When the Cowboy Artists of American presents its 60th exhibition in Denver on October 2 and 3, the group will be joined by two guest artists, Shawn Cameron and Thomas Blackshear II. The two well-respected painters represent a major milestone for the group: Cameron is the first woman who has shown with the group as a guest artist, and Blackshear is the first Black artist.
Shawn Cameron, Monsoon Blessings, oil, 20 x 24 in.
The CAA has long been known for its exclusive membership, which requires a nomination from an existing member and a majority vote from the active members, so membership has hovered, in recent years, around 20 members. Within the last several years, the group has invited guest artists to participate in the annual fall show, which has allowed the group to exhibit like-minded artists who paint or sculpt the West.
“We weren’t looking to check any boxes with these choices. It just felt like a good time and an obvious choice for these two artists because they are exceptional painters,” Mikel Donahue, the current CA president, says. “Shawn and her husband go way, way back with the group, in part because they are prominent ranchers and we have had great ties with them. With Thomas, I’ve known his work back from our advertising days. He and [C. Michael] Dudash go back, too. He is a well-respected painter and he’s doing exciting work. We are very thrilled to have both of these artists at the show.”
Shawn Cameron, When Days are Long, graphite and charcoal on board, 12 x 9 in.
When invited to participate, Cameron was overjoyed and humbled. “I am extremely honored to be the first woman ever invited to exhibit with this prestigious group of Western artists. I feel I’ve been given a special gift, one I never dreamed of,” she wrote in a statement. “I am beyond thankful for this opportunity and am enthusiastically working in the studio on my three paintings plus a catalog sketch that will be available.” —
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