HAPPY HOLIDAYS

  As we celebrate Christmas and New Years, we reflect on some of the simple things in our lives, like the joy and love felt while spending time with friends & family.  Or how we appreciate the peaceful sounds and the beauty of nature that surrounds us.
  And speaking of peaceful thoughts and prayers, we just recently learned more about the origins of the kneeling cowboy who is with his horse, praying at the base of a large cross.    
  We thought we'd share a bit of the artist's story ...

 

TX ARTIST RANDY WOOD

  
   The kneeling cowboy.
   Perhaps you've seen this familiar image through your church, at an action-packed rodeo, or noticed it on bumper stickers and decals while driving down the road.   With a quick internet search, you can find many variations of the praying cowboy on western t-shirts, and other clothing items, coffee mugs, wall decor, and more.  
   Have you ever wondered about who originally designed the kneeling cowboy, and how it was started?

 The Texas-sized metal and wooden sculpture of the praying cowboy and his horse was created in 1998, and was originally designed by Randy Wood.  It can be viewed along hwy 287 at the Cowboy Church in Henrietta TX.

 

 

  The kneeling cowboy is one of the most popular and symbolic images being used in the western industry.   And it's an important representation of a cowboy's close relationship with God.
  When new WG artist, Randy Wood, first began telling us how he enjoys the Cowboy Church and is wanting to donate proceeds of his new Bison Wood Sculpture to the Church in Wylie Texas, we were impressed.  Not only impressed with his life-size bison skull carving, but also impressed with his generosity.  
   A few emails and phone conversations later, Randy began telling us a little more about his Cowboy Church connection - and his story.
  You see, he doesn't usually talk much about his famous kneeling cowboy.
 
  Back around 1995, while driving down highway 287 in north Texas, Randy saw a small group of people who were gathered out in a pasture.    Not fully sure why, he made the decision to slow down and turn.  At that time, there were no entrance signs, and no buildings, it was just a small open pasture with a small group of Cowboy Christians.  
  And Randy Wood was a complete stranger to them.  
  Stepping out of his truck he greeted the first man who approached with a friendly smile and handshake while introducing himself,
 "Hi, I'm Randy Wood, and I'm an artist."
  With a career as a full time mechanical engineer, he normally doesn't go around introducing himself as an artist.  Although he has been creating art for most of his life, he quickly questioned himself, why did I tell him that I'm an artist?
  But there was a good reason as to WHY he had introduced himself as an artist, on that particular day, to this group of strangers.
 
  For a few years, this small group of Cowboy Christians had been gathering together for services and meetings at other locations.  Sometimes they would gather under shade trees during the hot TX summers, or have church services at their local livestock sale barn during all types of North Texas weather.    
  Through collaborative efforts, and with member Donna Gee's suggestion of starting a church in Henrietta TX, the group had just acquired this parcel of land.  Their goal was to build their future Cowboy Church, led by former rodeo participant and ordained minister, Larry Miller.

   Their first artist had just notified them that unfortunately, he would not be able to create a custom logo for them at that time, due to his conflicting schedule. 
  So they were praying.  Praying for their new exciting Church project, and for assistance with their artistic quest.  
  On that special afternoon back in the mid-1990's, Randy Wood saw this small group near the highway, he stopped, and parked his truck.  
  And he just happened to introduce himself as an artist.
 
  Using a few of their ideas, he went to work, creating a new Cowboy Christian design that fit their visions and goals.  
  He used member Donna Gee's horse, as a live model.  
  Randy also recruited the help of his own dad for this project, using him as another live model, asking him to kneel on the ground and bow his head in prayer.
   Drawing out the scene, Randy Wood created the image of a humbled cowboy with his horse, kneeling and praying at the base of a large cross.
   And after the design was completed, he donated his drawing, along with his original copyright, to the Cowboy Church of Henrietta.
  Their church was completed in 1998, along with their large metal and wood sculpture of the kneeling cowboy that can be seen along highway 287.
  Since its humble beginnings, in what started out as an idea in that pasture in North Texas, the kneeling cowboy logo has been shared among many congregations through the years.    It has spread throughout the western states and beyond.
   Mr. Wood's design has indeed become a visually heartwarming western legacy, and inspiration for many, no matter where they happen to live.

   Artist Randy Wood is grateful that he is able to help others.  In addition to his drawings, he also works in oil, acrylic, and wood carvings.
  A former Wildlife Biologist, he especially enjoys wildlife, as well as western art. 

RANDY WOOD

  We enjoy working with these incredible Texas artists here at Western Galleries, and hope their stories may help inspire others as well.

  Bookmark your favorite artist's page and visit often, as we may add artist's news, and new artworks, at anytime.

  Contact Western Galleries with any questions.

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© Western Galleries Fredericksburg TX
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The © copyright of the kneeling cowboy is owned by the Cowboy Church of Henrietta TX, and is used here with written permission.