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Sharon Hunt, born in Knoxville, Iowa in 1943, resides in the beautiful Tepusquet Canyon some 17 miles, or so, east of Santa Maria, California with her husband, Bob; the fresh air luring them to the central coast in 1974 from Pomona, California.
Although Sharon has no formal education in art but she had early encouragement from the author, Laura Ingalls Wilder. Read more about Sharon's early inspiration.
Sharon only picked up a drawing pad in 1994; however, she believes no one is truly self-taught. "We absorb techniques and inspiration from everything and everyone around us. Everyday experiences influence us in ways of which we are not aware. Each class or workshop attended helps shape and define us as artists." Sharon’s primary focus is on women in rodeo from the late 1800’s to the present. With this focus Hunt feels an obligation for historical correctness in the portraiture, whether it is the finite detail of the tack or the intricacies of their clothing. Honing her skills with endless practice has only intensified her drive to bring to the forefront this piece of our history that has been largely overlooked. With her series "Those Daring Darlings-Women in Rodeo" Sharon strives to bring well-deserved recognition to these true characters and heroines of the West.
News from Baltimore MD:
This image has been selected by the Baltimore Opera Company as cover for its 2004-2005 season catalog and, also, for the poster for its production of "Girls of the Golden West" by Puccini. Puccini wrote this opera after he came to the United States and fell in love with the Old West and its cowgirls. Sharon and her talent were found through this website. Credentials/ AwardsSharon's artwork, marked § , has receive numerous awards and/or special recognition - a remarkable achievement, considering Sharon began drawing in 1994. 2005 § "Up & Rollin" Poster Award/ San Dimas Western Art Show, San Dimas CA 2004 §"Vera with Gloves" Cover Image/ Baltimore Opera Co. 2004-2005 Brochure, Baltimore MD 2004 §"The Vaquero" Honorable Mention/ Big Bear Western Art Show, Big Bear CA 2003 §"Daring Darlings" Poster Award/ Nancy Reagan Breast Cancer Fund Raiser/ Reagan Library, Simi Valley CA 2003 §"Daring Darlings" Second Place/ Brushes and Blues Festival/ La Purisma Mission, Lompoc CA 2003 §"Horsewash" First Place Drawing/ Draft Horse Classic/ Grass Valley CA 2002 §" Mrs. Ed Wright" Third Place Drawing/ Draft Horse Classic/ Grass Valley CA 2002 §"101 Ranch Triptych" Award of Merit 2/ San Dimas Western Art Show, San Dimas CA 2002 §" Prairie Flower" Award of Merit 2/ San Dimas Western Art Show, San Dimas CA 2002 §"Let'er Buck" Award of Merit/ California State Fair/ Western Division/ Sacramento CA 2001 § Body of Work Gallery Award/ Western Spirit Art Show/ Old West Museum/ Cheyenne WY 2001 §Series "Daring Darlings-Women in Rodeo" Four Artist Show/ Old West Museum/ Cheyenne WY 2000 §"Daring Darlings" Best Painting/ Celebration of Western Art/ Grand National Rodeo, Cow Palace, San Francisco CA 2000 §"Sisterhood of the Rodeo" Best Drawing/ Preview 2000/ Bosque Conservatory of Fine Arts, Clifton TX Sharon works closely with National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, TX, The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and the Wyoming Division of Cultural Resources. They have provided her with the original photographs that she uses for inspiration for her series "Those Daring Darlings-Women in Rodeo". Sharon and Bob photograph modern cowgirls in their travels to western gatherings and rodeos to be used for future drawings and commissions. Photoworks Gallery, Santa Maria, CA and Martie Helweg Fine Arts represent Sharon. She is also an associate member of the Women Artists of the West (WAOW). * Although, early efforts showed talent. Even when she was in 5th Grade, Sharon's talent was recognized by the author, Laura Ingalls Wilder. Read the Wilder letter. |
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Copyright © 2008. by Sharon Kay Hunt. All rights reserved. The contents of this website, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from Sharon Kay Hunt. Images may be used and/or reproduced only with the written permission of the artist, Sharon K. Hunt. Written contents, e.g. biographies of cowgirls, may be used for educational purposes only.
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