there is so much taking place, it becomes a blur of activity. This snapshot drawing creates a closer inspection of the calm, cool, composed nature required to get the job done efficiently. This piece was recently accepted in the Bosque Museum Art Show located in Clifton, Texas.

- What advice would you give to someone just getting started as an artist? The hardest thing any artist wants to hear is their work is not perfect. It requires patience, practice and a lot of hard work. The best thing any artist can do is to solicit feedback from other artists - preferably during a time when it works best for the artist you are reaching out to. For instance, if you meet an artist at a local art festival, this would be a good time to meet them, make contact discussing a better time to connect with them. This would not be a good time to bring your entire portfolio to the art festival for a critique session, since that artist is trying to scratch out a living that weekend at the festival. Be courteous, and follow up after the art festival. Finally, never quit learning - never quit pushing yourself. As an artist if we don't grow, we become stagnant and dissatisfied in the whole process of creating art.

"Brotherly Love"  16"x22" This is one of my favorite pieces. My very talented cousin, Brianna Burkett took the picture of her horses right before leaving to go for a ride. The love between these two brothers is very evident. I love the graceful arch of the horses neck, and the simplicity of this composition. To make my artwork "pop" off the paper, I incorporate a lot of dark tones next to very light tones. This contrast has the effect of creating depth. This drawing is a perfect example of utilizing all shades of graphite pencils to create this effect. This piece was recently accepted into the AQHA "Horses in Art" Museum Show located in Amarillo, Texas.

"Four Irons in the Fire"  8"x10" Quite often, I'm amazed to talk with people who don't understand black and white graphite drawings. What I've discovered is some people really can't see color when looking at something black and white. Such is the case with this drawing. At a recent art festival, the person I was talking to couldn't see the grayish-black smoke wafting around the branding irons. They insisted there was no orange or yellow in the flames licking out of the wood stacked at the heart of the fire. When I look at this drawing, taken from a local branding, I see the shades of gray as the fire takes hold. I catch myself almost mesmerized, watching the flickering yellow, oranges and reds dancing within the irons and reaching skyward. I recall the exact shades of that day, as well as the sounds and smells that brings a smile to my face, and takes me to the place where I call home. As an artist, I hope that others get caught up in my drawings and it takes them to a place that makes them feel happy and free.

.Where can people find you online? I am located on Facebook, Twitter (@Geri_Dunn ), and my website, www.geridunn.com, as well as my blog: Shades of Graphite
Get the story behind every drawing. Visit my blog!!!Want to see what's new? Where I'll be next? Enjoy viewing my website

 If you liked today's #WesternArtWednesday post be sure to check out the #WesternArtWednesday index page to see past features! Sign up for the Cowgirl Mama newsletter up on the right side of the page so you'll never miss another post