The Houston Livestock and Rodeo is a big part of Texan culture. One big tradition of the livestock and rodeo is the art auction that is showcased for people to look at and buy pieces of artwork. The artwork is done by talented artists who have dedicated their time to create something award-winning worthy, just like Senior Katie McDonald.
Katie has been doing art ever since she was little; she says it’s a way to relax and express yourself. The rodeo has always been a part of Katie’s life, since she has always lived in the south.
“Even when art is a chore or it’s an assignment, no matter what, I always enjoy it, and it relaxes me,” Katie said. “My art making it into the rodeo a bit nostalgic for me.”
For Katie’s best of show artwork, she drew a picture taken in 2023 of a cow at a cattle cutting competition. She pointed out some of the main things that take rodeo art to the next level, like ultra realism and knowing how to use your canvas space. Another thing she said that makes rodeo art good is using bright colors, focusing on the lighting, and the small details that go into her pieces of artwork.
“I like how explosive the colors are and how much energy is in the photo,” Katie said. “A lot of it is, did you do something unique?”
Katie’s really good at managing her time, considering she is also a part of color guard. Since color guard is another way to express art, it has really enhanced how she sees color and movement.
“I would say it’s made me more partial to action shots,” Katie said.
As for her advice to other artists, she says that proportions matter and how important it is to get good at understanding them. “They love a really nice proportion,” Katie said. In art terms, Proportion is the size and shape of something in relation to another.
Katie has worked her whole high school career to get to this level. As Katie’s art has improved, she’s gained more experience and confidence. With that positive mindset, she’s able to think“Wow! I am good at this.”
The one thing Katie wants people to remember her and her art by is how much passion she puts into all her work. One of the things that makes her art so good is that she puts all of herself and more into it.
“It’s probably like about two thirds of who I am. I am my art, my art is me,” Katie said.
