‘Cowboys don’t really exist anymore. They are a thing of the past, the old west of memory, not something that we see today.’
Wait, what? Does that statement feel like a punch in the gut to you? That’s how I felt when I heard those words recently.
The West is Still Alive!
Does the world not know that there are still genuine cowboys? That the west is still alive today? That there are men and women who work cattle on the range from horseback everyday?
If you’re not part of this world, then it is very possible that you do not know… and please don’t feel badly if that’s you! I did not fully understand how much the old west is still alive today until I went to work at the Gang Ranch.
There are still cowboys, cowgirls, and ranchers who are keeping the western traditions alive today. They saddle their horses before the dawn everyday and work their cows from horseback. They ride in all extremes of weather, from torrential downpours to 30 below freezing. (And yes, they still wear yellow slickers!) There are saddle makers, silver smiths, and rawhide braiders each doing their part to continue the legacy.
In an era where most industries have become industrialized and dominated by machinery these men and women are keeping the traditions, skills, and horsemanship of the old west thriving.
If you are one of these men or women, can I please take a moment to thank you?
Thank you for doing your part in being good stewards of the land in your cattle operations. Thank you for your skill and dedication to working cattle and horses humanly and effectively. Thank you for passing down the traditions of the west and keeping this life thriving and alive today.
How can I do my part to keep the West alive?
These thoughts have been brewing in my mind over the last few months along with wondering how I can do my part in keeping the traditional west alive today. I am not a cowgirl or a rancher (though I love to ride and hope to help on our ranch when we eventually get our own cows). I may not be a rancher, but I have been given a unique voice through my art.
Through my art practice I hope to accomplish three things.
- To honor the men and women who do their part to keep the traditional west alive today.
- To bring awareness to this life.
- To document modern western life and to create a legacy for the generations to come.
Is the traditional west important to you? How are you, or will you, do your part to keep it alive for the generations to come?
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day by reading the ramblings of this artist! I would love to hear from you! Please send me a comment to continue the conversation.
Alexandra Verboom Fritz
A. Verboom Painting
Portraying the traditional west that remains alive today.
