East Meets West

How one Western art organization bridges geography and builds genuine community.

There are moments in your artistic journey when you realize you've been searching for something without quite knowing what it was. For me, that moment came this past spring when I discovered Cowgirl Artists of America and finally understood what I'd been missing: a genuine community of artists who understood not just what I painted, but why I painted it.

I'll be honest. I'd been hesitant about joining any artist organization for years. As someone who creates Western-themed portraits and paintings while living in the heart of Appalachian mountain country, I often felt caught between worlds. Too contemporary for some traditional Western art circles, too Western-focused for general art communities. Living here among the rolling hills and hollers of Appalachia didn't help matters. Most Western art organizations seemed centered around artists living out West, surrounded by the landscapes and lifestyle that inspire their work. How could someone like me, painting cowboys and western scenes from the mountains of the Southeast, possibly fit in?

But something about Cowgirl Artists of America felt different from the start.

I'd been following founder Megan Wimberley's work on Instagram for a while (okay, maybe "following" is putting it politely. I was basically a secret stalker of her feed), drawn to her bold, contemporary approach to Western subjects and her obvious passion for promoting women in Western art. When I learned about the organization she founded, dedicated specifically to increasing opportunities and representation for female Western artists and makers, I knew I had to learn more (and maybe stop being such a lurker and actually engage with the community).

Still, I hesitated. Would they accept someone whose connection to the West was through art rather than geography? Would I be welcome in a community where most members lived among the mesas and ranches that filled their canvases, while I painted my Western-inspired portraits from a studio nestled in Appalachian mountains thousands of miles from cowboy country?

Those doubts melted away almost immediately after I joined this spring.

The first thing that struck me was the genuine warmth of this community. This isn't a group where you join and then struggle to find your place among established cliques or hierarchies. From day one, I felt welcomed not just as another member, but as an artist whose work and perspective had value. The love and support flowing through this group is palpable. You can feel it in every interaction, every comment, every shared success celebrated together.

What I discovered is that being a "cowgirl artist" isn't about where you live or whether you can rope cattle. It's about a shared understanding of the stories we're trying to tell through our art. Whether we're painting portraits of resilient women, capturing the spirit of the American West, or celebrating the strength and character that define Western culture, we're all working to give voice to subjects that deserve recognition and respect.

The geographic diversity I worried about actually became one of my favorite aspects of the community. Yes, many members live in Montana, Colorado, Arizona, and other Western states. But each member brings a different perspective to similar themes, and that richness of viewpoints strengthens all of our work. When a member from Texas shares a photo of a sunset that inspired her latest piece, and another from Wyoming posts about a day spent photographing working ranch women, and I can share my process for capturing the resilience in a cowgirl's eyes from my Appalachian studio, we're all contributing to a larger conversation about what Western art can be in the 21st century.

The irony isn't lost on me that while I paint Western subjects, I'm surrounded by a landscape that has its own rich heritage of strong, independent women. The mountains of Appalachia have produced generations of resilient women who share many qualities with their Western counterparts—self-reliance, connection to the land, and an inner strength forged by challenging circumstances (my great-grandmother below).

In many ways, painting Western themes from this mountain setting gives me a unique perspective on the universal qualities that define strength and character in women, regardless of geography.

This connection became even more meaningful when I learned about CGA's signature "Women's Work" exhibition, which showcases the expansive and significant contributions made by women past and present in the American West. The exhibition aims to spotlight the diverse and influential roles played by women in building our societies and to present a more nuanced and accurate representation of women in the West. What I love about this project is how it teams artists up with women on working ranches, showcasing them as the multi-faceted contributors to the Western way of life that they truly are. It's not about romanticizing or mythologizing. It's about documenting the real stories, the daily struggles and victories, the moments of strength that happen when no one's watching.

From my Appalachian perspective, I see so many parallels between the ranch women featured in "Women's Work" and the mountain women I've grown up knowing. Both groups understand what it means to make do with what you have, to work with your hands, to find beauty and purpose in demanding landscapes. Whether you're mending fence in Montana or tending a garden on a steep hillside in Kentucky, there's a shared understanding of what it takes to thrive in places that don't make life easy. That universal thread of female resilience. That's what I try to capture in my Western-themed portraits, even when I'm painting them surrounded by dogwood trees instead of sagebrush.

The support system at CGA goes far beyond just liking each other's Instagram posts—though we definitely do that too. We chat regularly through the organization's app, sharing everything from technical tips to business advice to simple encouragement when someone's having a tough creative day. We receive invaluable feedback on everything from color choices to troubleshooting composition problems, and endless inspiration from seeing how other artists approach similar subjects.

But perhaps what I value most is the educational component. Cowgirl Artists of America doesn't just bring us together. It actively helps us grow as both artists and business owners. The resources available to members—from workshops on social media marketing to discussions about pricing work appropriately—address the real challenges we face as working artists. Too many artist organizations focus solely on the creative side (raises hand) while ignoring the practical realities of making a living from art. CGA understands that we need both.

The organization's commitment to authentic representation in Western art particularly resonates with me. As someone who paints Western-themed paintings from a non-Western location, I'm deeply aware of the responsibility that comes with this work. The emphasis CGA places on authenticity, respectful representation, and genuine understanding of Western culture aligns perfectly with my own values as an artist.

I'm already looking forward to attending more in-person events next year. While the digital community has been wonderful, there's something special about standing in front of someone's actual canvas, seeing the brushwork up close, and having those deeper conversations about technique and inspiration that seem to flow more naturally face-to-face. The "Women's Work" exhibitions and other CGA events I've seen documented look like exactly the kind of gatherings where real artistic growth happens.

The timing couldn't be better for anyone considering membership, because enrollment is open right now through August 31st. If you're a female artist working in Western themes, whether you're painting landscapes, portraits, wildlife, or creating traditional Western crafts, I can't encourage you strongly enough to check out Cowgirl Artists of America.

This isn't just another artist organization asking for membership fees in exchange for a newsletter. This is a genuine community of women committed to elevating each other's work and expanding opportunities for female artists in a field that has historically been dominated by men. The mentorship, the business resources, the creative inspiration, and yes, the simple joy of connecting with people who understand your artistic vision—it's all here.

Looking back at where I was as an artist six months ago compared to where I am now, the difference is remarkable. Not just in terms of technical growth or business knowledge, though both have improved. The biggest change is in confidence and community. I no longer feel like I'm creating my Western-themed work in isolation from my Appalachian studio, unsure whether anyone else sees the value in the stories I'm trying to tell through paint.

I really feel like I’ve found my tribe, and I couldn't be happier about it.

If you're on the fence about joining, take it from someone who worried about fitting in from across the country: Cowgirl Artists of America has room for all of us who are passionate about honoring the American West through our art, regardless of where we call home. The application deadline is August 31st.

Don't let this opportunity pass by.

Your future artistic self will thank you.