The American cowboy is symbolic of the Western frontier; he thrives behind the sepia tones of Hollywood films, lassos cattle on tin lunch boxes, and works from sunrise to sunset, embodying independence, resilience, and courage. He is someone that I deeply cherish and respect, and I am determined to expand the seemingly limited archetype of this American icon. With the driving themes of feminism and diversity, my artwork mirrors the imagery of the cowboy through digital photographs of a diverse group of women, who embrace this strength while challenging typical conventions of identity. These women are outlaws in their own right. They are my Desperadas. Each image was shot at various locations across the West, from the mountains and deserts of Oregon to California, and with every stylistic element chosen with intention. My love for portraiture is at the heart of this exhibition, using human expression as a vessel to convey a larger message. I want my work to communicate my love for the American Cowboy, to pay homage to it, while shining a light upon those who have ridden far and wide in silence, unrepresented, unacknowledged, and unreachable. There’s a cowboy in all of us, manifesting in abstract ways, and my images seek to challenge gender expression, celebrate ethnic origins, embrace femininity, and unveil the realities of brokenness to healing.
