Cowboy Lifestyle Network’s very own visual artist, Katia Von Kral, had a tremendous year showing her work all over the Southwest and Midwest United States. During this time, she also created some new pieces that some of you may have already seen, inspired by rides from some of our favorite rodeo competitors during Cheyenne Frontier Days 2014. The first piece, called, “The Joy and the Pain,” was inspired by Bareback Rider, Richmond Champion. The second piece that KVK created for CLN was inspired by bull rider Austin Meier and is titled “Ain’t Comin’ Home.” The third piece by KVK was inspired by barrel racer Sherry Cervi and is called, “Ride, Baby Ride.”
CLN’s Danny O’Donnell and Gretchen Kirchmann with Bareback Rider Richmond Champion inside the media room at the 2014 Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas, NV.
This first piece, resembling Richmond Champion, is a special piece for many reasons. Its name, “The Joy and the Pain,” comes from a lyric in the song that the artist collaged in the piece, called “Rodeo,” performed by Garth Brooks. All of the titles in this series are strategically chosen from the songs included in the artwork as they relate not only to the activity being depicted but also to the realities of life. Just as life is full of happiness and heartache, those bronc riders know that with the ride, the same feelings arise. The joy of the ride comes when you know the depth of the pain. Somehow it makes it all worth it.
Not only did the original of this piece, “The Joy and the Pain,” sell at its first showing, but the Cowboy Lifestyle Network also presented Richmond Champion with the first print on canvas during an interview at none other than the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada that same year. Richmond Champion was extremely pleased to be the inspiration of such artwork, and we have pictures to prove it! The originals of the artwork depicted here are 36” x 36” but are printed in many other sizes as prints for purchase. They are crafted in KVK’s unique mixed-media, collage style and are ALL SOLD. Prints on canvas, poster, aluminum or wood are available by contacting the artist at (480) 420-4ART and artbykvk@gmail.com, or by visiting http://www.artbykvk.com/shop-now/. Use CLN discount code BFLHMB until November 1, 2015, to receive 10% off any Art by KVK prints.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Peter Varlet’s the cowboy critic you love to hate, until he’s right. Born during a thunderstorm in 1972 in Bismarck, North Dakota, he grew up watching his WWII vet dad battle to save their farm from corporate claws. Now, Peter’s the unapologetic voice of Western culture, with a historian’s grip on America’s past, acknowledging both its heroes and hypocrites. His truth to power articles are a no-holds-barred zone for rodeo reviews, cowboy movie takedowns, and ranching tricks that work. He’ll tell you why your country singer’s a fraud and how to fix a fence with only baling wire and spite. Peter despises corporate factory farms taking over and cherishes the DIY grit of real Americans. Politically correct? Nope. Trustworthy? Damn straight. He’s saving the West, one brutal truth at a time.
