Sisters Rodeo releases poster

The 2014 Sisters Rodeo poster is now available in both Sisters and Bend.

The poster, by Dyrk Godby, depicts women's barrel racing, one of the most popular spectator events at rodeos. With his knowledge and mastery of the action of horses, Godby captures the pure athletic skill of a barrel horse and its rider spinning around a barrel in this timed event. The cowgirl aids the horse through balance and guidance. Both physical and mental communication between the horse and cowgirl are easy to imagine in Godby's painting.

A tradition of Sisters Rodeo posters, the backdrop displays the Three Sisters Mountains. "Our beautiful outdoor setting is part of what brings old and new fans to our rodeo year after year," said Tom Crowder, rodeo board member. "The mountain view makes our rodeo unique, and we like to promote that."

Godby included the brilliance of a high desert sunset to complete the drama of the piece.

This is Godby's second Sisters Rodeo painting. A Sisters resident, Godby is a Western artist whose paintings, drawings and leather tooling have made his work desired nationwide by Western collectors.

In 2009, Godby was recognized by America's Horse in Art, the American Quarterhorse 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.

Godby was pleased to be selected to do another painting for his hometown rodeo.

"Sisters Rodeo brings the best in the sport to the rodeo," he said. "Doing a painting for Sisters is an honor."

The poster can be purchased at Leavitt's, Sisters Gallery and Frame Shop, Sno Cap Drive-In, and Open Range; and in Bend at The Boot Barn and Desperado Western Wear.

Sisters Rodeo has five performances on June 11 and June 13-15. For tickets and information, call the ticket hotline at 541-549-0121 or 1-800-827-7522, or visit the ticket office, 10 a.m. to noon, 220 W. Cascade Ave. in Sisters. For information, visit http://www.sistersrodeo.com.