Tammy Pate was more than the founder of Art of the Cowgirl—she was its heart. A true cowgirl, artist, and visionary, Tammy built her life around family, horsemanship, and the belief that creativity and community could change lives. Her legacy is one of courage, generosity, and beauty—woven into every saddle, every song, every gathering of cowgirls who carry her dream forward.

Roots and Early Life
Tammy Anne Clark was born on December 19, 1966, at Fort Hood, Texas, before returning home to Montana where she grew up alongside her sisters, Tara and Stefani. Raised in Billings and later Helena, rodeo was central to the Clark girls’ lives, with their father, Gordon, coaching and ensuring they had the best horses.
Tammy’s love of art and creating came from her grandparents, Betty and Eddie Kunesh. From her Grandma Betty, she inherited passions for cooking, sewing, and finding beauty in the world around her—a spark that guided her for the rest of her life.
Family, Ranching, and Horsemanship
Tammy met her husband, Curt Pate, through rodeo, marrying in 1988. Together they built a life rooted in ranching, rodeo, and horsemanship while raising their children, Rial and Mesa. Tammy wore many hats: Miss Rodeo Montana, artist, boot maker, leather worker, ranch wife, and mother.
Her skills in leatherwork and bootmaking became more than a trade—they gave her confidence and security. Alongside Curt’s colt starting and horsemanship clinics, Tammy became known for her gift of hospitality, her ability to make people feel welcome, and her talent in the saddle and with a rope.
The Pates’ life on the road—whether working ranches, teaching clinics, or traveling internationally—reflected their shared commitment to horsemanship, stockmanship, and building community.
A Life of Creativity and Vision
Tammy’s curiosity and passion led her to combine horsemanship with wellness through Yoga and Horsemanship clinics, held across the country and even as far as Mongolia. She built a loyal following and changed countless lives with her thoughtful approach to balance, connection, and learning.
Years of attending Western events and horse fairs also planted the seed for what would become her greatest creation: Art of the Cowgirl. Drawing on her own experience of learning from master bootmakers and artisans, Tammy envisioned a space to celebrate women in the Western industry, honor master makers, and support the next generation through fellowship and mentorship. What began as an idea grew into a movement—one that continues to thrive today.
Courage, Family, and Enduring Legacy
In the very first year of Art of the Cowgirl, Tammy was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. True to her spirit, she fought her battle her own way and entered remission within a year. Over the next six years, Tammy lived with unmatched vigor—welcoming her grandsons Neo and Haize, teaching them to rope, ride, and love the Western way of life.
When her cancer returned, Tammy faced it with the same bravery she carried throughout her life. She passed peacefully on December 21, 2023, surrounded by family and the place she loved most—her cabin on the Musselshell River.
Her family, friends, and the community she built remember her not with sorrow, but with gratitude. Tammy’s spirit is woven into every gathering, every fellowship, every story told at Art of the Cowgirl. She leaves behind not only her family and beloved grandchildren, but also a living legacy—proof that art, horsemanship, and courage can change the world.