Joe Beeler was a pioneer in contemporary Western art. He was there at the beginning of the tremendous development of that territory in the early 1960s. The key event in Beeler's pioneering activity was the founding, in 1965, of the Cowboy Artists of America. From that association of like-minded people flows a stream of fine art works--making the exhibitions eagerly anticipated and commercially successful. Numerous medals and awards have been bestowed on Beeler's work, including gold and silver honors in sculpture, silver in drawing, and an Artists' Choice Award, all from the CAA organization; there aren't many artists who can claim such versatility. In 1994, the Arizona Historic League named him an "Arizona History Maker"--an award presented to a very select group of Arizonans. In 1998, Canada's Cowboy Festival presented "Living Legends Awards" to six individuals in different categories of cowboy culture, and Beeler was the artist honored by the Canadian group. Beeler died in April 2006.

Print is hand-signed and numbered by artist (296/300). Image with white border is approximately 26.5" x 19.5"; actual image is approximately 22.5" x 15.5"