Gunnison Gallery is proud to have Jessica Howard as the guest artist this month. Howard’s beautiful watercolor and oil paintings pay homage to her Western heritage, telling the stories of her life of growing up riding with her dad, along with her travels to Switzerland, Alaska and Argentina.
Howard always had a pen or paintbrush in her hand. She was inspired and encouraged by her Gunnison High School art teachers Rain Bodine and Erin Vokoun. After a year studying at Franklin University in Lugano, Switzerland, Howard finished school at the University of Montana in Dillon with a psychology degree and a dream to be outside riding her horse and painting.
A journey to the last frontier of Alaska added vibrant color to her watercolor paintings. She spent time mushing Iditarod racing sled dogs against pastel winter skies. Then, Howard headed south to guide pack trips in northern Patagonia in Argentina. A three-month solo trip was the highlight of her South American adventures.
In addition to her paintings, Howard also creates handwoven cinches and pulled wool saddle pads with 100% mohair and merino wool as the base on her loom. Her tack beautifully connects the horse and rider with colorful natural fibers that puts the comfort of the horse first.
Howard spends most of the summer months riding her horse for the Taylor Park Grazing Association and storing up memories for future artwork. She feels that she is living her dreams from a life well-lived in the present moment. She loves being a stockwoman and being a steward of the land and livestock.
We invite the community to visit Gunnison Gallery and see Howard’s beautiful display of oil paintings, watercolors, prints, notecards, painted skulls and handwoven mohair tack, on display until March 31. Gunnison Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday at 124 N. Main Street. Visit gunnisongallery.net or call 970-641-6111 for more information.
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