My introductory meeting with Steven Cawdrey went a little something like this “It’s nice to meet you Connie. You should know that I’m very skeptical and you’re going to have to prove yourself before I can think about working with you.” With an appreciation for his cautious nature and his uncertain skepticism, I knew immediately that this was going to be the perfect fit. I hope you will continue to join us on our journey, as we provide a glimpse of life behind the scenes of famous Western Artist Nancy Cawdrey and her family. This is the story of how my journey with them began.
As I arrived at the studio to meet Nancy for the first time, I was completely taken by the artwork that enveloped me with every step. I wanted to know the story behind each painting, sketch and masterpiece, and within minutes, Nancy is kind enough to start sharing her stories. Having studied in France at an impressionable age her appreciation for the simpler European lifestyle is apparent as she guides me through her small studio, which she sometimes opens to the public on summer afternoons. If you have the opportunity to stop by, I strongly encourage you to do so. I promise you will leave feeling inspired beyond words (http://bit.ly/l8qP5L).
As she continues to let me explore her space, I’m taken by her gentleness and the calm that fluidly moves with her as she explains her various techniques and what inspires her the most. Clearly she loves animals of all kinds. In fact, she just so happens to have a relatively large collection of wildlife miniatures that she uses to study with an incredibly developed eye for detail. These collectible plastic figurines have been generously provided to her by Murdoch’s Home and Ranch Supply, and I believe with complete certainty, that these little creatures whisper in her ear while she works. If you are a student, I encourage you to think about investing in these unlikely models. (http://bit.ly/lVZbkU)
The vibrant color that Nancy has become so famous for creates an energy that she somehow tries to explain to a complete novice like myself. She tells me that people sometimes ask “Why did you use bright green on the legs of that horse?” She replies as if the answer is completely obvious: “there’s so much energy in the horse that I can feel it, and then I simply paint the energy that I feel.” When you experience this kind of intimate conversation with Nancy, you feel like you’ll never look at color the same. It takes on new meaning as I now look at the simplest blade of grass quite differently. Pick a blade for yourself and you’ll see; it’s not just green, but three shades of chartreuse with a dash of sun splashed pink. She points to pictures of horses and buffalo and dozens of poppies, many of which were photographed on a recent trip to Italy. She delicately traces the light and the shadow with her fingertips, and unlike anyone I’ve ever experienced, she somehow manages to breathe life into these photographs with her detailed, impassioned explanation. From this, she will create a one of a kind piece of artwork that someone will someday cherish. For more examples of Nancy’s work, please click on this link: http://bit.ly/iOsbHo.
As I listen, it’s becoming more and more apparent that Nancy’s talent spans far beyond the canvas. I hope that you will join us each week, as we continue to explore the behind the scenes life of Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey, her husband and manager Steven Wiley Cawdrey and their son and artist, Morgan Cawdrey. In the meantime, if you’re interested in what’s going on at the studio and in the daily lives of the Cawdrey’s, please join us on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/koBtZ9. It is my absolute honor to be working with this family, and we look forward to having you join us.
