The Early Sketches: A Wild Horse in Her Mind
Before her name appeared in Western art shows and her drawings were mistaken for photographs, Lori Jones was a little girl sitting at a kitchen table with a pencil in her hand, trying to draw the horse that lived in her imagination.
She still remembers that day. Frustration bubbled up as her wild horse refused to take shape on paper. For most, that might have been the end of it. But for Lori, it was a challenge. She was determined to learn, to see better, and to draw better. That moment planted the seed for what would become a lifelong pursuit of precision, patience, and creative passion.
With no formal art education, Lori relied on grit and curiosity. Her high school art teacher saw her spark and encouraged her to keep at it. Years later, her husband, David, became her greatest champion, the one who pushed her to take her gift seriously. “You’ve got something special,” he told her. “Let’s make it work.”
By 2018, drawing had evolved from a quiet hobby into something more intentional. She opened a small business account just for her art and set out to make it self-sustaining. That single step, treating her art like it mattered, became the beginning of everything.
Finding Form: From Pencil to Purpose
Lori’s art is created not in the silence of an ivory tower but in the hum of ranch life. The scratch of a pencil against paper blends with the distant bawl of calves, the rumble of feed trucks, and the wind crossing the Kansas prairie. Her preferred tool, the humble pencil, gives her the freedom to work anywhere. She draws in airports, on road trips, or between chores on the ranch.
Her medium may be simple, but her results are anything but. Each piece captures a depth of detail that makes viewers stop and stare. The curve of a bit, the shine of a horse’s coat, or the dust suspended midair in a sunbeam all come alive in her work. Though they are black and white, her drawings somehow glow with color and emotion.
Lori laughs that she and David are opposites in all the right ways. She is the creative mind, and he is the mechanical one. When she sketches, he repairs antique vehicles, and somehow, the two worlds connect. Lori says that drawing helps her understand mechanical processes. “When I sketch something, I see how it works,” she explains. David, her self-described “CEO,” manages the business side, giving Lori the space to focus on her art.
Springtime on the Ranch: Teaching, Learning, and Calves in the Pasture
Each spring, as the pastures turn green and the cows begin calving, Lori’s ranch transforms into something magical. It becomes part working operation, part artist retreat.
During these spring workshops, artists from across the country come to capture the real West. They photograph cowhands at work, horses in mid-stride, and sunlight glinting off ropes and horns. They share stories, laughter, and inspiration, soaking in the rhythm of ranch life. The income from these retreats helps pay the working crew, but the true value lies in the experience and connection it creates.
Over time, these retreats have grown into collaborative gatherings that include demonstrations, shared meals, and honest conversations about art and business. Lori recalls one participant who used photos taken on the ranch to create a painting that later won second place at a major Western art show. “That,” she says with a smile, “was the best kind of full circle.”
When she is not hosting on the ranch, Lori travels to teach her “Drawing with Confidence” workshops. Her method is approachable and encourages creativity without pressure. Using her “lazy grid” technique, she helps both beginners and experienced artists find freedom on the page. She invites students to draw subjects that inspire them rather than following strict assignments. “I never want anyone to lose the joy of creating,” she says. And while her students learn from her, Lori insists that she learns just as much from them.
Art of the Cowgirl: A Moment in the Dust
In 2024, Lori took her pencils and her courage to the Art of the Cowgirl Quick Draw Competition.
For two days, she worked under the open Arizona sky, sketching in conditions that tested her focus. The air was dry and dusty, and her framed artwork had to travel as checked luggage. Despite the challenges, she felt ready. Years of quiet practice had built up to this moment.
When her name was announced as the winner, Lori was stunned. “I’m not a competitive person,” she admits, “but I really wanted to win that one.” She took home her first buckle that day, a symbol of victory and validation. All those early frustrations, late nights, and moments of doubt had led her to that stage.
Winning the Quick Draw did more than add a line to her résumé. It opened doors. Since that day, her work has appeared in prestigious shows such as Small Works, Great Wonders at the National Cowboy Museum and the Mountain Oyster Art Show in Tucson.
More importantly, the experience deepened her connection to Art of the Cowgirl, a community that, like her, values authenticity, mentorship, and the craftsmanship of Western women.
The Legacy of a Pencil and a Promise
Ask Lori what drives her, and she will tell you it is not fame or fortune. What matters to her is the satisfaction of doing something honest. Her art, her horses, and her workshops all share the same foundation: hard work, integrity, and a love for the Western way of life.
“There’s beauty in doing something the right way,” she says. “Whether it’s training a horse or finishing a drawing, your word is everything.”
Her story mirrors the very heartbeat of Art of the Cowgirl. It is about women using their talents to preserve tradition, build community, and inspire others. From that young girl sketching a wild horse to a Quick Draw Champion teaching the next generation, Lori Jones represents what it means to live artfully and authentically.
Ultimately, the West is not merely a geographical location. It is a way of being — one line, one horse, and one pencil stroke at a time.
