Fashion Week Stockyards Style: An Unforgettable Weekend of Art and Connection
During the first weekend in October, I had the honor of participating in Fashion Week at the Fort Worth Stockyards, and it was an experience I will never forget.
Travel began on Thursday, when a friend joined me for the journey. We drove to Salt Lake City in the morning, then flew to Dallas/Fort Worth that afternoon, staying nearby with a few fellow artists. On Friday, I set up my space at PH Barn Door, displaying three original poured watercolor paintings and several limited-edition prints.
The day was already special when my brother and sister-in-law drove up from San Antonio to take me to lunch. Later, I reconnected with a dear friend I hadn’t seen in nearly two decades—someone whose boys I had watched when they were small. Reuniting and hearing about her family’s journey was truly heartwarming.
Throughout the weekend, I met art lovers from across the country and had the chance to connect with many of the Cowgirl Artists of America members in person for the first time. Sharing meals and conversations with these talented women felt like finding my creative family.
One of the biggest surprises of the event came when I learned that of the 115 artists who applied, only 15 were chosen to participate. Out of those, I was awarded Honorable Mention, essentially second place since the only other prizes were Best of Show and People’s Choice. As part of this recognition, I was invited to demonstrate my poured watercolor process during the Saturday night fashion show, right next to the runway. Hearing my name announced to the crowd and being introduced as one of the featured artists was an exhilarating moment.
The weekend continued with more demonstrations, art sales, and even a local magazine interview alongside the Best of Show winner. By the time Sunday wrapped up, I felt both humbled and inspired by the support of friends, family, fellow artists, and the wonderful people of Fort Worth.
This event will forever hold a special place in my memory—not just because of the honor I received, but because of the community, connections, and encouragement that surrounded me. I am already looking forward to the possibility of returning next year.
