American Cowgirl

Mary Hale
Sonoita, Arizona

Mary was painfully shy and could hardly look me in the eye. I was photographing her leaning on the doorway to the 100 year old house on her property. When we wrapped the shoot and were walking back to the truck I noticed she had a shotgun in the front seat. I asked if that was her shotgun and she smiled. I said, “Mary, we’re not done. Get your shotgun and get back on that porch.” As soon as she picked up that shotgun she looked me straight in the eye and never looked away.

One of a series of limited edition fine art photographs from the American Cowgirl collection.

Purchase Print (Link to ArtsEye Gallery)
or call the gallery at (520) 325-0260 or email the gallery

Dale Evans
Victorville, California

Dale was most gracious and spent several hours with me. She was moved to tears telling me stories about Roy Rogers and their close-knit family. She said she didn’t consider herself a real cowgirl, but obviously others didn’t feel that way since she was dubbed the Queen of the West. I was deeply moved by her presence. She really was like they portrayed her in the old movies with a heart of gold.

One of a series of limited edition fine art photographs from the American Cowgirl collection.

Purchase Print (Link to ArtsEye Gallery)
or call the gallery at (520) 325-0260 or email the gallery

Shelly Mowery
Weatherford, Texas

Shelly was the first Miss Coors Rodeo and fought for equal pay for women competing in the rodeo. Shelly is a world class cutter and has a well know breeding ranch in Weatherford, TX which is considered the cutting horse capital of the world. She was one of the first female equine sports broadcasters and seen by millions every week.

One of a series of limited edition fine art photographs from the American Cowgirl collection.

Purchase Print (Link to ArtsEye Gallery)
or call the gallery at (520) 325-0260 or email the gallery

Kristin True
White Stallion Ranch
Tucson, Arizona

One of a series of limited edition fine art photographs from the American Cowgirl collection.

Purchase Print (Link to ArtsEye Gallery)
or call the gallery at (520) 325-0260 or email the gallery

Wilma Standard Tate
Nuevo, California

Wilma was a trick rider in the 1930’s. She said she always wanted to be a cowgirl as long as she could remember. She said she got hurt a few times but never blamed the horse. Once she got hung up and her horse accidentally kicked both eyes out of her head. She did Roman riding, standing on four horses at once. She also taught a horse to jump a car.

One of a series of limited edition fine art photographs from the American Cowgirl collection.

Purchase Print (Link to ArtsEye Gallery)
or call the gallery at (520) 325-0260 or email the gallery

Louise Serpa
Rodeo Photographer
Tucson, Arizona

Louise was the first woman allowed to photograph in the ProRodeo arena and has spent over 40 years capturing unforgettable images. Louise grew up in the high society world of New York City and attended Vassar University. She always loved the West and in 1960 moved to Tucson, Arizona where she turned her hobby into an award winning career.

One of a series of limited edition fine art photographs from the American Cowgirl collection.

Purchase Print (Link to ArtsEye Gallery)
or call the gallery at (520) 325-0260 or email the gallery

Brittney Holland
Weatherford, Texas

Brittney has been blind since birth. Her mother is a barrel racer and when Brittney was four years old she begged her mom to teach her how to ride barrels. So, they put head phones on her and her mom would talk to her on a walkie talkie and tell her when to turn the horse. So, she rides by feel. She says when she’s riding that’s the only time she feels totally free to be herself.

One of a series of limited edition fine art photographs from the American Cowgirl collection.

Purchase Print (Link to ArtsEye Gallery)
or call the gallery at (520) 325-0260 or email the gallery

Brittney Holland
Weatherford, Texas

One of a series of limited edition fine art photographs from the American Cowgirl collection.

Purchase Print (Link to ArtsEye Gallery)
or call the gallery at (520) 325-0260 or email the gallery

Mesquite Rodeo
Mesquite, Texas

One of a series of limited edition fine art photographs from the American Cowgirl collection.

Purchase Print (Link to ArtsEye Gallery)
or call the gallery at (520) 325-0260 or email the gallery

Connie Reeves
Kerrville, Texas

At 101 years old, Connie was still riding her horse every day. She taught over 36,000 girls to ride at a girls summer camp over a span of 70 years. She was a huge inspiration to many people. Her health was great and her mind was sharp. I asked her what her secret to longevity was. She said, “Well Honey, you just don’t let that rocking chair take over…you get up and go even if you don’t want to.”

One of a series of limited edition fine art photographs from the American Cowgirl collection.

Purchase Print (Link to ArtsEye Gallery)
or call the gallery at (520) 325-0260 or email the gallery