Life on the Ranch and in the Studio, and on the Road

Time is a fickle thing.

My Grandma used to tell me, when I was a teenager that time goes faster and faster as she grew older. I was a teen and wanted time to speed up! She was in her 50's and she said the days just fly by.

I couldn't wait to be sixteen and she was dreading turning 60. 

Now I am in my 70's, indeed time is flying by. 

Eight years ago, a collegue and myself embarked on a project to bring the Women Artists of the West to the Woolaroc.

Back then, we never fathomed it would take this long. Like that teen anticipating becoming a young adult, time stood still. It was frustrating. But we had a goal and hoped it would come to fruition. 

Time stretched into months and then years and we persisted. One or the other of us giving up along the time travelled, many times. Yet encouraging each other not to give up. We lifted each other up during the difficult times and finally in 2022 we got the nod that, indeed, we would have an Invitational at the Woolaroc. This was May of 2022. 

Now the real work would begin. A Woolaroc Team was formed. Over 185 women artists submitted and were screened by their websites. The theme of the work was suggested by Woolaroc to be westen themed. No problem there, as our WAOW organization had been formed over 50 years earlier by women artists in the western performance and show arena in Norco.

Screening began for over a year and 37 of the best western artists in our group were 'invited' after two seperate culling of works. We had selected our very best for the limited space we had at the Woolaroc. We were going to be exhibiting at the grand exhibit space in room 5. Much is weighing on this show as the 'Woolaroc Invitational' has a possibility of becomeing even more with a possible invitation on the even number years for a permanent 'Invitation'. 

The planning was set in motion and time seemed to drag on. We wondered if we would ever see the day we open at the Woolaroc Museum. The date was set for May 4, 2024-August 4, 2024. 

Time is now flying by and we are only 12 days from this historic opening. Events have been planned and 32 of the 37 artists will be in attendance at the Opening Night, Saturday, May 4 , 2024. The day will be filled with painters demonstrating in oil and pastel. Talks will be given about the historic Woolaroc, by the daughter of the architect, Dr. Cathy Jameson. A panel discussion will be held to discuss the journey of women in the arts. A talk about the history and forming of WAOW will also be presented by one of our forming members, Mary Ann Cherry. 

This will indeed be a momentous occasion with women coming from 14 states, and two countries to help us celebrate women artists. 

EeeGads! How can it be so close now? My grandmother was right! Time does fly. I hope we can all take in the moments at the opening to enjoy the time we have to spend together.

WE have had three special gatherings to bring artists closer together and introduce a few to Woolaroc. The WolfCreek Ranch was a mainstay for all of these gatherings in '22, 23' and '24. WAOW wants to thank Mark and Kelly Spencer for their support and treating us to special days at their ranch. They are very special to us. 

Come spend some time with us, Women Artists of the West at the Woolaroc and make time stand still for just a moment at least. 

Yes, time is a fickle thing!