Donny & Bill: A Family Tradition

Being one of the Cowboy Artists of America is not just about creating and selling great Western Art. As important, if not more so, are the relationships developed among active, emeritus and honorary members.  This extended CA family supports, helps, and encourages each other through illness, marriage, & even deaths.  Like all families, some relationships are closer than others, but when disagreements arise the CA family comes first.  All families have special occasions where traditions are passed down to the next generation. Bill portrays himself and honorary CA, Don Hedgpeth, historian entertainer and author, playing guitars and singing cowboy songs, during the annual CA show.  This CA family tradition also enriches the yearly trail ride, where unique friendships among all the members are nurtured and developed.   The 2009 Ray Swanson Memorial Award was given to this sculpture for,“the piece of art which best communicates a moment in time and captures the emotions of that moment.”