"In A Storm", Original Oil on Canvas By Bill Owen.

"In a Storm" portrays an experience Bill witnessed in one of the  Orme Ranch pastures  at the end of a round-up work day in Mayer Arizona.  This 56 inches tall by  45 inches long  original oil on canvas  by Bill Owen is beautifully framed by a  large  scalloped and gilded frame. It's framed size is 5  inches tall by 3  inches deep.    The signature is  dated 1990 and displays the classic "CA" after his name. The CA represents Cowboy Artist which he changed from the S Slash V Brand in 1973. " Billi Owen 1990 CA, C" is bas droit.

Bill Owen was born in 1942 in Gila Bend, Arizona, to a mother who was an artist and a father who had been a cowboy throughout the early 1900’s. These influences shaped his desire to be an artist and cultivated his interest in the cowboy lifestyle. Having inherited the God-given talent, it was only natural he would strive to become an artist who chronicles the lives and works of the contemporary cowboy.  At the early age of seven or eight, Bill began drawing with pastels, beginning the never-ending process of self-education in art. Later, while working on numerous ranches, he wouldn’t realize until years later that those experiences provided him with subject matter for his future endeavors, and more importantly, first-hand knowledge. He knows what he draws, paints, and sculpts, because he’s lived it.  Although Bill was a “starving artist” for a few years, he did not consider it to be a sacrifice. When he was accepted into a gallery in the late 1960’s, he was encouraged, knowing he finally had an opportunity to make the leap to becoming a full-time professional artist, which he believed to be his destiny.

Burgeoning Success

In 1973, Bill was asked by Joe Beeler, one of the founders of CAA, if he would like to become a member of the prestigious Cowboy Artists of America. Initially, Bill declined, voicing his belief that the organization was more about partying or socializing than anything else, to which Beeler responded that was not the case; instead it was, and continues to be about the art and camaraderie between the artists. The end result was that Owen accepted Beeler's explanation and offer, becoming a member at the age of 31. In looking back, Bill acknowledges it would have been a huge mistake to not accept the invitation; membership in CAA has forever changed his life.  Since that time, Bill has earned a total of 31 medals and awards at the annual CAA Show, which is organized by Men's Arts Council and held each October at the Phoenix Art Museum. Bill has served as CAA President three times. He won the Men's Arts Council Award - Best of Show in 1975, 1977 and 1978; in the eight years the award was presented Bill was the only artist to receive it more than once. He won the CA Award in 1984 and did not repeat that until 2003, which was Bill's 30th year with CAA. This highly coveted award is decided by a vote of the active CAA members for the best body of work (a minimum of five pieces are required to be eligible), so although other CA Awards are extremely rewarding, the nods of approval from his peers this award represents are especially meaningful to him and he greatly appreciates them. Bill won the CA Award again in 2005, which was the 40th anniversary year of CAA, and for the fourth time in 2008, at which time he also won the first Traditional Cowboy Arts Association Award for the Best Portrayal of a Cowboy Subject.  Bill has exhibited at the Whitney Museum in Cody, Wyoming, the Grand Palais in Paris, France, and the Western Art Show in Beijing, China. In 1991 he was voted into the National Academy of Western Artists. In 1993 he became a member and staff artist of Rancheros Visitadores and was awarded the Frederic Remington Award for Artistic Merit by the Cowboy Hall of Fame. In 1996 the prestigious Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma honored Bill as their Rendezvous Artist. Bill was the first recipient of Express Ranches Great American Cowboy Award presented at the 2003 Prix de West Invitational Show, and his most recent recognition came at the 2008 C. M. Russell Art Auction when he won the Honorary Chairmen’s Award. For further information on the artist  here is a link to his website:http://www.billowenca.com/about.html