Shawn Cameron » About the Artist

Shawn’s oil paintings are a passionate reflection of a subject she's personally familiar with. Her family's involvment in the Arizona cattle business began over 135 years ago. A brand registered in 1885 by her great grandfather is reportedly one of the state’s  oldest on file. This legacy is continuing today as Shawn and Dean’s children carry the tradition of cattle ranching into the fifth generation.

  She credits the Lord, a lifelong love affair with art and a unique family heritage for her perspective of the west.  Possessing a deep appreciation for the true cowboy, the elements of his world become an inspiration for her work. There is nobility about him. As Poet Utah Phillips wrote about the cowboy, “If dirt were a kingdom, then he would be king.”  

 Artistic talent manifested itself at an early age and art education was provided through formal and informal settings. Several mentors were influencial but the early encouragement of Joe Beeler, Bill Owen and Robert “Shoofly” Shufelt proved valuable. Her primary medium is oil but she has worked in pencil, watercolor, pastel and clay.

 She obtained a Bachelors of Education with a minor in Written Expression yet was determined to take her art to the highest possible level.  Dean encouraged her journey.  Artists she’s studied with include Bill Owen CAA, Jim Wilcox, Dan Robinson, Bill Anton, Mark Daily, Jim Norton CAA, Ron Riddick CAA, John Coleman CAA, Matt Smith, Martin Grelle CAA, Bruce Greene CAA and Robert “Shoofly” Shufelt.

A water tower remodeled into a modern studio near their home, sits on the banks of the Verde River north of Prescott, Arizona. Horses are within a few feet of her door and provide an opportunity to sketch and paint from life. These studies are then taken indoors for completion of larger pieces. Resources are gained on family ranches. Her studio paintings include  men and livestock with vital connections to the contemporary ranching scene. Her family is often part of this story. Because of her intimate relationship to them, she takes pride in portraying them accurately.

 Several publications have featured Shawn's work including Southwest Art, Western Art Collector, Art of the West and Western Horseman. Her paintings have, also, served as the cover of Equine Art and Western Horseman.

  Art Shows include the Prix de West at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Heart of the West at the National Cowgirl Museum in Ft. Worth, Texas; Cowgirl Up! at the Desert Caballeros Museum in Wickenburg, Arizona and honored as the co-featured artist at the C.M. Russell Auction in Great Falls, Montana. Her work has been recognized in a variety of venues but one she's especially honored by is the 2007 Cowgirl Up! “Artist’s Choice Award”. Her work can be seen in Trailside Galleries in Scottsdale, Arizona and Jackson,Wyoming and Tierney Fine Art in Bozeman, Montana.