By Kristin Hoerth
Attending the Cowboy Artists of America show and sale in Phoenix each October is one of the rituals of the fall art season. It usually doesn’t feel much like fall to me (and this year was no exception, with record high temperatures of 100-plus degrees), but the warm weather reflects the warmth and friendliness of the community that supports and loves the show. As usual, the 23 active CAA members put together a top-notch exhibition at the Phoenix Art Museum. During the banquet on Saturday evening, held at the elegant Ritz-Carlton Hotel, a dozen awards were handed out to the best of the best. One of the night’s big winners was sculptor John Coleman, who took best of show and the gold medal in sculpture for his piece THE GAME OF ARROWS; he also took the gold in drawing. Another big winner was painter John Moyers, who won gold in oil, silver in water solubles, and the Stetson CAA Award for the artists’ choice of best body of work.
I was especially happy to see these two artists recognized at the show because we’re also recognizing them in our pages this month. Both Coleman and Moyers are among the 20 artists in our “Success Stories” feature, in which we’re looking back at some of the artists we’ve introduced over the years and celebrating all the remarkable things they’ve achieved since then. Many of these art stars have won numerous awards, been invited to participate in prestigious shows, and seen their prices rise in proportion to their growing reputations. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about their proudest accomplishments, the principles that guide them in their creative endeavors, and the new projects to which they are devoting their time. And of course, there are many more stories of success to tell than will fit in a single issue, so we’ll be returning to this theme in the months to come. Enjoy the issue! -December 2009
Cowboy Artists of America Award-Winners
Best of Show: John Coleman
Artists’ Choice: John Moyers
Oil, Gold Medal: John Moyers
Oil, Silver Medal: Bruce Greene
Sculpture, Gold Medal: John Coleman
Sculpture, Silver Medal: Bruce Greene
Water Solubles, Gold Medal: David Halbach
Water Solubles, Silver Medal: John Moyers
Drawing & Other Media, Gold Medal: John Coleman
Drawing & Other Media, Silver Medal: Don Crowley
Traditional Cowboy Arts Association Award: Bruce Greene
Ray Swanson Memorial Award: Bill Nebeker