Ana Stapleton
acrylic on canvas, 2025
36 × 36 in, unframed

This painting was born from my recent visit to the Music City Rodeo in Nashville, where I was awed by the athleticism and grace of the female trick riders. As I researched the history of this courageous sport, I ran across a 1940's photo of three female riders at the Pendleton Round-Up in Oregon.

These pioneering professional athletes challenged gender norms and earned significant acclaim and financial success for their skills.

The photo struck me because it also captures the community the women must have found in one another as they broke barriers.

Click on image to see entire painting.