Dyrk Godby, a popular Western artist, has created the 2013 Sisters Rodeo poster art, an oil painting of a steer wrestler rolling onto a steer while his classic Paint horse charges ahead, doing the job it was trained to do.

For Godby, whose paintings are seen in galleries and restaurants in Sisters, the focus of his art is the grace of the Western horse in its working world. Godby himself has worked as a horse rancher since childhood in Idaho, Oregon and Nevada. His family bred and raised Paint horses, horses with pinto markings that have the conformation and breeding of the American Quarter Horse.

The opportunity to have Godby paint a poster of a sport and lifestyle he knows well was highly desired by Sisters Rodeo. His mastery of the movement of a horse in action is unparalleled, and his attention to detail in cowboys, ranch animals and gear is a result of his life experience. 

“He paints what he knows and admires, especially in the working Western horse,” said John Leavitt, a former rodeo competitor and Sisters Rodeo Committee member. 

In 2009, Godby was recognized by America’s Horse in Art, the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame Museum in Amarillo, Texas. He was also honored as the American Paint Horse Association Artist of the Year in 2006.  He has repeatedly received Best in Show honors and People’s Choice honors at Western art shows across the nation.

“I’ve painted posters for lots of rodeos, but I’m thrilled to death to do this for Sisters,” Godby said. “It’s fantastic to be chosen by a rodeo that brings in world champions.” 

Godby has been painting for thirty years, even while he worked on ranches.  His limited edition prints have experienced enormous success, often selling out to collectors and Western art fans.

The talented painter is also a musician who has performed with Brooke Shields, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings.  In 1997, he opened the final go-round of National Finals Rodeo with a song he wrote, Fly Without Wings.  He has released two albums, and now performs with the band Quarter Horse around the northwest. 

The talent doesn’t stop there. Godby has added burned etched leather to his repertoire, in purses, briefcases, wallets, Bible covers and wall hangings.  His artwork can be viewed at dyrkgodby.com. He lives on Indian Ford Road with his wife, Kanoe Durdan Godby, a former Sisters Rodeo Queen. 

The poster can be purchased at Leavitt’s Western Wear until the Sisters Rodeo ticket office opens in late spring. Sisters Rodeo has five performances, June 5, Xtreme Bulls, and June 7-9 Rodeo. 541-549-0121 or 800-826-7522.  www.sistersrodeo.com.