Welcome to Artist Ride

Welcome to the Artist Ride! Artist Ride is an annual invitation-only event that is approaching its 43rd anniversary! Artist Ride is a gathering of professional western artists and western and Native American models from all over the United States who meet on the Shearer Ranch north of Wall along the scenic Cheyenne River.

Artist Ride is a family run event that now includes four generations of the Shearer family. It is a unique opportunity that offers artists the chance to capture the western life as it was in the 1800’s as well as daily life on a working ranch.

During Artist Ride, artists have the opportunity to participate in scheduled large production photo shoots with groups of models as well as to conduct individual shoots with models to gather reference material for future paintings.

Models

How are models chosen?

Models are chosen based on their knowledge and respect for their heritage and history. Their wardrobes are paralleled only by those one would find in the Smithsonian. Carefully studied and handcrafted, the details of the clothes they wear and the tack and props they bring are invaluable to the authenticity artists are looking for. Models at Artist Ride portray:

Plains Indians
Cowboys
Pioneers
Mountain Men
Calvary
Eastern Indians
and much more

Location

Set among a limitless expanse of river bottom, cedars and cottonwoods, Artist Ride offers a multitude of photographing background. The scenic river breaks, the Cheyenne River and the solitude all combine to make a one-of-a-kind backdrop that can’t be found anywhere else and affords the artist the opportunity to photograph exclusive material.

After the shoot concludes the artists use their material to create some of the most unique and beautiful pieces of western artwork. It’s pretty inspiring to know that the painting actually captures the emotion of the moment and how it really happened.

Many who attend Artist Ride camp beneath the cottonwoods along the river, mainly so they don’t miss anything, but also to catch up with friends and visit. That’s what makes Artist Ride the most unique, the people!