Primarily an ode to men and their pursuits, much of Western art relegates women to the roles of mother or a pretty face. But this summer, Cowgirl Artists of America and A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art present an exhibition that challenges those views. Through the hands of female artists and makers, “Women’s Work” brings together selected artists with women on working ranches. Given unique access to gather reference materials on site, the artists are able to expand the Western art catalog to include a more realistic portrayal of women and their varied roles in the American West. The exhibition also provides a platform for indigenous women to tell their own stories in a variety of traditional arts and crafts.
I had the opportunity to catch up with one watercolor artist as she prepared for the exhibition.
LESLIE LAMBERT | Western Watercolor Paintings
“Sharon and Rick Hawker, the owners of the Hawker Ranch in Jordan Valley, Oregon, and family of a good friend, invited me to eat dinner with them and stay over the night before the branding of the calves,” says Leslie Lambert. “The afternoon that I arrived, I did some plein air painting to loosen up. Before I knew it, two of the children were watching me and asking questions. Thus began a lesson in painting, which they enjoyed so much they asked me to come again, even inviting me to their family reunion.
“When it came time for the branding, I was allowed right in the corral, close to the action. I had considered doing more finished pieces on location, but there was so much going on so fast that it was hard to set up long enough to complete a painting. Instead, I made small quick studies that would later inform my studio pieces.
“I mostly paint landscapes these days, but I’ve done portrait work in the past, and I’ve always wanted to paint men and women working in an environment. When I saw the call for this exhibition, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. And just as I’d hoped, the experience provided me the opportunity to view how well orchestrated an event like a calf branding is. Everyone had their part to do. Couples took turns roping and giving vaccinations, even the teenage children chipped in, while the younger kids watched. The women were very much immersed in the branding, as well as the running of the ranch and the home. I could tell how much they cared about their families, the animals, and each other.”
“Cowgirl Artists of America: Women’s Work” will be on display from August 2 through September 28, 2024, at A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art in Trinidad, Colorado.
